Peninsula Schools Bond Measure A Hair Shy Of Passing

GIG HARBOR, WA - A $220 million bond to upgrade facilities at Peninsula School District schools was just shy of passing as of Thursday morning - and there are only an estimated 100 votes left to count across the entire county.

As of Thursday, the measure was passing 58.83 percent in favor to 41.17 percent opposed. The measure needs 60 percent of the vote to pass. The measure was one of two items on the April 24 special election ballot.

If it passes, the bond will pay for a new elementary school north of Gig Harbor, renovations at Artondale Elementary and Gig Harbor High School, and other security and infrastructure upgrades.

If it passes, the measure would increase property taxes 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For a home valued at $500,000, that would equal mean an increase of about $225 per year. However, due to state legislation dealing with school funding, a separate levy would be reduced next year by 48 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. So, if the new levy passes, taxes would still decrease by 3 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

The group Stand Up For Peninsula Schools has been advocating for passage of the bond, coordinating volunteers to wave signs at city intersections and more. The ballot results have improved by about .40 percentage points since the first ballot count Tuesday night.

"It's too close to call right now. We aren't on the side of the percentages we want to be but there is still hope. More ballots are being counted as I write this. Thank you everyone for voting, for volunteering, and for supporting our schools," the group wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

The election won't be certified until May 4.

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