Thank you for your support of Proposition 1 -- the $500 million bond issue voters approved in February that will replace 14 schools and make nearly 200 health, safety, security and other upgrades at just about every school in the district.
The 70.71 percent YES vote for Proposition 1 exceeded the district's expectations. No previous school bond issue in the history of Tacoma had received more than 62 percent support. That kind of support means a lot. It shows community members understand the physical needs of Tacoma schools, which have continued to deteriorate after failed bond issues in 2006 and 2009. And it shows a growing community confidence in the good work Tacoma Public Schools is doing to improve the academic success of Tacoma students.
Thank you, again, for your support of Tacoma Public Schools and all the children of Tacoma.
Background:
Planning & Construction has completed 22 projects – new construction as well as modernizations. This has been an enormous undertaking approved by the Tacoma voters with the 1997 tax levy, 2001 bond issue and the 2010 levy. Building and modernizing a school is not just moving earth, erecting steel and applying bricks and mortar. Planning & Construction also coordinates moving students, teachers, administration and materials from one building to another during the construction phase. Also, Planning & Construction plans, purchases and places furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the new buildings.