The Seattle Times Editorial Board urged voters on Mercer Island, as well as those living in the Issaquah and Renton school districts, to support the school bond requests to rebuild aging school facilities.
The is asking voters to approve $196 million in bonds, while the Renton School District is asking for a $96 million bond and Issaquah, $219 million.
The endorsement, which explains that building now amidst rock-bottom interest rates and well-vetted capital improvement plans are a good value, sympathizes with local voters who have been hit hard by the recession and are now being asked to increase taxes on themselves.
The bonds must receive 60 percent approval and at least 40 percent of voters from the last general election must vote. On Mercer Island, at least 3,971 votes must be cast for the election to be valid.
The offered in March.
According to the Seattle Times, "some voters are likely feeling pinched by funding requests coming from other areas of government in addition to schools. Prioritizing is the proper approach. Schools should be at the top of the priority list."
"We've raised the bar for student achievement. Students learn better in safe, modernized schools with well-equipped classrooms." Read the full endorsement here.
