The South Kitsap School District’s board of directors has unanimously voted to return a bond measure to build a new high school in voters on April 26.
After the board’s unanimous vote in favor of the resolution, loud cheers erupted from the crowd.
The original bond, which was before voters Feb. 9, needed a 60-percent majority vote to pass. However, it only reached a 59.92 percent approval rate, just 37 votes shy of passage.
According to the Kitsap County Elections Division, bonds can be run twice in a calendar year. The next three possible election dates are April 26, Aug. 2 and Nov. 9.
“In my opinion, the best option at this point is to run the bond again on April 26,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said at the meeting.
“August is not desirable because families will be gone, and it’s summer break, reducing the amount of voters.”
Although a November ballot appearance would coincide with the general election and a higher voter turnout, the board said running the bond later in the fall will cause the campaign to lose momentum.
“We had the momentum running in our favor, and resubmitting it in November would be like running two separate campaigns,” School Board President Greg Wall said.
“Yes, it would be cheaper, but other issues could dilute ours. I feel it’s best to do it quickly.”
The bond funding package is identical to the one on the ballot Feb. 9: $126,992,867 over 30 years. The new school would open in 2020.
Running the bond again so soon ensures that date, while pushing the campaign back until November also delays the start date of construction.
Also, with construction prices on the rise, the board would like to start work as soon as possible.
Tiffany Wilhelm, a parent in the South Kitsap School District and co-chair of the bond campaign, recommended the April ballot date.
“We were so close it would be a disservice to stop now,” she said. “On social media, we had people encouraging us to move as fast as possible to try again.”
Although Mayor Rob Putaansuu was unable to attend the meeting, he said his endorsement of the bond is still as strong as ever.
“Sixty percent is a huge threshold,” board member Chris Lempke said.
“But we are going to get there. We aren’t backing down. Full speed ahead.”
The quick turnaround was caused in part by the county’s election office.
In order for the bond to make the April 26 ballot, the board needs to turn in the resolution by Friday, Feb. 26, two days after the board meeting at Hidden Creek Elementary.
After the board’s unanimous vote in favor of the resolution, loud cheers erupted from the crowd.
The original bond, which was before voters Feb. 9, needed a 60-percent majority vote to pass. However, it only reached a 59.92 percent approval rate, just 37 votes shy of passage.
According to the Kitsap County Elections Division, bonds can be run twice in a calendar year. The next three possible election dates are April 26, Aug. 2 and Nov. 9.
“In my opinion, the best option at this point is to run the bond again on April 26,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said at the meeting.
“August is not desirable because families will be gone, and it’s summer break, reducing the amount of voters.”
Although a November ballot appearance would coincide with the general election and a higher voter turnout, the board said running the bond later in the fall will cause the campaign to lose momentum.
“We had the momentum running in our favor, and resubmitting it in November would be like running two separate campaigns,” School Board President Greg Wall said.
“Yes, it would be cheaper, but other issues could dilute ours. I feel it’s best to do it quickly.”
The bond funding package is identical to the one on the ballot Feb. 9: $126,992,867 over 30 years. The new school would open in 2020.
Running the bond again so soon ensures that date, while pushing the campaign back until November also delays the start date of construction.
Also, with construction prices on the rise, the board would like to start work as soon as possible.
Tiffany Wilhelm, a parent in the South Kitsap School District and co-chair of the bond campaign, recommended the April ballot date.
“We were so close it would be a disservice to stop now,” she said. “On social media, we had people encouraging us to move as fast as possible to try again.”
Although Mayor Rob Putaansuu was unable to attend the meeting, he said his endorsement of the bond is still as strong as ever.
“Sixty percent is a huge threshold,” board member Chris Lempke said.
“But we are going to get there. We aren’t backing down. Full speed ahead.”
The quick turnaround was caused in part by the county’s election office.
In order for the bond to make the April 26 ballot, the board needs to turn in the resolution by Friday, Feb. 26, two days after the board meeting at Hidden Creek Elementary.
