LANGLEY — Everyone talks about the problem of affordable housing on the South End, but South Whidbey school superintendent Fred McCarthy may have a solution.

“I understand there are 100 homes being built or considered around Langley, not one of which will sell for less than $450,000,” McCarthy noted. “The economics of affordable housing, employment opportunities and access are complex issues.”

The district’s facilities use committee has been delving into the many possibilities for Langley Middle School and affordable housing is just one of them.

The district has made no decision on whether the school, built in 1935 as a high school, will be mothballed, or even when.

Or if, for that matter.

McCarthy said the school board is more interested in alternative uses rather than an outright sale.

Though the district is anticipating declining revenue from the state as enrollment drops, that could change.

One idea brought to McCarthy’s attention by the Affordable Housing Coalition is converting LMS to inexpensive apartments.

“It’s certainly an idea that we can explore further,” he said.

There are roughly 30 to 35 spaces on the 23-acre property that could conceivably be converted to apartments.

McCarthy and the board believes the multi-modal transportation hub planned for Mukilteo by 2010 could radically affect how people live and work on South Whidbey.

Mukilteo is at the convergence of ferry, highway and rail transportation corridors. One scenario has commuters walking on the ferry in Clinton then taking the train to Seattle and points south on a regular basis.

Coupled with the increasing use of distance networking via computers, the possibility of a surge in families on the island is very real; the sale of valuable school property now might be viewed as short-sighted at some future date.

Of course, property values are expected to rise as well.

Other concepts for LMS include expanding the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, re-siting the South Whidbey Commons there, creating a fine arts center, establishing a branch of Skagit Valley College, using the auditorium for the Whidbey Children’s Theater, converting the bus barn for general storage or providing parking facilities as Langley grows.

The Island County Fair Board has also broached the idea of expanding the fairgrounds onto school-owned land.

Talk of the future of the middle school hit a high note after McCarthy toured the intermediate school and Langley Middle School with the McMenamin brothers last month to see if either facility had value as a revenue generator for the Portland-based developers.

The McMenamins have a reputation for transforming historic old buildings, especially schools, into brew pubs, restaurants or even complete entertainment centers.

“We haven’t heard back from them, but it was just one of many ideas the district facilities use committee is considering,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said he was intrigued by the generally positive feedback he read in The Record and the Langley Community Forum. “The McMenamins are respectful of the communities they serve and the facility use committee thought it would resonate with locals.”

On the other hand, McCarthy has heard from local residents that they enjoy the presence of middle school students in the town.

“I’ve been told they like having them around, which is certainly nice to hear,” he said.

He pointed out that there are certain elements that would be costly to duplicate should the district sell or replace the school — the shops, ballfields, the gym and certain classrooms.

“There is no right answer at this point, simply alternatives,” McCarthy said.

Some Langley residents are encouraging the school district to consult with Langley representatives on the future of the school.

Russell Sparkman is on the city’s economic development committee.

“I want the superintendent to be aware there is an economic vision taking place in Langley,” he said. “He needs to be a part of that vision; extending the life of the middle school is to everyone’s benefit and there’s no question that we could be a good ally for the district.”

Sparkman and fellow committee member Lynn Willeford see great promise in the concept of a life-long learning center for the school.

“It belongs to the taxpayers, after all, who have cheerfully paid taxes over a long period to ensure quality education,” Willeford said.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.