Without good schools, Tacoma’s economy suffers. Invest in our future — with your vote | Opinion
Tacoma Schools Proposition 1 is a school improvement and safety upgrades bond measure that impacts most of Tacoma’s 56 neighborhood schools, including replacement or major renovations at 11 sites with an average age of 71 years old.
The $650 million bond measure re-invests in local workers and businesses right here in Tacoma-Pierce County, while addressing needed school improvements.
Together, Tacoma is committed to supporting the success of every child, regardless of background or neighborhood. The Class of 2023 had the highest graduation rate in TPS’s history; 91.1 percent of students graduated. That’s seven percent above the state average.
Tacoma did this by working together. Investing in our neighborhood schools in every corner of the city, maintaining the best and safest environments for teaching and learning will continue this trend.
Proposition 1 is our community’s opportunity to keep investing in what works.
This investment reaches our community beyond our students and neighborhood schools. In 2016, the Tacoma Schools Board of Directors committed to increasing local and diverse business involvement on new and maintenance-related construction projects.
The intent was to support Tacoma-Pierce County businesses, expand opportunities for women, minority and disadvantaged businesses, and create career path opportunities for young adults.
Tacoma Schools has met these commitments, and TPS’ local school construction team earns an A+ for their work. TPS has more than doubled its goals for contracting with local businesses. Out of nearly $200 million in school building construction from the 2020 bond measure, about 70 percent has been re-invested in local workers and businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County. More than 30 percent went to women-owned, minority-owned, small and disadvantaged businesses.
Tacoma schools also committed to investing in local workers through registered apprentices on school construction projects. On average, 16 of every 100 hours on these projects was performed by registered apprentices, giving them the skills and experience needed for successful careers.
Each of these locally-invested school construction dollars helps generate an additional $1.50 in local economic activity, further supporting the hard-working women and men on these projects and the businesses they visit in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Prop. 1 includes a new Maritime Skills Center, for expanded technical education including merchant marine, warehouse and logistics, drones, electrical, environmental services, roofing, plumbers and pipefitters and wildland-fire certification. It will create a new School for Industrial Design, Engineering and Arts (IDEA), building on the success and diverse offerings of the Healthcare Career Academy, SAMI and SOTA.
The Prop. 1 bond measure on the Feb. 13 ballot continues the school district’s commitment to investing tax-payer money back into the community. It prioritizes the use of local, minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses in school construction projects.
The Pierce County Central Labor Council and the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically support Prop. 1 and we recommend a ‘yes’ vote.
Prop. 1 is a smart investment in our students, our local workforce and local businesses in Tacoma-Pierce County.
Nathe Lawver is Secretary Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Andrea Reay is President and CEO of the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.