The decision of whether to use midwinter break or not for making up days lost to storms, floods and snow is never an easy one.

Unfortunately, it sounds as though a lack of communication made a decision go from reasonable to bad.

People on both sides of the issue – teachers, school board members and administrators – didn’t take the time to investigate the impacts of their actions. It was also poor timing as a large levy looms. I also have to add that an erroneous Seattle Times article didn’t help matters.

But it is clear that the school board needs to be better in tune with teachers and specifically the teachers’ union. We are all in this together and to create any kind of adversarial or uninformed decision hurts us all.

I am glad to see that the school board heard from their teachers and the community and I hope any forthcoming plans for making up the days reflects the general consensus. Not everyone will be happy, as evidenced by the uninformed rants on a few of the local Yahoo! groups.

As of this editorial, we have voted and the outcome is unknown with regards to the school bonds.

With the passage or failure of the levy lid lift by Fire District 38 commissioners, it’s time to put an independent study together to determine the best direction for fire services in the North Bend area. Let’s find an unbiased, nonunion-related person to put a plan together that makes sense. Options range from contracting with Eastside Fire and Rescue to contracting with Snoqualmie to the creation of a new department. Whatever the direction, North Bend city staff and the fire commissioners need to come together to fund the study.

Everyone is tired of the finger pointing and behind-the-back comments. Frankly, there is nobody qualified on the board of commissioners or city staff to put together an unbiased plan that gets taxpayers the best bang for their buck. Let’s spend the money and figure out the right direction – then live with it.

I urge mayor Hearing and the council to meet with the District 38 commissioners and put this study together quickly so we have a direction prior to any negotiations with potential providers of services.

This will be an interesting week depending on the elections. I hope you voted.