Someone pointed out to me recently that this school year marks my 10-year high school reunion. Time flies doesn’t it?

Much to my amusement, I found myself walking the halls of high school once again this week. These halls shared the same purple and gold as my alma mater, but I wasn’t at home. I found myself touring Oak Harbor High School.

While it hasn’t been that long, I have to say things have definitely changed. Touring the school this week, I was surprised and impressed to see how many fun, innovative classes are offered.

I walked through classrooms where students were learning not just lessons, but trades. Students were working on cars, learning carpentry and metalwork and some were even learning engineering.

I had the basic electives — child development, home economics, pottery — none of which I’ve used in my professional career. Many of my peers at the time didn’t know what they wanted to do with their lives. I always heard in high school that you figure that out when you’re in college. That doesn’t seem to be the case in Oak Harbor.

We spent a few minutes in a culinary arts class where students were learning professional kitchen skills. I was told some of the students who go through the program already work in food service and have a passion for food.

They’ve already figured out what they want to do.

The high school recently went through an extensive remodel, offering more light, more room and seemingly a lot of encouragement.

The culinary arts class I mentioned had a full commercial kitchen, the auto shop class had a large garage with room to work on multiple cars.

Music students had sound-proof practice rooms.

A school of this detail and capacity definitely shows Oak Harbor invests in its students.

In February 2013, the Oak Harbor School District will be asking voters to approve a levy. The money from this levy will be used to cover operations and maintenance. If it doesn’t pass, school Superintendent Rick Schulte said the school would lose five teachers and 25 classes.

The elective classes would probably be the first to go.

There’s going to be a lot of public dialogue going on leading up to this election.

I encourage everyone to listen to both sides with open ears before casting their vote.

— Megan Hansen, Editor