CHIMACUM — A newly formed committee hopes the third time will be the charm.
The group, Chimacum Grows Kids, is organizing efforts to pass a twice-defeated construction bond proposal when the $29.1 million measure is brought before voters again April 26.
“I’m excited that this is coming together, that we are building a structure in an organized way,” said Eric Jorgensen, spokesman for Chimacum Grows Kids.
“The failure of the bond has been a wakeup call for us,” he added.
“Many people were inactive and didn’t step forward until it was too late.”
The resolution to place the measure on the special election ballot will be submitted to the Jefferson County auditor today.
It includes language close to the failed Feb. 9 measure, said Superintendent Rick Thompson.
It says that, if approved, bonds would be sold “for the purpose of providing funds for capital improvements to the facilities of the district and authorizing the superintendent to submit a request for eligibility for the Washington State School District Credit Enhancement Program.”
If approved, the measure would finance an addition to Chimacum Creek Primary School, making it into a full-fledged elementary school housing preschool through fifth grade, along with capital improvements.
The bond was defeated in February 2015. District officials and volunteers researched and retooled the measure for resubmission to voters Feb. 9.
It fell about 100 votes short of approval, failing to gain the 60 percent-plus-one-vote supermajority required to approve a bond issue.
At a Feb. 17 School Board meeting that drew more than 100 people, the board voted to resubmit the bond.
The Chimacum Grows Kids advocacy was formed and now has about 70 people committed to the cause, Jorgensen said.
These volunteers will be allocated to dedicated committees, including communications, voter registration, doorbelling, social media, sign creation and placement, and precinct captains.
The group is following an outline that includes almost daily activities planned from Feb. 22 to April 20.
“The predominant theme for Chimacum Grows Kids is engagement,” Jorgensen said.
“We have heard loud and clear from supporters as well as folks who did not vote for the bond in this recent election that they did not feel there was enough community engagement that provided clear information about the details of the proposal.”
Volunteers will work on getting out the vote, concentrating on a list supplied by the auditor of registered voters in the district who did not participate in the Feb. 9 election.
“We are still in the process of identifying the materials we will use, but we are all really committed to this,” Jorgensen said.
“We see great opportunity here for this initial bond effort to serve as a springboard for promoting more connection between the school and the community it serves.”
For more information on the bond proposal, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-3rd-try.
For more information about Chimacum Grows Kids, contact yesforchimacum@gmail.com.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
