In February 2017 some of you will see Capital Bond requests on your ballot. In this report we’ll share details of each bond, explain what it will be used for and try to give you a sense of the financial impact. In the end it’s up to you whether to support it or not. We will offer our thoughts for your consideration but suggest you reach out to your school district for more details (and share them with us).
What is a Capital Bond? It’s a bond (can range from 21-40 years) that obligates tax payers to pay for construction of a facility (building or athletic facility). It’s a physical asset like a building or sports field or other tangible physical item.
Hockinson
- Hockinson School District No. 98 Resolution No. 16-17-02, concerning a capital levy for athletic improvements at Hockinson High School main athletic field
- This is a special levy asking for $250,000 per year for 6 years for a total of $1,500,000
- The fund use is to improve the main athletic field at the High School to put down artificial turf
- 1,865 students as of May 2016. This works out to $804 per student.
- Analysis: The open question is whether the general tax payer should pay for an athletic field or whether boosters and outside supporters should step in.
Ridgefield
- Ridgefield School District No. 122 Resolution No. 2016-2017-004, concerning general obligation bonds
- $77.965 million with a term of 21 years
- Construct and equip a new school complex containing a 5th/6th intermediate school and a 7th/8th middle school
- Expand Ridgefield High School through the construction of a new classroom building to house science, fine arts, special education, general education, a library/media center and admin offices
- Make safety and security upgrades at Union Ridge Elementary School and South Ridge Elementary School
- Re-purpose View Ridge Middle School to include consolidated space for district administration, expanded community education programming and space for a partner agency
- They anticipate receiving $15.5 million in matching funds from the State (so the total spend would be about $93.4 million)
- 2,509 students as of May 2016 (reported to OSPI). This equates to $31,074 PER Student.
- Student growth in the past five (5) years has been +343 or +68 per year
- Analysis: Based on the student population growth history the amount could be considered excessive. How many years out are they building to accommodate?
Vancouver
- Vancouver School District No. 37 Resolution No. 772, concerning general obligation bonds
- $458 million payable over 21 years
- Replace and demolish Ogden; Marshall; Truman; MLK; Walnut Grove; McLoughlin Middle School; Lieser and Fir Grove Children’s Center
- Build the following new schools: iTech Prep School; 25th Ave Elementary; Downtown Elementary
- Update/Modernize: Sacajawea Elementary; Franklin Elementary; Vancouver School of Arts; Columbia River High and Kiggins Bowl
- Improvements and remodeling: Anderson; Chinook; Eisenhower; Felida; Fruit Valley; Harney; Hazel Dell; Hough; Lakeshore; Lincoln; Minnehaha; Roosevelt; Salmon Creek; Washington Elementary; Alki; Discovery; Gaiser; Jason Lee; Thomas Jefferson M.S.; Fort Vancouver; Hudson’s Bay; Skyview; Flex Academy H.S.; Gateway; Facility Support Services Center; Jim Parsley; Transportation Facility and Propstra Aquatic
- They project receiving $50 million from the State
- 23,448 students as of May 2016 (year-end count to the State). This means that they will spend $19,532 PER student.
- Student population growth in the past five (5) years has been +1,256 or ~251 per year
- Analysis: This is a complete reconstruction of the schools in the district. Given the last approved levy adding this on top appears to be unwarranted. The number of projects, the cost for homeowners on top of all the other increases in fees and taxes could be unbearable. The senior population is especially hard hit.
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