Deer Park seeks bond

The day before ballots hit the mail boxes of Deer Park voters last month, the school superintendent and a swarm of parents, school staff, community members and children hit the streets with campaign signs.

And they’ve been out on the street nearly every day since.

“We aren’t trying brow beat people but just making sure they have the information needed,” said Mick Miller, Deer Park schools superintendent. “What we want to get out to people, is that they need to vote.”

Deer Park voters are being asked, again, to approve a $24 million construction bond during the special election May 15. It’s the fourth such attempt.

The last election in February failed to gather the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. The issue received 59.1 percent approval. The measure would cost taxpayers $1.39 per 1,000 of assessed valuation, or $208 a year for a $150,000 home.

“It was a swing of 30 this time that would have made the difference,” Miller said. Previously, the issue failed by just four votes. “Again, it’s just so close.”

The bond issue is needed to modernize and expand Deer Park High School. The aging facility was built in 1979 and has not received any major updates since.

Deer Park, located in north Spokane County, is also one of the few school districts in the area that has continued to grow. In the last year about 270 new students have walked through the doors. The high school, built for about 500 students, now has more than 650 students.

The new design includes features that the community asked for, including a second gymnasium, a library and theater that would all be available for the community’s use. The district includes parts of Spokane, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties.

Each time the district puts the issue on the ballot, it costs about $5,000, Miller said.

“I think we are on the right track, but I don’t necessarily know what the plan will be,” if the bond issue fails again, Miller said. “I know we don’t want to do another election next year.”