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What is a Bond?
A bond is the only way to raise construction funding. The school district sells bonds and then pays them back over time. Construction funding DOES NOT take away from education funding. Voters must approve a bond before any construction can begin.
Why do you need a referendum if schools were given extra funding from the education bill that the legislature passed in the 2023 session?
While we are grateful for the legislature's investment in our schools, the funding schools received in the education bill does not address facility needs. The only way to raise enough money to build new and expand existing schools is to ask voters to approve a referendum.
What happens if any of the bond questions or the technology levy fail?
Question 1:
- Secured entrances, additions at East Ridge and Oltman, and high school renovations are put on hold.
- Overcrowding continues
- Consider alternative scheduling and course delivery options for high schools
- Review grade configurations at all levels
- At this time, no changes to high school boundaries.
- Bond Question 2 also fails.
- Attendance boundary changes at elementary schools will be implemented for the 2024-25 school year.
- Middle school boundaries will be adjusted to keep elementary school cohorts together as much as possible.
Question 2:
- Instead of constructing additions at elementary schools projected to exceed capacity, attendance boundary changes would occur at the elementary level for the 2024-25 school year.
- Middle school boundaries will be adjusted to keep elementary school cohorts together as much as possible.
- Crestview, Hillside, Pine Hill, Pullman and Royal Oaks will continue with one set of bathrooms.
Question 3 (Technology Levy):
- The general fund will be used to provide funding for infrastructure for technology connectivity to our school buildings.
If Question 1 fails will there be boundary changes for middle and high school students?
There won’t be any immediate boundary changes, however, SoWashCo Schools will take about a year to consider potential options such as alternative scheduling, course delivery options, grade configurations and/or going back to voters to address facility space needs.
Will the pool at Woodbury High School close if Question 1 passes?
SoWashCo Schools is not in the design phase of any building project. If the referendum passes, work will begin to design any renovations and additions in our schools. With respect to the pool at Woodbury High School (WHS), several options are still being considered including closing the pool at WHS to expand the kitchen and cafeteria. If that design is chosen, there will be planning and communication to address the designated locations for swim team practice and competitions.
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