There are several groups of islanders that I would like to speak to with special encouragement to vote “yes” on the Orcas school bond. These three groups are the senior islanders without school age children, my peer group; more affluent islanders, and working families with children struggling to meet financial obligations.

We seniors benefited from an education when we were young, and now it is our turn to support education for the next generation. Some say that “we don’t need good buildings for good education,” or “we didn’t need that stuff when I went to school.” However, times have changed since we went to school. This generation of students is being challenged to prepare for participation in a competitive, high tech, global economy that requires infrastructure far beyond what we needed. We should provide what is needed now.

I hear some of our most comfortable islanders complaining of the costs that they will bear when the bond passes. It is true that an assessment to pay for this bond is based on property value. Islanders who have purchased expensive property and built correspondingly expensive homes should expect to pay their fair share. This is your moment to step up and participate in building strong community and to be glad to do so.

The final group that I would like to speak to is the working island families that struggle with financial obligations. I have raised a family myself, and I do not discount the financial challenges that you face. However, when people say, “when the bond passes I may have to leave the island,” that may be an exaggeration. The fact is that even when the school bond passes, the school assessment rate for San Juan County will be one of the lowest rates in the state. So, those who leave may face a greater burden elsewhere.

I would like to invite all members of our community to join me: vote “yes” for the Orcas School bond.

Libby Blackwell

Orcas