EV schools bond looks destined to fail

The East Valley bond measure to modernize three schools appeared headed for failure after Tuesday’s election. It had 54.28 percent approval at press time Wednesday, but requires a supermajority of 60 percent to pass.

“We are disappointed,” said Superintendent Debra Howard. “We appreciate all the help and support we had from the community and the staff.”

The district will likely try to get the bond on the May 20 ballot. “I think that 54 percent is not bad for our first time,” Howard said. “We’re going to have to do better at telling the rest of the community about our need.”

There also seems to have been confusion on what percentage the measure needed to pass, she said. The Legislature recently changed the law to allow school levies to pass with a 50 percent plus one majority, but bonds must still meet the super majority requirement.

“It seems to be a finer detail that got lost,” she said.

The district was on the same ballot as the Spokane County jail tax increase and a proposal to build a new Spokane Valley Library. The jail tax passed while the library bond failed. “All the items on this ballot were asking for money,” said district spokeswoman Judi Christianson. “In the economic times, it may be difficult.”

The $33 million bond would have paid to completely modernize Mountain View Middle School, East Valley Middle School and Otis Orchards Elementary. The district is eligible for $22 in matching funds from the state. The bond would have cost about the same as a bond that will be retiring soon.

“We still have the same concerns this morning,” Christianson said. “We still have three schools we have to upgrade to provide safe learning environments for our students and our staff.

The district is checking to see if it can get the bond on the May ballot and whether it will need to call a special board meeting. Another option is to put the bond on the primary ballot in August. “We do take some solace in knowing we did receive a majority of the vote,” Christianson said.