In the 1940s the island school enrollment was around 100 students. Orcas residents recognized the need to build a new school. WWII was over and education was critical to moving the island, and our country, forward. Voters had the vision to put their taxes into a new, well-constructed building. Almost 70 years later, the foresight to invest in a well-built facility bears out; the 1949 Nellie S. Milton building is still in use today.
In 1979, with about 370 students and an island population of 1500, a new high school, library, shop, cafeteria, home ec classroom, and offices were built. This was done when our country had high unemployment, historically high inflation, and mortgages rates at about 15 percent. Without succumbing to the fears that this might be the worst time for expansion, these voters had the vision to improve their schools.
In the 1980s with a student population averaging about now at about 375 and the island population at about 3000 people, voters again see a need for an additional building; in 1992, a new high school is built.
Now, in 2010, we are at a crossroads with regard to the future of our school district. We have buildings that have outlived their useful lives and are literally falling apart. We are not asking for grand structures or frivolous new programs, rather for replacement of failing structures that do not meet current health and safety standards.
We are committed to replacement buildings that are long lasting and simple to maintain. We’ve established an advisory committee to advise us throughout planning and construction. We will build based on a list of priorities. And, if there are funds left over, we will use these funds to pay down the bond.
It has been 60 years since students first walked into the Nellie S. Milton building. It took a visionary community to build a school to help our children reach their educational goals. We want the same for our current students and for the students who will be walking into this campus 60 years from now. Please vote YES for the Bond.
Tony Ghazel
Scott Lancaster
Chris Sutton
Jim Sullivan
Janet Brownell
The Orcas Island School Board
