Have you ever wondered how school bonds work exactly? Sometimes when our school district comes to us asking for a bond, we are confused by the process. We have a lot of questions about where the money is going to go, and what exactly our kids get out of us choosing to “Vote YES for Schools.”
A bond is kind of like a mortgage which is paid back over time. When we vote “yes” on a bond what happens is that our schools are given money from property owners using a mathematical formula in order to pay for building related costs for schools in our district. The money goes to updating buildings which are in disrepair, modernizing buildings for energy efficiency, putting in turf sports fields and tracks which need little maintenance and don’t need replacement for over a decade. This can save a school district millions. Bonds keep money in the classroom. Without bonds, these building related costs have to be completed anyway. For instance if a school’s roof is caving in, or heating system breaks, the cost has to be taken from somewhere, which is classroom funding—including teachers.
Bonds are put forth by school districts, although school districts are not allowed to campaign for the bonds (that’s why the grassroots, non-profit Volunteers for Issaquah Schools organization exists).
Currently, the Issaquah School District is putting a bond before voters on April 17, 2012. This bond will rebuild some schools, provide critical maintenance and repairs, update many buildings for energy efficiency, and more. This includes replacing portables and increasing safety for children through building design.
Top 5 Reasons to Vote YES for the BOND
