We all lead busy lives and it’s difficult to make time for one more committee or volunteer effort. Sometimes, though, an issue comes up that inspires; sometimes the people that surround you are so full of energy and optimism that the process actually becomes … fun!

If you want to see what I mean, please join me at the Oak Harbor High School modernization kick off rally this Wednesday night, March 15, 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

I wasn’t expecting such enthusiasm when asked to chair the committee to pass the high school bond. You see, I’ve spent my life in construction, 40 years doing development and commercial construction projects. While I loved my work, it was easy to overlook the connection between brick and mortar and the positive influence on people’s lives. It was my job to take the dispassionate view, to objectively judge the costs and benefits of a project to maximize value – every time. In fact, that’s how I got involved with the high school modernization to begin with, I wanted to know the what, why, when, and HOW MUCH.

A group of 20 community leaders in construction, business, finance, and education spent several meetings this past year working with the school board to come up with the way to leverage the most value out of a high school renovation. It was our job to recommend to the board the proposal that best suited Oak Harbor and would get the most bang for the buck. Our research paid off when the capital facilities committee voted overwhelmingly to recommend approval of the proposal that will be put before the voters on May 16.

The plan is a responsible solution to real needs. When the high school was designed in 1972, construction was predicated on the assumption that a major renovation would be needed in about 30 years. Washington State understands this timetable, that’s why they free up matching money ($20 million for this project) after 30 years – to protect the state’s investment in infrastructure. When you’ve got 1,800 kids walking the halls, opening and closing doors, pushing electrical, heating, and plumbing needs to the max day in and out for over 30 years, buildings get worn out. Add in the technology requirements of the 21st century to classrooms designed for typewriters and overhead projectors and the learning environment suffers. Jam packed hallways, classrooms, and common areas, 72 entrances, and buildings that don’t meet fire, electrical, and earthquake safety requirements make the need even more compelling.

But at heart I’ll always be a “penny pinching construction manager,” and want to know why now, why can’t this wait? The answer is pretty simple – the need is not tomorrow, it’s right now (actually the need was really yesterday). On top of that, there has been double digit construction inflation these past few years. Fortunately, interest rates have stayed relatively low, but are on the rise. The high school must be renovated eventually – buildings get old, that’s easy to understand. It will never be less expensive to get this job done. We will never get more value for our dollar than on May 16.

Please join the hundreds who have already volunteered at the March 15 kick- off rally, 6:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium, for fun, information, but most of all – for our kids.

Rick Almberg is chairman of Citizens for Better Schools’ high school modernization committee. E-mail ohcbs@whidbey.net or go online to www.cbsyesforkids.org.