It worries us when we read school board member Bob Hennessey’s comments quoted in The Beachcomber, “We are not deciding what we build. We’re deciding what the community wants to vote for.” (“School board bringing bond options to public ahead of ballot,” Sept. 30).

Good fiscal management suggests that the community be provided with clear explanations and priorities.  This is a good time for prospective board members to weigh in as well. There are a lot of people on the island with fixed incomes. That does not mean we don’t want good schools for island children. It does mean that every day we make decisions about “want” and “need.”

The financial numbers that are being presented are very high for a community of approximately 11,000. We would not debate the value of the numbers of students commuting from West Seattle, Tacoma and the peninsula.  This has clear advantages in class size and to the families that can send their children to a good school system for the cost of ferry tickets. But this practice brings in the question of scale. Will $32 million improve the quality of education for Vashon Island students? Are we building island schools or suburban campuses?

We shouldn’t postpone scheduled replacements and renovations. The rebuild of the high school campus was necessary, and we voted in the bond issue. Going forward, do we keep putting projects on the ballot that have been voted down in the past? Adding $32 million or $25 million on top of the existing $48 million dollar bond for the high school brings us close to the $75 million that was voted down. Can we see options that phase in less costly capital improvements?

This is an important time for island residents to learn, consider and speak up about the proposed renovation plans.

— Nick & Linda Bonazza