Question 1

What is Bond?

Accepted Answer

A bond provides funding for capital projects such as purchasing property for schools, constructing new schools, or modernizing existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years. Bonds require a super majority to pass (60%).

Question 2

Didn't we just vote on something for the school district?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we did!  In 2022 voters approved a Capital Projects levy.  The levy funded the repair of the roofs of SMS & SES, upgrade security features.  It also provided funding to maintain other programs in the district, such as technology, sports & other educational programs.

Most notably, the levy funded the construction of the Transportation Co-op, to service the districts fleet of busses.  This was previously being accomplished in a condemned building.  The new Co-op also allows the district to offer fleet servicing to other entities in the Valley, such as the Fire Districts, Index School District, and others...creating a net positive revenue source for the School District!

A full list of projects (and their status) covered by this levy can be found on the District website here:
 
https://www.sultanschools.org/o/ssd/page/levy-capital-projects(https://www.sultanschools.org/o/ssd/page/levy-capital-projects)

Question 3

How much is this going to cost?

Accepted Answer

School construction & modernization is expensive.  Here's the breakdown of the costs:

• New Elementary School: $47,972,345
 • Gold Bar Elementary School Expansion & Modernization: $29,085,431
 • Sultan Elementary School: $2,658,486
 • Old Bus Barn Demo: $278,738
 • Total Cost:  $79,995,000

Question 4

Do the builders pay money to the district when they build houses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they do!  These are known as Impact Fees.

Each builder pays impact fees when they apply for building permits with the city &  county.

It's important to note that Washington State law requires that School districts must have additional funding sources and may not rely solely on impact fees to fund improvements or operations (RCW 82.02.050)(http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=82.02.050).

Read more about how impact fees work here:

https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/january-2018/the-ins-and-outs-of-school-impact-fees (https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/january-2018/the-ins-and-outs-of-school-impact-fees)

Question 5

Can we build a bigger schools to plan for the future?

Accepted Answer

Washington state funding rules only allow for building to current needs, not forecasted needs.

Question 6

Doesn't the state help with school construction?

Accepted Answer

YES!  The state of Washington provides matching funding with the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP).

Our bond proposal includes $11 million in matching state funds.

You can read more about SCAP here, at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instructions (OSPI) website:

https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/school-buildings-facilities/school-construction-assistance-program-scap (https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/school-buildings-facilities/school-construction-assistance-program-scap)

Question 7

What happens if more people move into the district?  Won't the district collect more than they asked for?

Accepted Answer

NO.  The district can only collect the amount approved by the voters.  No more than that.  The more tax payers that move into the district, the more the total approved amount is spread out.

Here's a good video that explains how levy and bond taxes are collected:

https://youtu.be/uUqKJG7-c1E