Oak Harbor school district seeks community input on facility priorities

Oak Harbor Public Schools posted a Facility Improvements Support & Prioritization Survey on Jan. 5, 2026, asking families, staff and Island County residents to weigh in on which facility projects the district should prioritize. The online survey appears on the district homepage and on individual school pages, and the district’s news and announcements area lists the posting and links to contact information.

The survey is a first step in the district’s capital planning process. District leaders say community feedback will help prioritize potential projects and guide planning for maintenance, upgrades and longer-term capital investments. For local taxpayers and families, that feedback loop matters because facilities decisions shape future budgets, the timing and scope of any bond or levy proposals, and the kinds of projects contractors and suppliers in Island County may see bid opportunities for.

Across Washington, school districts commonly rely on community surveys before drafting bond measures or capital plans so elected school boards can align proposals with voter preferences and operational constraints. While the district has not announced any specific projects or funding timelines alongside the survey, responses will inform a prioritization framework that could lead to formal proposals requiring voter approval or internal budgeting decisions.

The economic context matters for Island County. Construction and materials costs have been under pressure in recent years, raising the price tag for building projects and increasing the importance of prioritizing needs versus wants. Capital projects also carry recurring implications for operating budgets and property taxes when financed through bonds or levies. Local contractors and suppliers stand to benefit if the district moves forward with construction, while homeowners and renters should be aware that capital spending can influence tax assessments and municipal fiscal planning.

For parents and staff, the immediate impact is practical: taking the survey is a direct way to flag safety issues, classroom needs, accessibility improvements or energy-efficiency upgrades that matter most to daily operations. For community members without children in the schools, participation still matters because school facilities are community assets and capital decisions affect the local economy and public finances.

The district has made the survey accessible via its website and individual school pages, with contact information and links there for anyone needing assistance. Participation is voluntary but consequential; higher engagement gives school leaders clearer mandate when shaping specific proposals.

The takeaway? If you care how Oak Harbor schools spend local dollars and what projects could shape neighborhood construction and taxes, take a few minutes to complete the survey on the district site and share it with neighbors. Our two cents? Community input now helps anchor priorities later, so the sooner voices are heard the better for shaping responsible, targeted facility investments.