Issaquah School District Bond Measure (April 2012)

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An Issaquah School District Bond Measure was on the April 17, 2012 ballot in the Issaquah school district area which is in King County.

This measure was approved

• YES 13,476 (69.17%)a
• NO 6,006 (30.83%)

This measure sought to issue a bond in the amount of $219 million in order to help pay for various construction projects in the school district. The amount of the bond had not been determined by the school board in February. The Schools Superintendent had placed a $227.6 million bond on the discussion table, which would pay for the school's needs through 2020. If this had been the bond amount, the amount of property taxes paid by homeowners would be reduced as the previous bond was a larger amount. Though details were still being negotiated with board members. Proposed projects include building a new middle school to replace a current facility, as well as remodeling and renovating other buildings.

The bond amount was decided to be at $219 million and the school board moved the bond election from its February date to April instead. Those campaigning for the measure had gone to the school board and asked for more time, so the measure was moved to a later date.

Support

Issaquah School bond song

The Seattle King County Realtors had given its support behind this measure noting that the measure would accommodate growth in the community as well as fund critical maintenance and repair project for the school. The organization voted unanimously in favor of endorsing the measure, also citing the district's management record with previous bond projects.

The Issaquah School District also passed a resolution in support of this bond noting the need for proposed repairs for school facilities.

A group of local parents sought out Martin Charnin, the author of the Broadway play Annie who lives in the area, and had the song "It's a Hard Knock Life" changed to reflect the needs of the school and why residents need to vote in April. The parents hoped the song will help encourage residents to see the issues and vote in favor of the bond.

The Sammamish City Council voted in favor of supporting this measure. Members noted that repairs to the district are long over due and without continued upkeep then the district could lose its reputation as a good school district.

Text of measure

The question on the ballot:

The Board of Directors approved Resolution No. 997 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition authorizes the District to rebuild Clark and Sunny Hills Elementary and Issaquah Middle; modernize Liberty High; relocate Tiger Mountain High for expanded career/technical training; improve district-wide heating/ventilation, space, and security; make usability improvements to curricular/athletic fields and stadiums; and make other improvements; to issue $219,121,500 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 20 years; and to levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as described in Resolution No. 997.

Additional reading

• Issaquah Press, "King County reports strong participation in April 17 election," April 13, 2012
• The Seattle Times, "Voters should support school-construction projects," April 11, 2012
• Issaquah Press, "Supporters have yet to face opposition to $219 million school bond," April 3, 2012
• Issaquah Press, "Backers promise big campaign for $219 million school bond," February 21, 2012
• Sammamish Patch, "Issaquah School Board Approves Bond for 2012 Ballot - but Amount, Details Will be Determined During Summer," June 23, 2011 (dead link)