The Vashon Island school board will meet today to make a final decision on the bond it will put before Island voters next February or March.

The board has held several meetings vetting the $70 million-plus bond package that, if passed, would largely remake the high school campus, resulting in a new 40,000-square-foot classroom building, several remodeled structures, renovations to the theater, a new synthetic track, a new secondary gym and improvements to the grandstand.

“At this meeting, I hope that we will make a final decision about the timing of the bond proposal and the contents of the bond proposal,” said Bob Hennessey, board chair. “This is crunch time, and we have to get it done, and we are going to get it done.”

The bond package could be broken up into two propositions — the bulk of which is the classroom and academic facility improvements, and an $8 million “a la carte” proposition to improve sports facilities.

Thursday’s meeting, from 7 to 10 p.m., will be held in the McMurray Middle School multipurpose room to accommodate a large crowd.

The school board members will use microphones so everyone can hear them, Hennessey said, and there will be enough handouts to accommodate a large attendance.

Hennessey said he’d received many e-mails from Islanders with varying viewpoints, and he anticipated lively debate at the meeting.

Stakeholders from various Island interests are rallying their membership to attend the meeting and speak, so it could be both well attended and heated.

“It will be an interesting event,” Hennessey said.

See final bond documents

Bond December 2008

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