Posted February 8, 2016 by Valerie Yanni

EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

We need a 60% Yes-vote to pass this bond, so every vote counts! 

By mail: put a first-class stamp on your ballot and mail it back. Your ballot must be postmarked by next Tuesday, April 26th. Please don’t wait until the last minute!

Ballot drop off locations: Return your ballot to a ballot drop off location, no stamp required. Your ballot must be returned to a ballot drop off location by 8pm on April 26th.

1. The Issaquah Police Dept has a drop box right out front 24 hours a day.

2. Sammamish City Hall will have a drop off van on April 23rd 10-5pm; April 25 10-5pm; Election Day April 26 10-8pm

For more information visit the King County Elections website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx

You can track your ballot here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/track-my-ballot.aspx

Dear Issaquah High School PTSA Community,
 
As many of you know we have a bond in the Issaquah School District we will be voting on, on April 26th!
Our school district is growing 500 students a year which is equivalent to an elementary school a year and we need more room for these students!
 
Our PTA, along with all of the other PTA’s in our school district have voted to endorse this bond.
 
Below is a link to help with honk and waves.  Honk and waves are where we stand out on the streets on two days to encourage people to fill out their ballots and vote yes.
                                http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084eabae2aa0f94-2016
The days that have been picked are April 7th (this is the day voters should be receiving their ballots in the mail) and April 25th (the day before ballots need to be mailed).  There are morning shifts and afternoon shifts!  Please spread the word as the more people we have, the more fun it is and also draws more attention to what we are promoting. Our location will be at the corner of Sunset and Front Street.
 
PS Don’t forget if your child is 18 or close to turning 18 or you are new to living in Issaquah that they/you register to vote so they can vote for the bond!  This can be done online.  Here is the link:
                                http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/myvote/olvr.html

Please get out there and vote!

Jody Mull, VIS Representative for IHPTSA (jodymull@comcast.net)

For more information, visit the 2016 school bond information page on the ISD website. For information on current and past school construction, visit the Capital Projects website! Watch this video and see below for lots of School Bond facts. Register to vote here.

Also available in:

Korean
Mandarin
Spanish

Issaquah School Bond - A Few Facts: The Issaquah School District covers 100 square miles and five municipalities. We currently have 24 schools, housing 19,700 students (see graphic below). Since 2001, the ISD has increased its total building space from 36.2 square, but its energy consumption has decreased by 2%! 

Issaquah School Bond - Enrollment & School Buildings:  Our District has grown by nearly 5,000 students in the last ten years and is projected to grow an additional 1,500 to 2,000 students in the next five years. The graphic below shows how the ratio of students to school buildings has increased. More facilities are needed to meet the demand for classroom space. 

Issaquah School Bond - Responsible Financing: The Issaquah School District is one of only a handful of districts in the nation with a Moody’s Aaa rating and an S&P AA+ rating. Only 0.45% of school districts nationwide have this distinction! This allows the district to borrow funds at a lower interest rate and therefore save taxpayers money.

Issaquah School Bond - Cost Comparison:  The Issaquah School District builds top notch facilities at a cost per square foot that is on average lower than that of its neighboring districts.

How will the 2016 Bond Impact Taxes? How does ISD keep your tax rate stable? The District has experienced rapid growth in the total assessed value of property due to continued new construction of housing and commercial properties as well as higher valuations for existing homes. Additionally, in order to support our goal of predictable taxes, the District has structured a decrease in its current long term tax collections allowing for the “new” taxes generated by the 2016 bond to not increase your tax rate.

Issaquah School Bond - Growth & Building: In 1990, student enrollment was 8,600. The District had three high schools, three middle schools and seven elementaries. By 2002, enrollment had climbed to 14,500. Today nearly 19,000 students attend 3 high schools, 5 expanded middle schools, and 15 elementary schools. Over the last 10 years, the Issaquah School District Capital Projects Department has successfully managed approximately $325 million in projects and our schools and support service centers are modern, efficient, cost effective, and equitable district-wide. A variety of sustainable strategies have been used to enhance the learning environment while reducing maintenance and operational costs. Energy efficient construction saves operation dollars that can be used for the classroom.