CHIMACUM — The second phase of an online survey that will be used to shape an upcoming Chimacum School District bond issue will close Friday.
During this phase, participants are being asked to agree or disagree with statements from the first phase, using stars to indicate their level of support for each one.
“This is a fantastic way for us to hear many voices in the community and sort through their thoughts, ideas and goals for the future of the district,” said Chimacum High School Principal Whitney Meissner.
‘Engages people’
Added Ted Friederich, a former School Board member who heads the facilities committee: “This engages people and gets them thinking about what the district needs and what should be in the bond.”
The expected Feb. 9 ballot measure would come exactly one year after the defeat of a $34.8 million bond proposal that received 50.88 percent support but fell short of the 60 percent majority required for passage.
Friederich said many people had told him the bond failed due to its inclusion of a state-of-the-art athletic facility, something that could be modified in the next version of the measure.
Scenarios
The survey describes a base option and two scenarios for the bond issue, asking for participants to state the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Both scenarios include the expansion and modernization of the primary school, support for a safety and security upgrade, an update of electrical and mechanical systems, improved technology and building upgrades.
The first scenario also includes the modernization of K-12 facilities, renovating the auditorium and adding a foyer, the creation of a middle school learning resources facility and the construction of a new administration building.
The second scenario also includes the modernization of facilities and fields, the construction of a new stadium, the construction of a new alternative learning system, new tennis courts, an all-weather track, field lighting, bleachers, the construction of a concession building, more parking and the installation of an artificial turf field.
The total cost for the first scenario is estimated at $41 million, which represents a tax rate increase of $1.71 (per $1,000 assessed value for 20 years).
The second scenario has an estimated cost of $38 million, representing a tax rate increase of $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value.
District Superintendent Rick Thompson said the final ballot measure will be a composite of the two options, with the projected costs to be amended.
‘Discover’
The next phase, “Discover,” will share the results of the second phase to determine what issues the majority of community members feel are most important.
After last year’s defeat, the district immediately began plans to approach voters again, attributing the defeat to poor communication about the need for the various improvements and not beginning the process early enough.
The deadline to submit the new ballot measure to the county auditor is Dec. 11, which would give the district two months to campaign.
In anticipation of the survey, the district sent out invitations and links to parents, staff and community members.
Those who have not received an invitation can participate by going to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-bond-poll, even if they don’t live in the district.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
