Proposed $160 Million Bond To Be Voted on in November

Those living in the South Hill neighborhood will have an important choice to make this November. They will be asked, along with everyone else living within the attendance areas of the Bellingham School District, to vote on a proposed $160 million bond to fund renovations and upgrades in some of the the schools within the district.

This bond was proposed by the Facilities Planning Task Force, a group consisting of parents, teachers, students, staff, and community members, who spent 6 months studying the schools in the district and trying to understand the changes that were most needed. They then formed a recommendation for a 10-year plan to upgrade and renovate many of the schools. For South Hill residents, that means upgrades to Lowell Elementary. 

Teri McIntyre, a Bellingham resident and parent of students, is a member of the Facilities Planning Task force, and had the opportunity to observe first-hand the needs of the schools. When looking at Lowell Elementary, McIntyre said the task force was able to see that the gym and cafeteria weren’t large enough to accommodate a large group of students. There was also a need for an elevator to assist those who are disabled. 

These kinds of issues were looked at in schools across the district. Both when students were carrying out their daily routine and on the weekends when the school was empty, the task force got to look around the school and talk to teachers about how the infrastructure did or did not meet the students’ needs. McIntyre noted that many places in the schools are not commonly open to parents or people in the community and therefore sometimes go unnoticed. “It was just eye-opening to see, for instance, the boiler rooms at the school,” she said, “That’s not something that you get to see very often.” 

A bond is one of two ways that the school can raise money. It is like a loan: the district takes out a loan and the citizens pay back that loan through taxes over a period of time. For this proposed bond, the additional taxes would affect homeowners, starting out at 49 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2014, and decreasing to 26 cents per $1,000 in 2019. Practically, for a house assessed at $250,000, the extra monthly taxes would be $10.16 in 2014. 

McIntyre acknowledges that the sum of $160 million sounds daunting, but she also states, “If you look at your extra expenses that you have in a month, that’s a more doable type of thing.” It is interesting to note that Bellingham Public Schools’ Tax rate is the third lowest in the county and is among the lowest in the state, according to Jacqueline Brawley, Communications Manager for the Bellingham School District. When asked what people might think of the extra taxes, she said, “When you at look the benefits to everything, it’s a pretty good deal.” The bond would be payed off in the next 16 to 20 years.

The other way the district can raise money is by passing a levy, which they generally do every three years. Levies are used to pay for classroom supplies, teachers’ salaries, curriculum, and benefits. As opposed to levies, bonds cannot be used to pay for teachers salaries or classroom supplies. It is strictly for capital improvement projects or maintenance, according to McIntyre. They can, however, increase the schools’ energy efficiency, saving it some money. “Any money we save on that, on day to day operations. . .can go directly back into the classroom,” McIntyre states. 

Melanie Sehman, a music teacher at Whatcom Community College, who recently moved to the Bellingham area from New York in July, says that she believes she is more biased towards the bond because she is a teacher. She recognizes the importance of infrastructure as an integral part of helping the students learn and prepare them for further schooling. 

“Where [my students] are before they come to me has a big impact on how I teach.” Sehman states. When asked what she thought about the proposed renovations to Lowell Elementary, she commented that it seemed to be a worthy use of the money. Sehman is very interested in the issue and will look into the proposed bond before the November vote.

Kate Foster is also a Bellingham resident and parent, and is actively involved in the schools. She has seen the results of the last bond, passed in 2006, and considers the bonds to be a good way to help out the schools. She will vote yes on the new $160 million bond, but had a few suggestions on how it could be made more effective. For example, possibly breaking it up into smaller bonds might reduce the sticker-shock factor, as well as making sure that the proposed changes are absolutely necessary. “Extras are for when times are more flush,” Foster said. 

Overall, she recognizes the benefits for the schools and neighborhoods. “If people could see the facilities for themselves, the bond may be easier to pass.”

Ballots were sent out in October and will need to be returned and received by November 5th. to the Whatcom County Courthouse, South Parking Lot, 201 Grand. Ave. McIntyre stressed the importance of voting early and sending the ballot in to avoid  forgetting about it. The Bellingham School District website has all the information on what schools will be affected and on all of the proposed improvements. Citizens can also check out BellinghamBonds.org for more information. In addition, this Saturday, Teri McIntyre will be at the meeting held by the League of Women Voters, debating an opponent of the bond. The meeting will be held at the Bellingham City Council Chambers from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.