Oak Harbor High School band students won’t have to wear torn and stitched band uniforms next year.

The district plans to purchase 250 new uniforms at a cost of about $500 each by next school year, an expenditure of up to $125,000.

Oak Harbor High School band teacher Brandon Nelson said that, in the band uniform world, $500 buys a mid- to high-range uniform. Spending that much ensures the purchase is worthwhile, but also relatively conservative.

A typical band uniform has a lifespan of about eight to 10 years, which can be stretched to 15 with proper maintenance and care, Nelson said.

Oak Harbor High School’s current uniforms are 25 years old.

“We have a a wonderful group of parent volunteers who keep them in great shape, so they look great even though they have sometimes four or five different styles of buttons,” Nelson said.

The purchase of the new uniforms was approved during the June 13 school board meeting as part of the K-12 music curriculum team’s recommendations for the district’s music program in the coming years.

The band uniforms are prioritized for purchase over the summer. A formal bidding process will determine the exact cost of the new uniforms. New music curriculum and instrument repair were also among the items approved within the curriculum team’s recommendations.