To the editor:

A levy is a short-term tax collection usually for maintenance and operations to keep our school functioning. A bond, however, is a long-term commitment for capital improvements costing taxpayers principal and interest and should be completely scrutinized for all the facts.

Our school board has slipped maintenance items into the 20-year proposed bond measure such as $1.4 million to paint and roughly $700,000 to resurface the track, to name two. It is not fiscally responsible to be paying interest on these items long after their seven-to-

10-year lifespan has expired.

The new construction proposed in this bond is an architectural estimate, not a construction bid, and does not have site-plan approval. Considering we have heard estimates up to $43 million for construction, and that a new heating system costs nearly

$5 million, it is difficult to believe a two-story building, a new gym and an artificial-turf field can all be constructed for $15 million.

This $25 million bond does not stipulate $10 million for repairs and $15 million for new construction, and is therefore a “blank check” to the district. You can see the bond measure in its full context via the Internet through the Island County auditor; click on elections.

It is difficult to understand why new facilities are needed at South Whidbey High School when the district states it can accommodate 1,097 students, and consolidation will only place about 825 students on this campus. It is further difficult to comprehend why the school board states it is important to keep the younger students separated, when the students will intermix on the bus and cross through the high school campus for band, drama and the cafeteria.

There are many more issues needing to be resolved pertaining to the future of Langley Middle School.

Considering the state Department of Health septic permit is for a total of 600 students and staff at the elementary campus, and it has been operating above the permitted number, it is time to reduce the stress on this 40-year-old system. Continued use at or above this permitted capacity may not be prudent. Students should be moved to LMS with its capacity for more than 900 students and the benefit of the city sewer.

If the value of building a new gym is $10 million, I do not see the fiscal responsibility of closing a school with three gyms which is the equivalent of a $30 million loss to the taxpayers, without even considering the loss of the shop, auditorium, science classes and ballfields.

This issue is dividing this community at a time when we should be united. Therefore, if this bond passes, I, as a good American, will stand behind the decision of our community. However, if this bond fails, I hope our school board will in the same spirit join our community and propose the better plan.

Damian Greene

Clinton