Bellevue Chamber Endorses School Bond Measure
BSD Bond
Bellevue Chamber Endorses School Bond Measure
Business Community Supports Bellevue School Improvements
BELLEVUE, WA – The Bellevue Chamber today announced its support for the upcoming school bond measure on the February 11, 2020 ballot. The Chamber Policy Council, a group of business leaders from both sides of Lake Washington, made the recommendation following the decision by the Bellevue School Board, to seek approval from the voters to raise up to $675,000,000 in bond proceeds.
The Chamber does not take lightly the prospect of increased property taxes. However, business leaders understand the workforce of tomorrow, is receiving an education in local public schools today. After years of a declining student population, enrollment in Bellevue Public Schools is again on the rise. Recently, the District opened the new Wilburton Elementary to accommodate students from families living in the rapidly growing residential areas of Downtown Bellevue, Bel-Red and Wilburton.
However, other existing facilities are aging and require badly needed capital improvements. BSD Proposition One would make the following investments:
- Rebuild Bellevue Big Picture School;
- Rebuild the International School;
- Rebuild Jing Mei Elementary School;
- Expand Newport High School;
- Expand Interlake High School;
- Undertake district-wide safety/security improvements;
- Expand the District’s transportation facilities;
- Rebuild education service centers
If approved, the local property tax rate paid for local schools will increase by 3 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of less than 1 percent. According to the Bellevue School District, for the average home of $850,000, a Bellevue resident currently paying $2.43 per $1,000 of assessed property value, will see an increase by 3 cents a year, to $2.46 per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $25.50 per year total.
Over a dozen years ago, voters amended the state constitution to eliminate the supermajority voting requirement for local school district excess operating levies. However, the requirement remains in place for bond measures, so every vote will count in this special election.