The following is a release from the Lake Washington School District:
Initial returns from King County Elections indicate Lake Washington School District’s Proposition 1 is likely to pass. Today’s returns show 65.40 percent voting to approve the measure. These initial returns surpass the required supermajority needed (60 percent) by enough ballots that the measure is likely to remain passing through the final vote tally.
“We are truly grateful for the support for education from our communities,” said Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent. “It has been a true community effort. I want to recognize the efforts of the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, a group of parents, staff and community members who have worked tirelessly on behalf of students and this measure. They are amazing advocates for students, families and our community.”
“In addition, many community leaders, elected officials from both parties, citizens, businesses, organizations, staff members, parents, family members and students supported the measure. I cannot thank everyone enough for their efforts on behalf of our students. Now we can start to move forward to address overcrowding and improve our schools.”
The district has grown by over 3200 students in the last five years. Growth is projected to continue. Enrollment will reach over 30,000 students by 2020-21. It will pass 32,000 students by 2029-30. To meet these growing needs for classroom space, the district’s board of directors voted to place a bond measure on the April 26 ballot. This measure, for $398 million in 20-year bonds, will fund the most immediate, high priority needs.
The measure will build one new middle school and two new elementary schools and will rebuild and enlarge three schools (Juanita High School, Kirk and Mead Elementary Schools). It will also replace the Explorer Community School classrooms and refurbish the Old Redmond Schoolhouse for use by preschool classes.
The first projects scheduled to be completed with funding from the measure will be the new modular buildings for Explorer Community School, to be completed by fall 2017, and the two new elementary schools, which will open in the fall of 2018.
The projects are among those identified by the district’s Long Term Facilities Planning Task Force. This citizen-based 63-member group spent nearly a year analyzing the district’s facility needs, engaging the community and developing recommendations. They identified specific construction projects needed through the 2029-30 school year as well as strategies for efficient and cost-effective facility designs. This bond is part of a long-term plan to fund those projects.
