Voters in the Eatonville and Bethel school districts are deciding whether to put more local money into their schools. Their decisions on two bond measures will be known after voting in a special election closes April 26 GÇô six days from now. To pass, both need at least a 60 percent supermajority of votes in their favor. In the approximately 1,800-student Eatonville district, a bond totaling $19.4 million over 25 years is proposed. The majority of the funding, if approved, would be spent on improvements of athletic facilities, including new fields and the replacement of a 79-year-old, wooden football grandstand that officials say has become dangerous because through deterioration. The Bethel district, home to about 18,000 students, is seeking $236.7 million to be collected over a 20-year period. The biggest portions of the proceedds would pay for major remodels or new construction involving six schools, plus a new aquatics center. The same ballot measure received a 57 percent yes vote GÇô not enough to pass GÇô in a February election. Both school districts have been waging information campaigns supported by pro-bond community members. They've also encountered opposition from detractors who, in general, either object to specific projects within the bond proposals or are concerned about their property tax bills. Following is a summary of each district's bond. More information is available at eatonvillestrong.org and bethelsd.org.
Eatonville
$19.4 million Bond total. Here's the breakdown of how it would be spent, plus some related numbers: $15 million Upgraaded athletic fields and facilities at Eatonville High School, Eatonville Middle School and Eatonville Elementary School. $2.4 million, $1.2 million, $800,000 In order, the portions to be spent on technology, school-building safety and security, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum. $1.20 Additional property tax per $1,000 of assessed valuation that the bond would create. $20 The cost per month in additional property tax on a home valued at $200,000. 1937 The year the grandstand at Eatonville High School's football field was built. A new grandstand is proposed in the bond. 2006 The last year a bond was approved by voters in the Eatonville district. It paid for remodeling of Eatonville High School, Eatonville Middle School, Weyerhaeuser Elementary School and Eatonville Elementary School.
Bethel
$236.7 million Bond total. Here's how it would be spent, along with some other pertinent numbers: $99.5 million Modernization and partial replacement of Bethel High School, and for adjoining sports park. $84 million Remodeling Cedarcrest Middle School and building a new elementary school next to it. $32 .4 million Improvements of Graham-Kapowsin High School, including a new classroom wing and synthetic-turf for sports fields. $29 million For a districtwide aquatic center. $28 milllion A new Challenger High School to replace the current mix of portables. $7.7 million, $7.3 mllion Renovations of Evergreen and Naches Trail elementary schools, respectively. $8.9 miillion Snynthetic turf and other upgrades of athletic fields at Spanaway Lake High School. $4 million For purchase of land for a future elementary school. $19.8 million Combined amount for improvements of Camas Prairie, Graham, Centennial, Kapowsin, Rocky Ridge and Roy elementary schools, Bethel and Frontier middle schools and Elk Plain School of Choice, energy-efficiency projects, technology, upgrades of security cameras, and sidewalks (at Bethel High School, Evergreen Elementary School and Spanaway Lake High School). 31 Number of portable classrooms at Bethel High School (17) and Challenger High School (14). 3,000 New students expected districtwide in the next 10 years. 65 cents Additional tax per $1,000 of assessed valuation if the bond passes, and nine cents lower than in the first bond proposal).
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