Last year’s $35 million February school bond failed. August’s scaled-down $27 million bond failed too.

Taxpayers sent a clear message to the school board: they aren’t willing to incur that much debt at this time, in that manner.

Meanwhile, the schools still have significant maintenance and structural problems; students are learning in buildings that don’t meet earthquake safety codes, that spout brown water from drinking fountains, that don’t stay warmer than 55 degrees in winter and that have particulate matter flying out of air ducts, among other issues.

Architect (and grandfather of two current Lady Vikings) Fred Klein is trying to get something done about it – island style.

Klein is inviting community members to take part in a series of four discussion sessions from March 19 through 26. His stated goal: “To reach a consensus on a way forward to ensure that the facilities of the Orcas Island School District are adequate to meet our collective responsibility for the education of our community’s children; and to draft a statement of the consensus to be published and shared with the community at large.”

The initiative is independent of the school district. Klein hopes to have the participation of 50-60 islanders, and said several school board members, the school superintendent and others have already registered.

“There is a broad range of opinion among islanders as to: How serious are these problems? How credible are the recommendations of “the experts”? How much money needs to be spent to address them? How much information is needed to make wise decisions? How much money are the citizen-taxpayers willing to pay? And how much trust is warranted to ensure that the funds would be spent wisely?” wrote Klein in an open letter to the community. “Today, we are at an impasse and the problems remain. What can be done to move ahead?”

He hopes to gather a cross-section of citizen-taxpayers committed to

reaching a consensus on a way to move forward, saying, “ such a consensus… reached by, say, 50 to 60 islanders… would reflect and embody the fundamental values, priorities, and wisdom of the community at large.”

Sessions will be held on March 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.; March 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; March 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; and March 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Those interested in taking part in the discussions can contact Klein at 376-5377, or email fklein@orcasonline.com with “schools” as the subject line.