My wife Judy and I have nearly always supported school issues when they made sense. When the superintendent offered tours of the buildings, I took her up on it and was shown through the elementary and junior high school buildings by the elementary principal and a school board member.

I agree that the elementary school water and HVAC systems are in sad condition and need fixing. When I asked why the board did not give the voters a chance to vote on each separate item, I was told that the board had worked on it so long that it was sort of “all or nothing.” I pointed out they may get nothing.

When we got to the junior high and the cafeteria-stage building, I found a hole cut in the roof to let water flow over the side of the building. I asked how the voters can trust the administration with $27,000,000 if that is the way they will care for the buildings? I asked why the bond issue was not split in chunks, since the board member said if they don’t use all the money they will pre-pay the bonds early.

As a registered investment advisor, I pointed out that all of the bonding costs will be up-front for attorneys, investment bankers and all of the other fees required and if the money is prepaid early, those extra fees will be wasted. A blank look was all that I got back.

I came away in a state of “shock and awe.” How could the administration screw up the maintenance of perfectly good school buildings? How could the current board and administration misread the economic climate of tax payers of this island? They just don’t get it.

Therefore, I urge all of the voters in the district to change those expensive little signs from Vote Yes to Vote No. If the bond fails, I will volunteer to assist the board in putting together a package of issues we can work with the community to pass in February and include a fund to maintain and take good care of what we paid for.

Dick Evans

Olga