Tacoma School District No. 10 Improvement Bond Proposition (February 2013)

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A Tacoma School District No. 10 Improvement Bond proposition was approved on the February 12, 2013 election ballot in Pierce County, which is in Washington.

This proposition authorized the Tacoma School District to increase its debt by $500 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. These bonds will mature in a maximum of 25 years and the money would be used to replace or renovate 14 schools in the District as well as other improvements in safety, health and energy efficiency. Details on what facilities would be improved and exactly what improvements would be done is available below in the Text of measure and Explanatory statement sections.

Election results

Pierce County

Tacoma School District Bond Prop.
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		27,935	70.71%
No		11,570	29.29%

Election results from Pierce County Election Results Report.

Text of measure

Language on the ballot:

“

The Board of Directors of Tacoma School District No. 10 adopted Resolution No. 1923 concerning a proposition to finance capital improvements to its education facilities. If approved, this proposition would authorize the District to replace or renovate 14 deteriorating neighborhood schools across Tacoma, improve learning environments, implement health, safety, security and technology upgrades, earthquake safety, roof repairs, alarm/sprinkler systems, energy-efficient heating/lighting, electrical/plumbing, and improved playgrounds, playfields and athletic facilities by issuing $500,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 25 years and to levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 1923. Should Proposition No. 1 be approved or rejected?

”

Explanatory statement

Below is a statement posted by the Pierce County Website to explain this proposition further:

“

Proposition 1 addresses safety, security, and neighborhood school improvements to aged and deteriorating elementary, middle and high schools district-wide. If the measure is approved, the District will replace or fully renovate 14 schools across Tacoma with an average age of 74 years (many built in the 1920s) and address anticipated student enrollment and demographic shifts. The measure authorizes improvements to nearly all District schools, except those recently updated. Proposition 1 will implement Basic Life Safety and security improvements, 911 emergency communications, ADA upgrades and accessibility, earthquake safety, roof repairs, alarm/sprinkler systems, energy-efficient heating and windows, and HVAC and plumbing upgrades to maintain clean air and safe water. Proposition 1 will improve learning and teaching environments, provide adequate space to permit small classes at elementary schools, replace portable classrooms, upgrade technology, and improve playgrounds/playfields and athletic facilities to meet current safety standards. The $500,000,000 of general obligation bonds would mature within a maximum term of 25 years and be repaid from annual excess property tax levies. Major renovation or replacement: Elementary Schools – Arlington, Birney, Browns Point, Boze, Downing, Grant, Lyon, McCarver, Wainwright, Washington. Middle Schools – Stewart and Hunt. High Schools – Wilson and Science and Math Institute (SAMI).

”

Support

An argument in favor of this proposition posted on the Pierce County Website and written by Stewart, Dan Barkley and Kathleen Merryman:

“

Renew Our Commitment – Yes! Tacoma-wide School & Safety Improvements. Every Tacoma child deserves an excellent education, the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential, and the best possible environment for learning and teaching. Prop. 1 addresses current/projected student enrollment, replaces/fully renovates 14 aged and deteriorated neighborhood schools, and helps maintain small classes in elementary schools district-wide. Yes! Safety, Security & Health First for Students and Teachers. Prop. 1 addresses life safety, security and health for all students and teachers including 911 emergency communications, intercom, alarm/fire/sprinkler systems, earthquake safety, roof repairs, and air/heating/electrical/plumbing upgrades to maintain clean air and safe water. Yes! Record-low financing and construction costs stretch funding further. The longer we wait, the more deterioration and higher costs in the future. Historically low rates will afford needed investments in nearly all neighborhood schools. Cost to the average homeowner: $58.24 annually or $4.85 per month.

”

Opposition

No one turned in a statement in opposition to this bond proposition by the deadline required by the county and state for inclusion on the County Website information. But Robert Hill and Ken Miller are among those who have spoken out against the approval of this $500 million bond. Hill argued that the district is spending too much money and should not be given $500 million more to spend. And Miller argued that the new construction potentially funded by the proposed bond proposition does not, in fact, lead to better education. Miller urged the school district to make better use of the buildings it has.

See also

• February 12, 2013 ballot measures in Washington
• Pierce County, Washington ballot measures

External links

• Pierce County Elections Webpage
• Voters guide statement fiascos show change is needed
• Like Robert Hill, Tacoma School Board missed voter guide cutoff