This time, they’re emphasizing what will happen if the bond doesn’t pass: More dollars spent on critical maintenance instead of instruction. More portables instead of permanent classrooms to handle overcrowding. Even higher construction prices.

The May 20 bond measure would pay for a range of upgrades and new facilities for the 7,600-student district encompassing the Parkland, Summit, Waller and Midland communities.

The measure would cost about 73 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or about $146 annually for the owner of a $200,000 home.

Voters are starting to receive ballots for the all-mail election; ballots must be postmarked by May 20.

The measure requires 60 percent approval to pass. The first vote, on March 11, failed with 53.8 percent approval.

Supporters stress that the bulk of the proposal, $45.5 million, would support improvements, renovations and expansion at the district’s 13 schools. That includes construction of 23 classrooms to address existing overcrowding and future growth.

The measure also would devote $9.5 million for a complex of athletic fields and tennis courts near Washington High School and Perry G. Keithley Middle School. A new $13.2 million preschool center, called the Franklin Pierce Community Hope Center, could also accommodate community meetings and after-school youth activities.

Regardless of whether the bond passes, the district must undertake the most critical upgrades next school year, said district spokesman Willie Painter.

For instance, the measure would replace 260 of the district’s 600 heat pumps for heating and ventilation. Fifteen to 20 of those pumps are so old they must be replaced next year at a cost of $2,500 to $5,000 each.

If the bond doesn’t pass, the district must pay for the upgrades using general fund dollars, the same pot of money that pays for instruction, meaning fewer dollars will be available for academic programs.

A bond failure could also mean the purchase of six or more double-portable buildings, costing at least $150,000 each, over the next four years, rather than the building of permanent classrooms. The district needs the space to relieve overcrowding and to accommodate preschool classes and new, state-funded full-day kindergarten at three district schools this fall.

District officials would rather use bond dollars to build permanent classrooms, which are more expensive but last longer than portables, Painter said.

“If we had the money in the general fund, we wouldn’t be going to voters with this bond measure,” Superintendent Frank Hewins said. “The economy is not at its strongest, but that is actually good for this bond measure because the bidding climate will bring the cheapest prices, which will stretch the buying power of bond dollars.”

Community activist Jim Akers doesn’t dispute the overcrowding and maintenance problems, but he’s campaigning against the measure.

Akers contends the proposal targets a disproportionate share of bond dollars to the Washington High School area as compared to the Franklin Pierce High School area. He points to the athletic fields complex, Washington High classrooms and preschool-community center, adding up to $26 million. Franklin Pierce High improvements, auditorium and stadium improvements would amount to about $7.3 million.

“Washington High has been remodeled and upgraded,” Akers said. “Franklin Pierce High School looks like a bunch of garbage. It’s a bunch of buildings that are outdated and outmoded.”

Painter said the athletic field complex, the preschoool-community center, stadium and performing arts center are intended for districtwide use, not for one particular school.

A district spreadsheet dividing school projects into those whose students will eventually go to Franklin Pierce High and those who will go to Washington, shows that Franklin Pierce High and its four elementary and one middle school will receive $26.1 million in improvements. Projects for Washington High and its five feeder schools amount to $19 million.

The last bond measure, in 1998, also gave more project dollars to Franklin Pierce High and its feeder schools.

Janet Detering, a former school board member and co-chairwoman of the Franklin Pierce Citizens for Schools, said complaints of construction project favoritism are common but unfounded.

“There’s always going to be people who feel they’re getting the short end of the stick.”

Debby Abe: 253-597-8694

Upgrades that bond would cover

Highlights from Franklin Pierce School District’s May 20 bond measure seeking $78.5 million:

All schools: Upgrade heating-and-ventilation systems, buy furniture, implement other improvements.

Ford Middle School: Add auxiliary gym and nine classrooms; remodel commons area and science rooms: $10.7 million.

Keithley Middle School: Add classrooms and auxiliary gym; remodel commons: $9.6 million.

Franklin Pierce High School: Remodel commons, entry and science rooms; add classrooms: $6 million.

Washington High School: Add classrooms and remodel science rooms: $3.3 million.

Franklin Pierce Community Hope Center: Build new preschool center, teen activity and community group space: $13.2 million.

Administration buildings: Replace one or two of the aging buildings; repair parking lot: $2.7 million.

Franklin Pierce High performing arts center: Equip center for district and community use: $1 million.

Athletic complex: Develop four lighted fields for baseball or soccer; five tennis courts; four grass soccer fields; and parking lot: $9.5 million.

Franklin Pierce Stadium: Build concession facility and restrooms; put up fencing; do landscaping, sound system repairs: $325,000.

More details: fp.k12.wa.us