Record South Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012 | Vol. 88, No. 23 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
INSIDE: In review, ISLAND LIFE, A10
Pay-to-leave incentive flops with SW teachers By Ben Watanabe Staff reporter
Justin Burnett / The Record
Langley Community Planning Director Jeff Arango walks along a section of First Street recording the presence of cherry trees in the right of way. Langley is working on a new tree protection ordinance and Arango is performing a tree inventory.
Langley reconnoiters trees for protection By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
LANGLEY — In the interest of providing a firm foundation for a future tree protection ordinance in Langley, a city official will be doing a little reconnaissance around town over the next few weeks. The Planning Advisory Board met last week and informally agreed an early draft set of rules needs a bit more work before it can go before the city council for adoption. To start, a tree inventory is needed. Jeff Arango, the city’s new director of Community Planning, is expected to spend time over the next month walking city streets and mapping the locations of important trees. It’s hoped the resulting database will help the group refine its goals and provide focus
for the future ordinance. Efforts to create a tree ordinance began several years ago following instances of large or old trees being damaged or removed. A subcommittee was formed and rules that addressed construction were developed and have since been adopted. Additional rules concerning other areas of tree protection were also created but are only now being reviewed by the advisory board. They address standards for the city’s overall tree canopy, a landmark and heritage tree program, and the care and maintenance of street trees. Arango recently reviewed the draft ordinance and See trees, A6
The South Whidbey School District will go through the full process of reducing its teaching ranks after an early teacher vacancy incentive failed. Only two teachers submitted their notices to leave the district by the March 15 deadline. Of the many requisites of the incentive, at least five qualified teachers needed to turn in their notices to receive the $2,500 cash bonus. Because only two teachers said they were leaving the school district, no one gets the money. District Superintendent Jo Moccia proposed the program to the school board in February as a way to curb future layoffs and unemployment costs. The school’s business director estimated 70 fewer students will enroll in South Whidbey schools next year, which means a hefty reduction in the school district’s revenue. The program was supported by the
South Whidbey teachers union, South Whidbey Education Association, as a creative way to avoid layoffs. “It’s too bad the incentive didn’t work out. It was a generous offer from the district to teachers who were ready to retire,” said SWEA co-presidents Val Brown and Jan McNeely in a statement. “Unfortunately we have only two retiring this year. It is difficult to say if a different incentive may have gotten a larger response. Our sense is those who qualified still enjoy teaching and aren’t quite ready to be done.” “The association does appreciate the offer and the willingness of Dr. Moccia to try something new,” they added. The teachers who submitted their intent to leave the South Whidbey School District have until March 30 to rescind their decision. In past years, the school district has released its reduction in force (RIF) list in April.
County plans more asphalt this summer By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
COUPEVILLE — Island County is expected to spend more than $3.9 million taking care of roads this summer. According to Bill Oakes, director of Island County Public Works, this year’s paving and oiling program will see the maintenance of more than 46 miles, or about 8 percent, of the county’s total 582 miles of roadway. Last year’s program saw less than 30 miles of roadwork, costing about $3 million. Oakes said additional money was taken out of the six-year capital projects fund this year to pay for the extra miles.
While more is being spent, Oakes said regular maintenance on roads when it’s required is actually cheaper in the long run. Delaying the work can be more expensive because roads deteriorate to the point that they need to be replaced, which is much more expensive. “It’s cheaper to keep good roads good than let good roads go bad,” said Oakes, during a recent work session with the Island County commissioners. There was some discussion by the board concerning cost. Commissioner Angie Homola supported the proposed work but See roads, A6