|
Proposition No. 1
Submitted by Bethel School District No. 403
BETHEL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BONDS - $65,000,000
Official Ballot Title:
To construct and equip a new high school and junior high, acquire sites and portables, make safety, athletic facility, roofing and other improvements, and use state matching funds to modernize Spanaway Junior/Thompson Elementary, shall Bethel School District #403 issue $65,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 20 years, and shall annual property tax levies in addition to regular tax levies be authorized to repay such bonds, as Resolution #8 (99-00) provides? you do not receive your ballot, please call (253) 798-7430.
Explanatory Statement:
Bethel School District is requesting approval of a capital improvements bond measure. This measure would provide for the construction and equipping of a new high school and a new junior high school on sites already owned by the District. The junior high school would open in September, 2002 and the high school in September, 2005. The bond measure and state matching funds derived from the construction of the two new schools will allow for the major modernization of Spanaway Junior High and Thompson Elementary. In addition, the bond measure and state matching funds would provide for the acquisition of new school sites and portable classrooms, as well as improvements at schools throughout the District including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems, roof and carpet replacement and school safety improvements. Bonds totaling $65 million would be issued and be repaid from annual tax levies over 20 years at an estimated rate of $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. State matching funds attributable to these projects will generate approximately $27 million in additional funds to pay a portion of the costs of the projects listed above.
Statement For:
Community Input
A 41 member Citizen's Advisory Committee representing all 22 schools, community groups, businesses and religious organizations recommended this bond. District staff provided information but were non-voting members. This is a citizens bond. Our schools are overcrowded. There are no empty classrooms. Older schools need health and safety improvements. Please vote "yes."
A Wise Investment
When approved, the $65 million bond will bring in over $26 million in state matching funds. Total projects will be more than $91 million. This is a great return on our investment. Every project deals directly with the education, safety and health of children. Every child in the district will be directly affected by this bond by being able to attend safer, healthier, less-crowded schools.
Tax Deductions and Exemptions
Homeowners' taxes from the bond are deductible on federal income tax. Qualified senior citizens are exempt from additional taxes resulting from the bond.
A Request for your Support
Please support quality schools for our kids with your "yes" vote.
Statement prepared by : Shanon Nokes, John Briehl and Dick Boyle
Statement Against:
No statement was submitted against this issue.
This space is available each election for citizens and/or committees opposing measures to publish a
"Statement Against."
For information, contact the Pierce County Auditor's Office at (253) 798-7430.
"The Elections Department is not responsible for the factual or grammatical accuracy of for and against statements.
These statements are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked by any official governmental agency."
|
