Revised School Bond Passes

WAITSBURG – Final counts are in, and voters approved a $3.8 million bond to improve and upgrade Waitsburg school facilities with a 62.99% approval vote.

The funds will be used to upgrade the HVAC system in all three schools, including adding air conditioning to the elementary school, renovating the school kitchen, and constructing a field house at the athletic field.

The bond will also allow the district to access $40,000 in funds given by an anonymous donor for the construction of the field house. The gift is administered through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation and came with two stipulations.

The field house is to be named after Ken Zuger and a completion date for the project was set for 2015. When that date passed, the benefactor had agreed to contact BMCF and ask them to let the district make one more attempt to receive replacement funds before they were lost.

A special board meeting has been set for Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. for the purpose of approving a resolution to authorize the issuance, sale and delivery of the bonds.

Waitsburg schools superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke said she was encouraged by the good voter turnout. She said there are approximately 965 registered voters and county records show that 581 voted.

The projected initial cost for property owners in the Waitsburg School District would be $1.28 per thousand-dollar valuation. However, this bond will replace a 1999 bond that is being retired. The rate for that bond is currently $2.02 per thousand

Approval numbers were significantly higher among Walla Walla County voters than Columbia County voters in the multi-county race. Thirty-four voters in Columbia County voted to approve the bonds at a percentage of 54.85%, with 28 voters saying nay. Walla Walla County recorded 332 votes in favor and 187 against for an approval vote of 63.97%.

In February, a $4.8 million bond measure was placed before voters but failed to reach supermajority approval by 13 votes. After a survey of constituents, the school board dropped two items - parking lot improvements and installation of an all-weather track, and track and field improvements – and reduced the bond by $1 million.

“Community support of our students, staff, and schools is greatly appreciated,” said Clarke.