WASHINGTON — Voters rejected two school funding measures Tuesday that would have addressed aging facilities and infrastructure needs in local school districts.
The East Valley School District’s $220 million bond measure failed to reach the required 60% supermajority threshold, receiving only 50% voter approval. The bond would have funded the reconstruction of the district’s 60-year-old middle and high schools.
Meanwhile, the Nine Mile Falls School District’s capital levy failed with 45% voter approval. The levy would have provided upgrades to the district’s high school.
Both districts face ongoing infrastructure challenges including leaky roofs, broken HVAC systems and inadequate space that remain unresolved despite the failed measures.
“It actually is really disappointing. I have two high school kids. I have a senior and a freshman, and I feel like when something like this fails, I feel like the message that the community is sending to the kids is we’re not invested in you,” said Jen Johnson, a Lakeside High School parent.
Now, East Valley and Nine Mile Falls school districts are considering their next steps, with the possibility of placing revised measures on the November ballot.
“The needs haven’t changed. Right. So we know that, so really it’s at this point in time, it’s looking at bringing our committee back together, talking through this and knowing the times we’re under right now,” said Jeff Baerwald, superintendent of Nine Mile Falls School District.
Baerwald expressed concern about low voter turnout among younger families whose children would benefit most from the proposed improvements. He hopes to increase participation from these demographics in future elections.
“I believe the 25 to 34 year olds, which would be our younger families, right? Less than 10% turnout rate. And then the next age category, I think up to 44 years old was under 15%. And so really, those are your families. Those are the ones whose kids are going to be impacted by any of these improvements. Right. And so, I think it’s a little disheartening,” Baerwald said.
District officials acknowledge the challenging economic climate facing voters. In a statement to KXLY, the East Valley School District superintendent noted the difficulty of the situation.
“The results are disappointing, however, not necessarily shocking. The 60% super majority is a difficult threshold in a normal climate. It’s an entirely different challenge when fuel is hovering close to $5 a gallon,” the superintendent said.
Despite the setbacks, both districts maintain that these infrastructure investments represent crucial investments in their communities’ futures. The districts must now return to planning committees to determine whether to pursue modified funding proposals or continue operating with existing facilities and limited resources.
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