Chief
05-20-2008, 08:52 PM
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/05/05202008_Evergreen-bond-going-down-decisively-three-others-also-failing.cfm
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By HOWARD BUCK Columbian Staff Writer
Initial returns show voters today are rejecting the largest bond ballot measure in Clark County history, giving Evergreen Public Schools’ $249.8 million construction bond request just 43 percent support.
That’s far short of the 60 percent school bonds require for approval in Washington state.
Simple majority rules apply only to short-term, school operating and maintenance levy requests.
Bond elections in Ridgefield, La Center and Washougal also were being defeated.
At a Vancouver restaurant where Evergreen officials met, there were gasps when returns were announced tonight. Several wiped away tears.
"I'm kind of in shock to be honest," Evergreen Superintendent John Deeder told a small crowd after getting off the phone at 8 p.m. sharp.
"I don't know what to tell you folks," Deeder continued. "All we can say is that the economy got us this time."
Trying for optimism, he said: "We're going to have to go back and figure out the best time to go back and get it."
La Center was receiving 40 percent approval; Ridgefield 51 percent approval; and Washougal about 37 percent approval. All needed 60 percent approval.
The $250 million bond for Evergreen Public Schools would have rebuilt three grade schools, constructed a middle school and health-bioscience high school and paid for many other district improvements.
In Washougal, the bond would have paid for a kindergarten-through-eighth grade school and improvements to high school sports facilities.
In La Center, the bond would have paid for the construction of an elementary school.
And in Ridgefield, the bond would have paid for a new high school and other wide-ranging changes.
I don't know why these folks are shocked that the voters are in no mood to raise taxes...
Shot down in flames...
cewl
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By HOWARD BUCK Columbian Staff Writer
Initial returns show voters today are rejecting the largest bond ballot measure in Clark County history, giving Evergreen Public Schools’ $249.8 million construction bond request just 43 percent support.
That’s far short of the 60 percent school bonds require for approval in Washington state.
Simple majority rules apply only to short-term, school operating and maintenance levy requests.
Bond elections in Ridgefield, La Center and Washougal also were being defeated.
At a Vancouver restaurant where Evergreen officials met, there were gasps when returns were announced tonight. Several wiped away tears.
"I'm kind of in shock to be honest," Evergreen Superintendent John Deeder told a small crowd after getting off the phone at 8 p.m. sharp.
"I don't know what to tell you folks," Deeder continued. "All we can say is that the economy got us this time."
Trying for optimism, he said: "We're going to have to go back and figure out the best time to go back and get it."
La Center was receiving 40 percent approval; Ridgefield 51 percent approval; and Washougal about 37 percent approval. All needed 60 percent approval.
The $250 million bond for Evergreen Public Schools would have rebuilt three grade schools, constructed a middle school and health-bioscience high school and paid for many other district improvements.
In Washougal, the bond would have paid for a kindergarten-through-eighth grade school and improvements to high school sports facilities.
In La Center, the bond would have paid for the construction of an elementary school.
And in Ridgefield, the bond would have paid for a new high school and other wide-ranging changes.
I don't know why these folks are shocked that the voters are in no mood to raise taxes...
Shot down in flames...
cewl