$295M school bond was on the ballot in University Place. Here’s how it’s faring
Voters were approving a $295 million bond measure to build new schools and renovate existing ones in the University Place School District, as of election night.
The measure had about 69% of the vote, according to the first round of results released Tuesday, Feb. 10, surpassing the 60% it needs to be approved. The bond measure would mean that homeowners within the district’s boundaries would pay a tax rate of $2.25 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the owner of a house with an assessed value of $529,641, which was the average in Pierce County in 2025, the annual cost would be about $1,191.
University Place School District Superintendent Jeff Chamberlin called the results “exciting.”
“We’re just so lucky to work in a community that puts such value in public schools and provides this consistent level of support. It’s pretty unbelievable,” Chamberlin told The News Tribune on election night.
The bond measure was one of several tax measures that 10 of Pierce County’s 15 school districts put on the ballot for the Feb. 10 special election.
Most of the measures on the ballot this month, with the exception of the University Place bond, were renewals of existing levies that are set to expire soon.
The measures seek to cover costs for school districts in Pierce County that state funding doesn’t cover. Though state funding for school districts has increased over 100% in the last 10 years, many school districts have said it’s not enough, The News Tribune previously reported.
State officials have said more school districts in Washington are on “binding conditions” now than ever before – when a district’s expenses exceed its revenues and state budget officials have to step in.
Districts like Tacoma Public Schools had two measures on the ballot, one for educational programs and operations and another to fund technology improvements and upgrades. Tacoma’s measures appeared to have the support they needed to pass as of election night, with about 69% and 68% of the vote, respectively.
Unlike the bond measure, the replacement levies only need a simple majority vote to pass.
Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Josh Garcia told The News Tribune he was “just a little in awe,” of the Tacoma Public Schools community and staff who turned out to support the two measures. Willie Stewart, who helped spearhead the campaign in favor of the levies, said he appreciated the confidence that voters in Tacoma had in the school district to endorse the replacement levies.
“I’m excited because our community felt strongly enough to say yes to both levies,” Stewart told The News Tribune.
Pierce County elections is forecasting 25% voter turnout in the Feb. 10 special election and will continue to release election results until certifying the election on Feb. 20. As of election night, voter turnout was at 19%.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 8:21 PM.
