In a unanimous decision during the Edmonds School Board meeting Tuesday, the district’s board of directors approved two propositions for voter consideration in a special election on Feb. 13, 2024.
The measures include:
Proposition 1: School Construction Bond
The proposed projects for the school construction bond include completing Oak Heights Elementary on an accelerated basis, replacing the 2021 Capital Levy. The other recommended projects are as follows: replace College Place Middle and College Place Elementary, construct a fifth middle school at the Former Alderwood Middle location, replace Westgate Elementary, and incorporate various bond renewal and upgrade projects. The estimated total cost for these bond projects is $594 million.
Proposition 2: Replacement Technology/Capital Levy
The proposed projects center on several areas, including student technology enhancements, investments in professional learning, and improvements in infrastructure and tools for organizational support. The anticipated total cost for the Replacement Technology/Capital Levy projects is estimated at $120 million over four years.
“The school board is committed to providing the best educational environment for our students. Proposition 1 will ensure that our schools optimally protect the health and safety of our students and staff as well as enhance student learning,” said School Board President Dr. Nancy Katims. “Proposition 2 will equip our students and staff with the technology and resources needed for a successful education.”
Dr. Rebecca Miner, Edmonds School District Superintendent, said she is committed to engaging with the community about these measures, stating, “I look forward to having the opportunity to share information about these propositions with our community members. I encourage everyone to attend an information session and to reach out if you have additional questions.”
More information is available at 2024 School Construction Bond and Replacement Technology/Capital Levy.
I will be voting against this bond because the Edmonds School District has insufficient funds to operate, so I will not support the construction of new facilities.
On April 27th of this year, Seattle Times staff reporter Claire Bryan published a story entitled “Edmonds School Board cuts teaching positions to balance its budget”.
Because the District has insufficient money to fund teachers, what good are new buildings? The School District has also cut programs and services to students: for example, Mountlake Terrace High School no longer has a drama department, no longer has a choir, and their jazz band, once one of the very best in the nation, is no more.
As recently as 2020 the school band was one of only 18 finalists to compete in the annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival.
Until the District has a solid financial base to fund employees along with the programs and services used by students, I will not support the construction of new buildings. The School District wants to put the cart, literally, before the horses.
Please: Vote NO on the upcoming school facility bond.