We have always supported the Maintenance and Operations Levy for the public school, but we believe that the current bond request is too much for our small community. OISD needs to focus on the most critical projects, then ask for a more appropriate bond, or better yet, a phased bond plan that considers current economic realities – a move that would more likely rally the larger community behind them.

When the county, state and many households are slashing budgets, $27,000,000 seems excessive. When you buy a mortgage, the total cost of the loan is disclosed – what is the interest expense on this amount?

In the January 2010 letter by Superintendant Kline, the mill rate of the 2010 M & O levy is going from .36 to .61. Add .54/1000 for the bond and you have a .79/1000 INCREASE for a total of 1.15/1000. I don’t think future levies will decrease and it’s a 25-year bond. The aging population means more of the tax burden will fall on the next generations. Taxes at the federal and state level are rising: the Bush income tax cuts expire; there’s a possible state income tax, federal VAT, etc. Add the Social Security/Medicare/national and state debts our kids will be assuming and it’s a huge burden on them. We need to look at the entire picture, not just our school district or our island.

The Vote “Yes” committee is admirably well organized and energetic, but their signs say to vote “yes” for Orcas schools. In addition to OISD, there is Orcas Christian School, Salmonberry School and Montessori School, which parents and community members work hard to keep viable.

When we vote to raise taxes, we aren’t just imposing it on ourselves, we are also imposing the tax on our neighbors whether they can afford it or not and onto people who pay property tax but aren’t able to vote. We are voting those taxes onto the next generations. Our big worry is the financial burdens we are putting on them. We are voting “NO” on the school bond – for the children.

Clyde and April Duke

Eastsound