In 2003, a Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) completed an in-depth study of our school facilities and created a three phase facilities plan. Voters approved a bond measure in 2004 which provided funds for the projects listed in phase one of that plan.

Last year, the school board appointed a new CFAC to update the facilities plan and determine which projects should be included in phase two.
Click here to view their final report to the school board (pdf).

The school board approved the citizens’ recommendations as presented and placed a school construction and renovation bond measure on the March 11, 2008 ballot. If approved by voters, the proposed bond would fund the projects listed in phase two of the school district’s facilities plan:
 w Complete the Snohomish High School Renovation
 w Renovate and Expand Valley View Middle School
 w Expand Centennial Middle School
 w Replace Machias Elementary
 w Replace Riverview Elementary
 w Build New Aquatic Center
 w District-wide Capital Improvements
 w Technology to Improve Student Learning

More information about all of the projects in the proposal is available here.

Ballot Language:
School Renovation and Construction Bonds
The Board of Directors of Snohomish School District No. 201, adopted Resolution No. 01-08, concerning a proposition to finance school renovation and construction. This proposition would authorize the District to complete Snohomish High School renovation, renovate and expand Valley View Middle School, expand Centennial Middle School, construct new elementary schools to replace Machias and Riverview, construct aquatic center, make District-wide capital improvements, and acquire classroom technology to improve student learning; issue no more than $261,587,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 01-08.

Should this proposition be:
o  Approved
o  Rejected

Assessed Value and Tax Rates:
Tax rates are estimates which are calculated to generate a specific dollar amount. When assessed property values rise through new construction and appreciation, the tax rate declines. This ensures that the district collects only the dollar amount which is approved by voters.

Tax Exemptions:
Some senior citizens and disabled persons may qualify for exemptions from all or part of local school taxes. Details and forms are available from the Snohomish County Assessor’s Office: (425) 388-3540.

Proposed bond projects:
Complete Snohomish HS Renovation $47,000,000
Renovate and Expand Valley View MS $85,500,000
Expand Centennial MS $23,100,000
Replace Machias Elementary $39,000,000
Replace Riverview Elementary $39,000,000
Build New Aquatic Center $19,987,000
District-wide Capital Improvements $3,410,000
Technology to Improve Student Learning $4,590,000

What would the proposal cost?
The proposed measure would provide the school district with $261,587,000 to fund the projects listed above. The bond rate would increase 19¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is $6.33 per month on a home assessed at $400,000.

The 2006 bus levy expires in 2008. Because the bus levy is ending when this bond would begin, the estimated total tax rate - including the proposed bond - would increase 0¢ per $1,000 of assessed property value.

What is the difference between levies and bonds?
Levies (require “50% plus one” approval to pass):
Levy dollars support district and student programs and help pay for the day-to-day operations of schools. A programs and operation levy can be proposed for a maximum of four years, after which time it expires. Snohomish School District’s current levy was approved by voters in 2006 and continues through 2010.

Bonds (require “60% plus one” approval to pass):
Bonds are financed over a longer period of time and are comparable to your home mortgage. Once approved by voters, bonds are sold to investors. Upon their sale, bonds provide funds for school construction and capital facility improvement projects. Bond dollars may not, by law, be used to pay for the day-to-day costs of running schools.

Click here for more information about how schools are funded in our state.

Want more information?
Superintendent’s Office: (360) 563-7280
Business Services Office: (360) 563-7240
Communications Office: (360) 563-7263

Information about voter registration and voting in this election is available through the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office: (425) 388-3444.