Tacoma voters pass $535 million school bond, early election results show
Tacoma voters appeared to be approving a $535 million school bond package, according to early special election results released Tuesday.
As of Tuesday night, 67.29 percent of the ballots counted were in favor of the bond.
“It again reinforces the fact that we have this incredible community that cares about its schools and all students,” Tacoma school Superintendent Carla Santorno told The News Tribune Tuesday night. “In Tacoma, everybody really comes out and works together.”
At $535 million, the Tacoma Public Schools general obligations bond will replace or renovate eight schools and upgrade safety and facility enhancements in schools district-wide. That ranges from HVAC replacements and ADA improvements to new security cameras and secure entryways with restricted access.
Property taxes are expected to increase $6.79 per month ($81.48 annually) for the average Tacoma homeowners, or 27 cents per $1,000 assessed value.
The Pierce County Auditor’s office recorded a 23 percent voter turnout.
School bonds require a 60 percent majority to pass.
Tacoma voters last passed a school bond in 2013 at 70.71 percent approval. The $500 million measure replaced or renovated 14 deteriorating neighborhood schools across Tacoma.
Sumner and Eatonville school districts also had bonds on the ballot for Pierce County. Those measures were failing as of Tuesday night’s results.
The next round of results is expected to drop 4 p.m. Wednesday on co.pierce.wa.us/328/Elections.
Proposed school replacements/renovations:
▪ Bryant Montessori
▪ Downing Elementary
▪ Fawcett Elementary
▪ Hunt Middle School
▪ Lowell Elementary School
▪ Skyline Elementary
▪ Whittier Elementary
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 8:25 PM.
