Election: 40% Validation Required for Bond Measures

Issaquah School District is asking voters to consider Proposition 1 in the February 11 school election. The proposal is a 63% reduction from the November bond measure, and would provide funding for the district's most immediate needs. In the state of Washington, bond measures have two requirements in order to be approved by voters. These include: 

• Validation: Voter turnout for the election must equal 40% of the voters who cast ballots in the previous General Election. In November, about 60,000 Issaquah School District voters cast ballots; so, 40% is about 24,000 voters. As of Monday, 10,186 voters had returned their ballots in the ISD Special Election. 
   

• The bond requires a minimum 60% supermajority in order to be approved by voters. 

Last week we shared several myths about the bond proposal that we had heard from community members, with factual answers. Today we're sharing five more false pieces of information and our factual responses: 

• Does the district collect more than 64% of the total tax paid by a homeowner? No. It varies from 30-35% depending on where a resident lives. For a detailed breakdown of how property taxes are allocated, visit the King County Assessor's website. 

• Reports of signs that claim "bond + levy = $642.3 million" and leave community members wondering what that means? Someone used the November bond measure total instead of the current proposal, which is $231.6 million. Using community feedback, we created the current bond proposal, which includes projects related to safety and security; and for easing overcrowding at the high school level. 

• Claims that "The district disrespects your vote." The district values all voters and provides multiple opportunities to receive feedback and frame potential resolutions for ballot consideration. The School Board, Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick and district leaders hosted listening sessions including one for members of the Bond Advisory Committee, and also hosted a ThoughtExchange after the November election. We heard that community members wanted a smaller, more focused bond proposal that does not raise taxes. The February measure was designed to meet both of those requests.  

• Statements that the district is "misguided, misinformed, misgoverned and mismanaged." The district is accountable to, willingly accepts oversight and works in coordination with multiple agencies and organizations including the Washington State Auditor, the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the King County Assessor's Office, the Public Disclosure Commission, the City of Issaquah, the City of Sammamish and more. In addition, the district last year added a controller and a Capital Projects accountant as new internal controls. This year, we are establishing a Capital Projects Oversight Committee with experts in finance and construction management as well as community volunteers as an additional layer of accountability. 

• Statements that say “Teachers Not Bleachers!” The district cannot use capital project bond funds for salaries to pay teachers or any other district position. This bond will fund the design and construction of capital projects. 

Looking for more facts about Proposition 1? Visit our bond website, Common Questions page, or our YouTube Channel, where we have several videos about the bond and related subjects.