In February, islanders rejected a $26.9 million bond that would have paid for a new gym at the high school, a new track and field, new grandstands and a multitude of other, smaller projects at district facilities and the district’s two other schools.

The fall election came after months of planning and outreach including public, informational meetings and having school board members and the superintendent stand outside grocery stores to answer questions and address concerns. Turnout to the meetings was dismal, with no more than a dozen at any given meeting — most being district employees. Now, under a new board, the process is starting over. The school board will reach out to the public throughout the month of January, and the public needs to engage, not just show their frustration, questions or disagreement by voting, ‘no’ again.

After the bond failure last year, many islanders spoke about how they believed it was too expensive. The board has listened and come back with this current $10 million bond plan — nearly one-third the price of last year’s proposed bond. It addresses the high school’s water-guzzling field by replacing it with a synthetic turf field with no crumb rubber, the soggy track will be replaced with a rubberized one, the aging F and K buildings will get new roofs and upgrades, and instead of being replaced, the gym will also receive repairs and upgrades.

Islanders who have concerns or questions need to attend a meeting, approach a board member in front of the grocery store or email the board. There is no excuse to not make voices heard before this bond goes to election. Public feedback is not only being welcomed, but encouraged, and with public turnout at regular school board meetings averaging between zero and five people, the public is running out of time to speak up.

Vashon High School athletes and students are frustrated with the athletic facilities; coaches are frustrated, and members of the public who play sports or run on the track are frustrated. This cannot wait any longer and this bond certainly should not be voted down again.