A $262 million bond measure on the May 20 ballot has passed in the Snohomish School District.
Final ballots were counted Tuesday and the results were certified Wednesday.
The proposition received a 60.45 percent “yes” vote, eclipsing the 60 percent supermajority requirement by 56 votes.
“We are going to be busy, but it’s a very good busy,” said Karen Riddle, the school district’s finance director.
The 20-year bond proposal will provide funding for work to modernize 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. It also would provide money for smaller building projects.
The aquatics center would replace Hal Moe Pool, which was closed last year because of extensive safety and structural problems with the old building.
The final percentage remained the same as it was after the last batch of ballots was counted May 22.
With the election results certified Wednesday morning, the Snohomish School Board was considering an architectural contract Wednesday night to get detailed drawings for the third and fourth construction phases for work at Snohomish High School.
School district leaders are eager to see Snohomish High completed. A $141 million bond measure passed in 2004 provided money for several projects, including Glacier Peak High School, which is scheduled to open next fall, and Little Cedars Elementary School, which opened in September. However, there wasn’t enough money to finish the Snohomish High School work.
The 2004 bond included $63.8 million to modernize Snohomish High. The current estimated total cost is $110.8 million.
Construction crews continue to work on the Snohomish High School campus with money from the first bond. Among other projects, they are building a three-story, 28-classroom building that’s scheduled to open late next fall.
The next phase will include building a new library media center and performing arts center, demolishing an old building and renovating the classrooms, gym, cafeteria and commons area in what is now known as Building A. It also will complete a new bus loop and visitors parking area. High school construction is expected to be finished by January 2011.
No other measure on the May 20 ballot changed as a result of the final count. A $139 million school bond proposal in Mukilteo failed with a 58.11 percent “yes” vote, while a capital projects and technology levy passed in the Edmonds School District with a 63.9 percent “yes” vote. A measure to build a new library in Arlington also failed.
While voters statewide in November decided to scrap the supermajority requirement on school levies in favor of a simple majority, school bonds must receive 60 percent of the vote. In general, levies are for school programs and bonds are for buildings and land purchases.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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