Why bonds failed in Western WA

Posted on 16. Mar, 2009 by admin.

AP writer Donna Gordon Blankinship filed a great report exploring why bonds failed in Western Washington while most passed on the eastern side.   She interviewed Jon Gores at Seattle-based D.A. Davidson & Co., the leading underwriter of school bonds and a supporter of LEV’s Levy Library, to answer the question.

Here’s an excerpt:

“We’ve been kind of scratching our heads on that too,” Gores said Friday.

He said major employers such as Starbucks Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Boeing Co. have announced layoffs in Western Washington, while most Eastern Washington communities have been spared job cuts so far. Home prices have also dropped more dramatically on the western side of the Cascade Mountains.

Click here to read the full story.

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March 10 levy and bond results

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by admin.

More than 30 school districts ran levy and/or bond elections yesterday.  The majority of school levies are passing, however bonds continue to struggle to reach the 60 percent supermajority requirement.

Congratulations to the children, parents and educators in the Snoqualmie Valley School District!  Their bond is passing by 65 percent.  The district previously ran three unsuccessful attempts to construct modern, new school buildings.  The current bond, however, was paired down significantly and will only renovate schools and add more portable classrooms.

Here’s a list of some of the levy and bond results from last night.

March 2009 Levy/Bond Elections

School District	Type	Approve	Reject	% Approve	Status
Auburn School District	Bond	4571	5997	42.35	Failing
Bickleton School District	Bond	135	35	79.41	Passing
Burlington-Edison School District	Bond	1993	2285	46.59	Failing
Kennewick School District	Bond	8831	6271	58.48	Failing
Puyallup School District	Bond	9176	10,541	46.54	Failing
Snoqualmie Valley School District	Bond	5328	2767	65.82	Passing
Spokane School District	Bond	29,187	17,685	62.27	Passing
Tacoma School District	Bond	13,929	16,059	46.45	Failing
Vashon Island School District	Bond	1878	2032	48.03	Failing
W. Valley School District (Yakima)	Bond	3745	4045	48.07	Failing
Auburn School District	Capital Levy	4631	5983	42.72	Failing
Longview School District	Capital Levy	4,359	2,910	59.97	Passing
Puyallup School District	Capital Levy	9119	10,589	46.27	Failing
Bickleton School District	Levy	140	31	81.87	Passing
Eastmont School District	Levy	3157	2473	56.07	Passing
Longview School District	Levy	4,567	2,715	62.72	Passing
Oak Harbor School District	Levy	3703	4701	44.06	Failing
Oak Harbor School District	Levy	4277	4140	50.81	Passing
Spokane School District	Levy	30,539	16,499	64.92	Passing
Toppenish School District	Levy	559	550	50.41	Passing
Wenatchee School District	Levy	5845	3373	63.41	Passing

 

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Children and Schools Are Counting On Your Vote Tomorrow

Posted on 09. Mar, 2009 by admin.

Our children and schools are counting on us to vote YES to approve local school levies and bonds tomorrow.

View a list of March 10th school levy and bond elections.

If your school district is on the list, visit your school district’s home page for more information about the levy and/or bond.

Your YES vote on a school levy provides critical funding that supports student learning. The levy helps fund smaller class sizes, new textbooks, student transportation, technology, bilingual and special education services, and student activities.

A YES vote on a school bond will fund renovation or construction of new schools in your community. Bond elections still require a 60 percent supermajority to pass.

For your vote to count, please postmark and mail your ballot by Tuesday, March 10th.

We know economic times are tough in our state. However, our economy will eventually recover. A levy failure can impact a child’s quality of education for years to come.

To get involved, share best practices, and learn more about school levy and bond elections, visit the League of Education Voters Levy Library.

Thank you for supporting our schools.

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Schools Are Counting On Your Vote Next Tuesday

Posted on 30. Jan, 2009 by admin.

Our students are counting on us to vote YES to approve local school levies and bonds on Tuesday, February 3rd.

Click here to view a list of February 3rd school levy and bond elections.

If your school district is on the list, visit your school district’s home page for more information about the levy and/or bond.

Your YES vote on a school levy provides critical funding that supports student learning. The levy helps fund smaller class sizes, new textbooks, student transportation, technology, bilingual and special education services, and student activities.

A YES vote on a school bond will fund renovation or construction of new schools in your community. Bond elections still require a 60 percent supermajority to pass.

Please postmark and mail your ballot by Tuesday, February 3rd.

We know economic times are tough in our state. However, our economy will eventually recover. A levy failure can impact a child’s quality of education for years to come.

To get involved, share best practices, and learn more about school levy and bond elections, visit the League of Education Voters Levy Library.

Thank you for supporting our schools.

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