Senator Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, has secured $1 million dollars in capital funds to be used for vital improvements to the Orcas Island public schools. Working with the Orcas Island School District Administration and School Board, Ranker recognized there are essential repairs needed to the public school buildings.

“At a time when capital funds are increasingly scarce, I am particularly proud to secure $1,000,000 for the Orcas Island School District for critical repairs and upgrades that will increase longevity of our school buildings while making them more energy efficient and safer for our children,” Ranker said. “In the end, it was the community support for our schools through levies and private donations that made the difference. It is always easier to secure state capital funds when the community is also doing their part. Thanks to the Orcas Island community for making it easier to do something good.”

Superintendent Barbara Kline is thrilled that the OISD will be receiving this new funding.

“We need to make repairs to our schools, and this relieves us of having to ask our community for a million dollars for those renovations,” she said.

A majority of the funds will be used to replace the failing siding on the high school, as well as possibly making some repairs to the old gym and the Waldron School.

“This is fantastic news for the district,” Kline said.” We appreciate the incredible support Senator Ranker gives to our schools, and to public education in general.”

In addition to the funding for Orcas Island schools, Senator Ranker also secured $42 million for other capital projects in the 40th district.  This will create approximately 420 jobs in San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties.