Some things are easier to predict than others. For example, when buildings – like most of Oak Harbor High School – are designed and built to last 30 years before major renovation, you can count on that prediction being pretty close. The aging of complex electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing infrastructure interconnected throughout six buildings makes forecasting exact component failure uncertain, but you can count on the fact that systemic failure will happen.

We’re seeing that now at the high school as maintenance tries to keep up with old systems, expensive, hard-to-get parts, and progressive failures. Washington State recognizes this fact, and that’s why they free up matching money ($20 million for our community) after 30 years – to protect their initial investment. But I don’t need to take someone else’s word for it; I’ve managed construction projects for 30 years, and I’ve seen it first hand.

Other things are more difficult to predict, like where and how fast technology is heading. The high school’s 1972 design can’t support either the electrical or the Internet needs of the 21st century, in fact, just finding the space for computers is a challenge. In today’s world economy, if you are not moving forward, then you are falling behind. Our students need today’s basics to be competitive in today’s job market.

While it is impossible to nail the exact cost of construction down to the penny, in today’s building environment one thing is for sure – construction inflation is through the roof, but interest rates are still historically low. Any more delays to the high school renovation (buildings will be 36 years old if this bond passes) will guarantee that Oak Harbor pays more and gets less. And while there’s a lot to renovate – the high school is the size of two middle schools and two elementary schools – doing the job now will still be $30 to $50 million less expensive than starting from scratch with a new high school.

The need is here, the price tag is only going up, and this job is overdue. Some may think as a contractor, I support the levy so that I can build the school. However, this project is too large for my company, and I will not bid on the project. I do support the levy and will gladly pay my share to see that our kids get the facility they need. They are our future. Please vote yes for the high school modernization bond on May 16.

Ron Wallin, president, P&L General Contractors, Inc., Oak Harbor.