Voters approving $398 million bond measure for Lake Washington School District



REDMOND, Wash. -- Voters on Tuesday night were approving a $398 million bond measure aimed at reducing the overcrowding in Lake Washington School District.

King County Elections said the proposal was passing 65.40% - 22223 votes -- to Rejected 34.60% - 11758 votes. The proposal must receive 60% to pass, and more mail-in ballots will be counted over the next several days.

EARLIER Q13 NEWS STORY:

Thousands of students are packing into classrooms and portables, some even fighting off crows to eat their lunch.

So for the third time, people in the Lake Washington School District will vote on a $398 million bond measure to build and fix schools.

In one year, the district has grown from the sixth largest district in the state to the fourth largest. In the past five years, enrollment is up by more than 3,000 students, which is equal to five elementary schools. In five years, the district expects to have more than 30,000 students.

Supporters were out in full force Monday near Rosa Parks Elementary in Redmond, holding signs as they try to encourage last-minute voters.

“Today we have teachers, parents and students all out asking people to vote for the bond before tomorrow,” said Erika Kapur, a mother and supporter of the bond measure.

The bond will pay to build new elementary and middle schools and expand schools like Juanita High, Margaret Mead and Peter Kirk elementary schools. It will also help to reduce portable use.

“We will be able to build new schools and renovate aging schools in the school district that are all over capacity and our children are having to eat lunch in shifts and having to do recess at different times,” said bond supporter Shayna Begun.

Supporters said the bond will not increase the current tax rate at $3.30 per $1,000 of assessed value, but not everyone is on board.

“Yea, that’s one of the bottom lines is that everyone is taxed, taxed, and it is tough,” said Joe Skewis, who says his elderly parents will be voting ‘no’ for the measure.

A ‘no’ campaign is in full swing. Opponents claim the tax rate might not increase but taxes will because the value of homes are expected to rise.

With 60 percent of the votes needed to pass the measure, supporters know the honks will need to translate into votes.

“Lake Washington is an awesome school district and my kids have an amazing experience with great teachers, but they need more room and they need better buildings in order to make that happen. We need to pass the bond.

Voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to vote and decide whether to approve this nearly $400 million bond measure for schools.