It is interesting that any “Citizens for Quality Education” would think that upgrading a school building would not upgrade the quality of education.

It is also interesting that they would compare student GPAs at Anacortes and Oak Harbor high schools (News-Times, April 22). On weekly trips to Anacortes High School during the past decade, I have seen extensive upgrades at that school while voters in the Oak Harbor School District have stubbornly resisted doing the same.

It amazes me that a school district whose per-student funding ranks below average in a state whose funding ranks 42nd in the nation can do as well as it does. Yet, Citizens for Quality Education still would refuse to bring its high school’s facilities up to par with those in nearby communities, let alone consider anything that might be above average.

A key concern of most families is the local school situation. Because of NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor should be a magnet for young families, but many of those families choose less-convenient areas where schools are a higher priority. Do we prefer the ones who don’t care?

Please give our kids every opportunity to have the kind of future we want for ourselves and vote yes for OHHS on May 16.

James Bruner

Oak Harbor

Utah school kept up better

With the school bond vote right around the corner I have some concerns. I feel the school district is again insulting the voters’ intelligence. If the school is in such deterioration and outdated then why did the board decide to prioritize the sports facility before the school bond?

It’s always the taxpayer problem to pay the district’s failure to maintain and repair the present schools? I understand that there has to be some upgrades, but insufficient maintenance should be a crime and a waste of taxpayer money. I attended a school 47 years ago in Spanish Fork, Utah. The community has grown 10 times in size over the years however; the exact same school still exists. This school is over 60 years old and looks the same as it did 45 years ago, however, it is in excellent condition and well maintained with harsher climate conditions than Oak Harbor. Until there are some checks and balances put in place, that protects the taxpayer, I will be voting no.

William Ludlow

Oak Harbor