CHIMACUM — The Chimacum School Board plans to make another attempt to pass a $29.1 million bond in the April 26 special election.
The board met in open session Sunday for a previously scheduled retreat and unanimously approved a resolution to resubmit the bond to the Jefferson County Auditor by Friday’s filing deadline, said district Superintendent Rick Thompson.
“It’s the identical package, there are no changes,” Thompson said, and added that interest rates on school bonds continue to be “favorable” to finance now.
The board wants to capitalize on the momentum that was generated after the February campaign failed to gain voter approval, and there are still a lot of volunteers committed to getting the bond passed, he said.
Thompson said the number of volunteers who have expressed interest in helping with a new campaign was noteworthy.
The proposed bond resolution was placed on Sunday’s agenda so the board could consider another try at the measure that failed in the Feb. 9 special election.
The measure gained support then from 2,749 voters, or 58.04 percent, and was opposed by 1,987 voters, or 41.96 percent — about 100 votes short of what it needed for the 60 percent-plus-one vote needed for approval.
On Friday, the election results were certified by Jefferson County Auditor Rose Ann Carroll.
Sunday’s meeting followed a special school board meeting last Wednesday where support for the measure was nearly unanimous, as well as a strategy meeting Friday aimed at mapping out the rapid process needed to win approval in April.
The proposed bond would fund the construction of an addition to Chimacum Creek Primary School, expanding the kindergarten through third grade school into a full kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school, and provide safety and equipment upgrades for the Chimacum High School track and natural grass field, Thompson said.
“The track is dangerous,” he said.
The school board’s resolution will go to the auditor this week to meet the Friday deadline for filing for the special election, he said.
The board will meet again at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the administration building, at 91 West Valley Road.
“Everyone is welcome to come,” Thompson said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
