Hood Canal Schools plan to rerun building bond

The Hood Canal School District's proposed $33.5-million building bond fell 45 votes short of passing in the November general election. District voters will see the proposal again on the Feb. 13 ballot.

The Hood Canal School Board on Nov. 21 voted to put the same proposal in front of voters.

The Nov. 7 ballot received 58.1%, short of the 60% super majority required.

The board didn't alter the request because "the needs haven't changed," said Superintendent Lance Gibbon.

He added, "The board felt there was clearly majority support for the measure."

One thing is different: the new proposed collection would be $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value, compared with $1.16 in the November request.

That's because when assessed property value goes up, the rate goes down.

That equation confuses some residents, Gibbon said.

The bond would pay for two preschool classrooms, an ADA-accessible preschool playground, spaces for visual and performing arts, a larger library with space for projects, a science lab, an engineering/technology project lab and an ADA-accessible playground with expended covered area for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.

Hood Canal wants "what other districts take for granted, like a music room, playgrounds accessible to all students, spaces for science labs ... It's important (the students) are receiving the same educational opportunities," Gibbon said.

The 70-year-old transportation center is deteriorating and creates safety issues being located so close to the school.

Passage of the bond would create a new transportation center on the other side of the athletic track.

If the district can persuade another district to form a transportation co-op, the district will receive matching money from the state, Gibbon said.

Currently, the school buses drop students off on the playground behind the school.

Passage of the bond would create a safer bus loop in front of the school.