Sumner-Bonney Lake School District asks for $348.5 million at the ballot
Sumner and Bonney Lake voters will decide if the school district collects a fifth of its budget and builds a new Sumner High.
If the proposed bond and levy are approved, the owner of a $300,000 house would pay an estimated $73.75 per month. More than 21,400 households make up the district.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District has put two propositions on the February ballot that would cover operational funds and construction costs.
District spokesperson Elle Warmuth said the district needs the levy to continue to provide programs and extracurricular activities. The state does not provide funding for extracurricular programs, like sports or music programs.
“We want to continue to fund our strong extracurricular and learning programs,” she said. “We are a great learning environment, and we are a fast-growing district.”
The $205 million bond measure would tear down the 66-year-old Sumner High School and rebuild it. Warmuth said the bond is an investment in students.
“Maintaining a great place to learn and teach helps support economic development,” she said.
Since 2014, the district has passed four levies and a bond.
Prop 1 — the levy
A levy is a property tax that raises funds that can be used to pay for staff, student learning, programs, daily operations, and maintenance.
Levies account for about 13 percent of Sumner-Bonney Lake School District’s total revenue. Of the district’s 18 nurses, the levy pays for 16, Warmuth said.
If the four-year levy is approved, the funds would help pay for increased wages paraeducators went on strike for last year, Warmuth said
District officials contend the levy is not a new tax, but with a yes vote voters would give the district the ability to collect more money than ever before.
The state Legislature has increased the levy lid, meaning school district can now levy, with voter approval, for up to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value rather than $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District would garner from $143.5 million over four years with a $300,000 house bringing in about $750 annually.
Prop 2 — the bond
A bond asks property owners to slowly help pay back debt that the school district has taken on for construction. If a bond is approved, bond buyers would provide money upfront and property owners would slowly pay back the debt owed. Washington state bonds require 60 percent voter approval.
The $205 million bond looks to rebuild Sumner High School.
The measure would:
▪ Add 11 classrooms
▪ Expand the gym
▪ Replace the 50-year pool and the 40-year-old performing arts center
▪ Add eight tennis courts and a turf field
▪ Increase parking
Some of the new classrooms would offer career-oriented classes in health care and technology, so students could enter the workforce after high school, Warmuth said.
Construction is estimated to be completed by 2024.
The district said the new building would increase security for students and staff. The high school has eight entrances open during the school day. New building designs include four.
The district is quickly growing, Warmuth said, and needs more space for students. Since the last major renovation in 1996, Sumner High’s student population has increased by 166.
The 20-year bond also would purchase land in Tehaleh for a future middle school and turf field, the school district said. In the next 10 years, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District expects to have a 15 percent growth in middle school-aged students in Tehaleh.
The construction bond would cost district residents about $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or about $135 a year on a $300,000 home over a 21 year-span.
Voters already passed part of Sumner High’s new building with a $59 million bond in 2016. Sumner High’s first phase is underway, with a new commons, library, cafeteria, more classrooms and restrooms. Construction of the initial building is expected to be complete by 2022.
If February’s bond does not pass, the district will make adjustments and ask the voters again, Warmuth said.
“We really need this,” she said.
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
