Oak Harbor High School was built in 1972 (137,200 square feet) to serve approximately 1,200 students. Today the population is 1,800 students. A remodel in 1991 added 60,400 square feet to all five of the existing structures. All buildings were designed as single story.

Today our 30-year-old high school needs major repairs. The roof leaks and has a life expectancy of two to three years. The air-handling units are at the end of their useful life and not up to code required by the state. The heat pumps were included in the 1991 remodel and expected to last another five to six years. The water system leaks. Restrooms do not meet American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The electrical power system should be overhauled completely. The transformers have had numerous failures and are not U.L. approved. They are hot to touch. Not all of the buildings are protected by fire sprinklers.

Most classrooms lack power outlets to handle computers and phones. Technology infrastructure is non-existent and behind others schools in the district. The mechanical and electrical components of the building are coming to the end of their useful life and need to be replaced.

As the building ages it will become more costly to maintain. There is rust and deterioration on the metal doors and window frames. Corridors are narrow, doors swing out into the passage ways, and ADA-access throughout the campus is poor. The lunchroom is inadequate and requires two lunch periods. Asbestos and lead paint are throughout the structure. There are 172 entrances and exits, which makes security and supervision a nightmare.

The stage, band and choir rooms are too small. Science rooms are too small and do not meet code. Many classrooms were not intended to hold 30 to 35 students. Some rooms are too hot; others are too cold. The building does not meet current energy and ventilation codes. Seismic upgrades are needed. The building is old and deteriorating. The building has been well-maintained but heavy daily use has resulted in a need for major repairs or replacement.

The school board has selected three options for input:

Option 1: Partial remodel of the buildings. This would be bare minimum. This would not include expansion of the gym or a performing arts center. It would rely on temporarily housing some students at the old North Whidbey Middle School if we can get the state to agree to use it for another two or three years. This would meet some of the high school’s needs. It would not change floor plans or connect buildings by interior halls. This option adds no new square feet. The preliminary estimated cost would be $28 million (66 cents per $1,000 property tax) and would qualify us to receive $12 million from the state in matching funds. This would expand the life 20 years.

Option 2: Full remodel. This would add 27,000 square feet to include 12 classrooms, a performing arts center, gym expansion, wider hallways with exterior lighting for all classrooms and enclosed hallways between buildings. This would extend the life of the building by 20 to 30 years and satisfy all program needs. The disadvantage of this is that it approaches the cost of a new high school. It assumes that some students would be housed in the old North Whidbey Middle School during the remodeling years. It fails to resolve floor plan issues leaving a widely dispersed campus. This option would cost an estimated $38 million with $12 million from the state (88 cents per $1,000).

Option 3: A new two-story high school on the same site. This option would begin a 30-year life expectancy before any modernization would be required. This would eliminate more than 20,000 square feet of hallway resulting in savings on maintenance and utilities. As a two-story structure, it leaves more space for playing fields, parking, and other uses. It would permit a performing arts center and gym expansion, along with the library, cafeteria and offices. It would lessen security problems.

The disadvantage of this option is that our high school is a sound building as reflected by a building survey recently done by Hutteball and Oremus Architects. In 1991 the school district added 60,000 square feet to the high school, agreeing to accept a minimum of 20 years life cycle for the new construction. We will receive no state money to replace this space.

New construction would be going on with school operations for up to two years. A study would be done to see which buildings could be saved or used. This is the most expensive option with a preliminary estimated cost of at least $45 million in local costs plus $12 million in state matching funds (99 cents per $1,000 property tax).

Each option includes building a new stadium track, softball field and upgrading tennis courts and baseball fields. By combining these projects with the high school remodel, we would save $1 million in contractor costs, city permits and site work. Estimated costs are: baseball and softball fields $650,000; football fields and track $1.5 million; stadium, $1.95 million.

Community meetings remaining are March 19 at the senior center from 4 to 5 p.m.; and March 26 at Hillcrest Elementary from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please attend a meeting.

Contact aschool board member: Kathy Jones, Vicki Harring, John Dyer, Gary Wallin or Kathy Chalfant, or the superintendent, Dr. Rick Schulte.

Vicki Harring is vice president of Oak Harbor School Board.