More detail on school bond issue

 

January 23, 2020

Diana Zimmerman

Students were at work on a variety of subjects, including robotics, in Jeff Rooklidge's classroom on Tuesday afternoon. A section on chemistry will take them outside, as the plumbing is plugged up, and the HVAC doesn't do enough to provide proper ventilation. The Wahkiakum School District is seeking approval of a building bond to finance renovations to school facilities.

My apologies. So many details to try to get right in last week's story about the Wahkiakum School District's 22-year $28.75 million bond to renovate the high school that I completely forgot a really important one, the one that will affect voters in the district.

The district is estimating that if the bond passes, the tax increase would be about $3.37 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Diana Zimmerman

Students take advantage of a break in the rain to practice grinding outside Kyle Hurley's classroom. The door behind them is left open to provide ventilation for students who are inside, learning to weld and more.

According to Wahkiakum County Assessor Bill Coons, the median home in Wahkiakum County is $250,000. That homeowner could expect an annual increase of $842.50.

For a home assessed at $250,200, the owner currently pays $2,145 every year in property taxes. If the bond passes, he would pay $2,987.50.

That's a nearly 40 percent increase, Coons said.

Some senior and disabled homeowners may qualify for property tax exemption based on income. They should contact the assessor's office for more information.

Ballots for the February 11 special election on the bond will be mailed on January 24.

There will be open houses on the bond issue and tours of Wahkiakum High School beginning at 4:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday for the next three weeks.

There will also be a meeting to discuss the financial details at 7 p.m. on January 29 at the high school.

 

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