After months of debate amongst each other – and in our letters section – Orcas voters are being presented with an option to vote yay or nay for the school bond.

Ballots were mailed last week for the Aug. 17 election.

When the initiative was first presented in February, we supported it. But when it did not quite make the super majority required to pass, we and many community members suggested the school trim the proposal down – and it has.

We are now voting on a $27 million bond, which is a 20 percent reduction. The new project does not include work on the track and field and tennis courts, new elementary building windows, or a new fitness room in the high school. It also reduced the scope of repairs to the Old Gym, and cut the furniture, fixtures, and equipment budget by about half.

What it will include is replacing the middle school buildings, which houses the cafeteria, woodshop, library, music room and other classrooms, and make major repairs to the elementary and high schools. The bond would also pay for construction of a vocational education building to house the current programs Orcas School is offering.

So why do we support the school bond?

Because it is a well researched project that will provide long-lasting, safe buildings for our children. The school board spent years drafting this plan, and has held coffee get-togethers, barbecues, and forums to talk with the community and answer questions. We’ve heard their rationale, and we think it’s sound.

We are also trusting the administration to ensure that our money is used wisely, unlike previous bond projects that resulted in poorly constructed buildings that were not properly maintained.

Mahlum Architects, an outstanding Seattle firm, has designed the proposal. The board created a “Capital Projects Advisory Committee,” which will monitor the progress of the bond and provide input. The board also passed two resolutions: the elements of the project will be prioritized, so that bond spending will focus on components that are most important to the school and community; and any money left over will be used to pay down the bond and reduce the overall cost to the community. Plus, the district has hired a facilities manager who is developing a maintenance plan for the campus.

This all sounds dandy, so now comes the critical part: money.

The term of the $27 million bond is 25 years. The rate is 54 cents per $1000 assessment. In 2005, the community passed a bond that was 52 cents per $1000. This is only two cents more. For a $400,000 house, the total bill is $216 per year.

We think this is a very doable number.

The bond was rejected by just a slim margin last time around. We hope that gap closes in this election, so the project can move forward.

This is a community that is known for its generosity. We give large sums of money to our non-profits, whether it’s for animals, children, or seniors. Admittedly, that is voluntary, not taxed, but the idea is the same. Aren’t we a community who supports and sustains that which is dear to us? And what could be more important than our kids?