Wrangell voters in October 2022 by an almost 2-to-1 margin approved borrowing $3.5 million to put toward a much bigger and more expensive list of repair, rebuild and replacement work at the district’s three schools.

The plan — the hope — was that the state would come through with several million dollars for the work. Until then, the borough would hold off on the project, waiting for the Alaska Legislature and governor to help out. It made sense to wait and get as much work done as possible at the same time to hold down costs.

It took the Legislature until 2024 to appropriate enough money for major maintenance work at Alaska schools to reach far enough down the priority list to help Wrangell with $6.5 million. Then, thankfully, unlike in so many prior years, Gov. Mike Dunleavy did not veto the legislative appropriation.

Which means the community has the $6.5 million from the state, the $3.5 million authorized by Wrangell voters in 2022, plus a federal funded $695,000 grant awarded by the state last year specifically for a new roof at Stikine Middle School.

It all adds up to a lot of roof work at the middle school, high school and elementary school. The money will also pay for some new siding, new windows, new heating controls, replacement of rotting foundation beams and a long list of other repairs, rebuilds and replacement items spread around the buildings.

The money will not repair or replace every worn-out piece of the buildings, which are three to four decades old, but it’s the largest work project at the schools in a long time.

The borough assembly last week approved an almost $800,000 contract with an architectural and engineering firm to put together bid-ready plans so that the municipality can advertise for construction contractors in March.

The schedule calls for the work to be completed late next fall.

Though that will be four years after Wrangell voters said yes to borrowing money to go toward the work, it’s a success story of patience while waiting on the state to help out.

It’s a reminder that good things come to those who wait.