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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Arlington library measure failing 5/21/08 • Preliminary election results 5/21/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Snohomish school bond measure trailing, but district hopeful By Eric Stevick, Herald Writer A $262 million bond measure to rebuild and replace schools in Snohomish was too close to call based on Tuesday night election returns. Elsewhere in school districts across Snohomish County, a bond proposal in Mukilteo likely failed and a technology levy in the Edmonds School District was passing by a comfortable margin. Here's a look at where each district stands: Snohomish schools In the first returns, the Snohomish measure received 58.96 percent "yes" votes and needs 60 percent to pass. "We believe this is good news," said Betty Robertson, the district's acting superintendent. Supporters based their optimism on March election returns when the same proposal failed. In that case, the "yes" vote increased by 1.6 percent from election night to the final count of 57.2 percent. If that trend were to repeat itself, the measure would pass this time. School officials will have to wait until 3 p.m. Thursday to get an update. That's when the Snohomish County auditor's office expects to post its next set of results based largely on ballots mailed Tuesday. Robertson said the Snohomish bond committee included 1,500 volunteers who logged more than 7,000 hours trying to get the message out to voters. The 20-year bond proposal would provide funding for work to renovate Snohomish High School, renovate and expand Valley View Middle School, expand Centennial Middle School, replace Machias and Riverview elementary schools, build a new aquatics center for school and community use and improve technology. Cost to the taxpayer of the bond is estimated at 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and could decrease with new development, school officials said. The owner of a $400,000 home would pay $76 a year at that rate. However, by the time tax money would be collected, a bus levy that assesses 22 cents per $1,000 of value will have expired. That means the overall school tax rate when combining school levies and bonds would remain unchanged at $4.45 per $1,000 for 2009 collections, according to school district estimates. Mukilteo schools A $139 million bond measure in Mukilteo received a 56.75 percent "yes" vote, falling short of the 60 percent needed to pass. "It's an uphill climb." said Andy Muntz, a school district spokesman. That means work will begin in earnest to find classroom space for students. The district will form a committee of staff and parents who will consider drawing new school boundaries to better balance enrollment across the district. The advisory panel also will consider other options, such as staggering starting times to make more room for students. "Everything is on the table," Muntz said. Voters rejected the same measure in February with a 55.2 percent "yes" vote. The measure would renovate Mukilteo and Discovery elementary schools; build a new elementary school near Lake Stickney; fix athletic facilities and fields at middle schools and at Kamiak and Mariner high schools, including Goddard Stadium; buy land for buildings in the future; improve classrooms across the district; and build classrooms to replace portables at ACES, the district's alternative high school in south Everett. Edmonds schools Voters in the Edmonds School District were approving a technology and capital facilities levy that would replace one that is expiring. The election night total was a 63.07 percent "yes" vote. It needs a simple majority to pass. "We appreciate the support we have received from our voters," said Debbie Jakala, a school district spokeswoman. "Clearly we will be able to continue the student learning that's associated with having this technology in the classroom and make the safety improvements in those buildings." The proposed $31.5 million levy is expected to cost residents 28 cents per $1,000 of their property's assessed value. The owner of a $400,000 home would pay $112 each year. The expiring $44 million levy costs voters 52 cents per $1,000 of the assessed value. The new levy would help replace outdated computers and buy laptops for classroom use. Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or e-mail stevick@heraldnet.com.

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