Ballots due Tuesday in Battle Ground schools bond election

Ballots are due Tuesday for this month’s special election, which will determine the fate of school facilities funding in Battle Ground Public Schools.

Only voters in the Battle Ground Public Schools district are eligible to vote in this election, which, if approved, will provide $224.9 million in school bonds to the north county school district.

Voter turnout as of Thursday was 26.1 percent, about 10 percent shy of turnout for the same measure in February, according to the Clark County Elections Office. The measure failed with 58.7 percent support. Bond measures require 60 percent support to pass.

The district cites overcrowding, especially at its growing south end near Mount Vista, and dated buildings among the reasons for running the bond. Critics question how the funding measure could affect their property taxes, and whether the district needs the full slate of projects it’s planning to complete.

District projects suggest even if the bond is approved, school tax rates, including bonds, local levies and the state levy, will drop from $7.02 per $1,000 in assessed property value this year to $5.67 per $1,000 next year.

The bond would pay for the following projects:

• Replace Glenwood Heights Primary School, Laurin Middle School, and Pleasant Valley Primary and Middle schools.

• Build a new primary and middle school campus at the southern end of the district on 152nd Avenue.

• Develop an Alternative Learning Experience school — the district’s CAM Academy — on district-owned land.

• Replace some buildings at Prairie High School.

• Renovate one building and the gym at Amboy Middle School.

• Replace flooring and improve student recreation at some campuses.

• Improve technology access.

• Improve security and safety at all campuses.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday. Dropped-off ballots must be delivered to a drop-off site by no later than 8 p.m. For a full list of drop-off sites, visit clark.wa.gov/elections.

The Columbian will be following the election results live beginning Tuesday evening. Follow along on Twitter using #ClarkElex.