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Veterinary milestone Orcas Animal Shelter reaches a big number Page 9
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WEDNESDAY, August 22, 2012 n VOL. 45, NO. 34 n 75¢
The grand old fair
School puts $11.9 million bond on ballot by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Cali Bagby and Colleen Smith Armstrong/staff photos
Top left: Sierra Dawson of Orcas Island competing in the San Juan County Fair. Top right: Christian Bailey participating in the guinea pig races. Lower left: Prize-winning vegetables. Lower right: Kids having fun with the soap and bubble machine.
I
t was a wild four days of competition, sun, fried food and amusement rides at the San Juan County Fair last week. In political news, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) addressed local Democrats at the fair on Friday. Cantwell recalled she was back where it all began in 2000, when she first ran for the Senate against Slade Gorton. A few months later, she won that underdog campaign by 229 votes. Twelve years later, in the 2012 primary, she out-polled Republican Sen. Michael Baumgartner by more than 352,000 votes, a margin of over 25 points in the eight-candidate primary. Cantwell greeted supporters individually before delivering brief remarks reassuring voters that local issues are on her mind. From honorable mention to grand champion, islanders shone in a myriad of fair categories. Whether you are young or old, let us know how you did. Send your photos and ribbon information to editor@islandssounder.com.
It’s been a long time coming. After two failed bond measures, the school is hoping its new $11.9 million building renovation plan will win over Orcas Island voters. “This is not just an obligation, this is the most accountable way to use funds,” said Clyde Duke, who was vocal about his lack of support of the previous bond measures. He served on a committee of local contractors who helped shape a new direction for the middle school buildings, which are in most need of repair. “This is now something that the community will understand and live with. It meets the needs of the staff, students and the community,” Duke said. The architectural firm Mahlum has designed a concept that keeps the existing foundation and calls for extensive remodel work in the middle school, library and cafeteria. In addition, a satellite building will be constructed for tech education. That site will also be used to house students during the school year when construction is taking place, which Mahlum architect Butch Reifert says will eliminate the expense of portable classrooms. As superintendent Barbara Kline put it: the buildings constructed in the 1980s are falling apart. The current issues are rotting siding, little insulation, a heating system that is in disrepair and structures that don’t meet ADA or seismic code requirements. Reifert also wants the rooms to be open and full of light. “There are a lot of studies about the impact of daylight and its relationship to teaching and learning,” he said. The $11.9 million bond is for 20 years. The terms are 26 cents per thousand. The bond interest rate will be determined when they are sold, but the school is currently estimating 4 percent. If approved in November, the tax will go into
effect in 2013, but the bonds can be sold as soon as the measure is approved. “Interest rates are at an all-time low right now,” Duke said. “We need to take advantage of that.”
The history The school’s initial bond, for $35 million, was put before voters in February 2010. The resolution earned 55 percent support, shy of the 60 percent super majority needed for approval. The school board reduced the project’s scope in the hope it would garner more votes. Six months later, in August 2010, voters rejected a $27 million bond. The vote was 1,059 yes, 1,234 no. Letters to the Sounder evidenced a hot debate. Many said the monthly cost was within reason and thought the bond amount necessary, urging support. Some balked at the enormity of the bond during tough economic times, and
See SCHOOL, Page 6
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