Vote Yes for this School Construction Measure – Vote Yes for our Children and Community

Renton School District continues to provide excellent education to all students across the district. This measure ensures our community’s children continue to have safe schools with proper space to learn. Voting yes will ensure our schools receive ongoing safety upgrades, heating-cooling system replacements, seismic (earthquake) enhancements, and improvements to indoor/outdoor spaces used by students, families, and neighborhood residents. It also provides opportunity to buy land to build a new high school to provide equity for students in the Renton High service area.

By supporting this measure, you show that you value education and your community. And due to timing and economic success of the region, voting yes still means your tax rates will remain low.

This School Construction Measure benefits everyone. Good schools positively affect our neighborhoods, builds a stronger community, and protects our property values. And with a such a small tax investment, it is a win for everyone. Join the thousands of your neighbors who are saying yes to continued improvements at our schools by voting yes for this measure.

Submitted by: Christabel Fowler, Sandy Schultz, Michael Westgaard, mawestgaard@gmail.com

The district states it will purchase land, build a high school, make school improvements all for only $676M. Their laughable "cost impact analysis" for hardworking taxpayers for this mega bond consists of stating "a typical homeowner will see a decrease of tax rates of $195/year."   And this from the institution supposedly teaching students about mathematics and financial literacy.

With rapidly rising property values, that the district is counting on now and in the future, of course "rates" can remain flat or drop. Voters are signing up for an amount, not a rate. This $676M advertised bond has a 23 year payback period to be paid by current residents and citizens not born yet. The interest alone adds another $631M bringing the true total to $1.3B!  A homeowner with an assessed valued home of $700,000 in 2022 will have to pay approximately $25,000 over the next 23 years for this one bond.

For a full, logical cost analysis and recommendations, please see BondNo.com

Other districts (Seattle, Everett) are using sequential, better planned, 6 year capital levies for buildings instead of 20+ year expensive bonds to save taxpayers substantial money. Renton should do the same with a more modest, staggered project list.

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, TooMuch@BondNo.com

Renton School District citizens have approved School Construction Measures by overwhelming majorities for many decades. The district works hard to earn that trust and make major repairs, replacements, and upgrades keeping schools in top operating condition. They protect taxpayer investments in schools, help maintain high property values, and are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Vote Yes by Nov. 8 to keep schools in excellent operating condition while reducing district tax rates by at least $195/year.

Submitted by: Christabel Fowler, Sandy Schultz, Michael Westgaard, mawestgaard@gmail.com

This is hardly a "small" tax. This is the largest school bond in WA history. $676M principal plus the unmentioned $631M in added interest over 23 years. All that interest down the drain.

Taxpayers do not have endless funds. The district should use common sense and should propose a scaled down project list and should switch to using interest free capital levies. Citizens are facing high inflation and are being taxed out of their homes.

Submitted by: Jeff Heckathorn, TooMuch@BondNo.com

Complete text of resolution

60% majority and minimum turnout of 40% of voters casting ballots in last general election (Washington Constitution, art. VII, sec. 2(b))

For questions about this measure, contact: Fred R. Maiocco, Jr., Assistant Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer, (425) 204-2361, frederick.maiocco@rentonschools.us