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Issaquah School District No. 411

Proposition No. 1

General Obligation Bonds - $231,600,000

The Board of Directors of Issaquah School District No. 411 adopted Resolution No. 1233 approving a proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to undertake safety and security enhancements, make certain additions to and remodeling of Liberty High School, construct and equip a new comprehensive high school and make other capital improvements; to issue $231,600,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 1233.

 

Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


The Board of Directors of Issaquah School District No. 411 adopted Resolution No. 1233 approving a proposition for bonds.  This authorizes the District to undertake necessary interior and exterior safety and security upgrades, replacements, and enhancements; make additions to and remodel Liberty High School in order to allow for expanded innovative and career preparation spaces; construct and equip a new comprehensive high school; and provide for project management for the foregoing improvements, to issue $231,600,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 1233.

 

Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. To determine if you qualify, call the King County Assessor at (206) 296-7300.

Issaquah School District’s high schools are critically overcrowded, demanding immediate action. This bond solves overcrowding. It is 1/3 the cost of last November's bond and will Not raise your taxes as it replaces expiring bonds and levies.

 

Our community has built a highly respected school system. Our schools drive economic growth and impact home values. Sustained Investment in our schools benefits all taxpayers.

 

Overcrowding is not only an inconvenience; it compromises learning, mental health, and safety. High school classrooms are bursting at the seams, labs and vocational spaces are rationed and common spaces are congested. Overcrowding limits participation and crucial student/teacher interactions. With high school enrollment expected to grow 20% over the next 15 years, there is urgency to act now.

 

This bond will: 1) build a new high school to address overcrowding; 2) expand Liberty High School with 20,000 sf in classroom and career training space; 3) widen 228th to improve traffic flow at the new high school; 4) improve district-wide security with fire systems, cameras and secure building access. Permitting is approved and ready for groundbreaking by April 27th. A new community oversight committee with financial, construction, and project management experts will ensure accountability. Vote Yes!

 

Submitted by: Kevin Nichols, Dana Rundle, Peter O'Donoghue

In November, voters said “no” to a $642 million school bond. This new bond appears smaller yet simply spreads the same content and spending over a future continuous stream of bonds and levies, beginning in April 2025. The voters already said no and want better solutions.

 

The new high school is unnecessary. The ISD admits there are practical and less expensive ways to address temporary overcrowding that do not include a fiscally irresponsible $292,700,000 (plus interest) high school. Funding the needs of students and teachers is essential, but the Board’s current approach is misguided.

 

The ISD Board has lost our trust and is insensitive to the cost to families. They have a record of capital project overruns, broken promises, and misdirected funds, with no assurance that this won’t happen again. Don’t be fooled by the repackaging. Trust can be rebuilt – by rethinking high school capacity and ensuring that monies are purposeful and well spent.

 

The ISD Board claims that they work for us, yet they ignore the people’s will. Your “no” vote will send a clear message that they must listen, rather than simply continuing their irresponsible practices. Demand honesty, transparency, and accountability. Please Vote No!

 

Submitted by: Daniel Sreebny, ccare98027.com

A new high school is absolutely necessary. ISD's three high schools were built for 4,921 students but currently serve 5,735. Enrollment is projected to surge to 6,903 in 15 years.

 

Alternatives are at the expense of our children's education. Moving 9th graders to middle school or “doubling” building capacity with separate morning and afternoon/evening school days are band-aids to overcrowding. The new oversight committee will ensure transparency and accountability. Vote Yes!

 

Submitted by: Kevin Nichols, Dana Rundle, Peter O'Donoghue

The school system has capacity to address current and future enrollment requirements. Imagine using this money to serve the true needs of students and teachers – we all support this.

 

The ISD statement is written to mislead the public and hide the facts. The bond has been cleverly sized to keep taxes flat for this vote, but we will see significantly higher taxes in the future. The Board is not solving problems or respecting the community.

 

Submitted by: Daniel Sreebny, ccare98027.com

60% yes vote and a 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: Martin Turney, Chief of Finance and Operations, (425) 837-7011, turneym@issaquah.wednet.edu

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