Puyallup School Board Advances Bond Measure to April 22 Ballot

Puyallup, WA - February 18, 2025 - In a unanimous decision, the Puyallup School Board approved placing a bond measure on the April 22, 2025, special election ballot. This bond measure addresses the district's critical needs, including overcrowding, aging facilities, and continued growth. The decision to bring the bond measure back to voters comes after the measure, known as Proposition 1, received more than the required 60% approval margin in the February 11th special election but did not meet the 40% voter turnout requirement for validation.

For school bond measures to succeed in Washington State, they must meet two criteria: validation and approval. At least 40% of voters who participated in the previous November general election must vote on the bond measure. Of those, at least 60% must vote in favor. The higher-than-usual voter turnout in the November 2024 general election has raised the votes needed to validate the bond election.

Proposition 1 Details

The $800M bond measure seeks to maintain a tax rate of $4.14 per $1,000 of assessed property value by rolling back the voter-approved 2024 capital levy. The bond would span 21 years (2025-2046) and prioritize expanding high school capacity, replacing and expanding outdated elementary schools (Mt. View, Spinning, and Waller Road), and include the construction of a new elementary school near Emerald Ridge High School and Glacier View Junior High to accommodate future growth in the district's southeast region.

If Proposition 1 is approved, the district would be eligible for up to $152.9 million in state matching funds, which could be used to address additional school needs identified by the Bond Advisory Committee (BAC). State matching funds will help offset future improvement costs for local taxpayers.

The 2024 capital levy, previously approved by voters, focuses on extending the life of existing buildings and complements the bond measure in ensuring that the district can expand, replace, and construct facilities to meet the needs of a growing student population. Over the next 10 years, the district expects to see an increase of approximately 1,000 students in enrollment, which could lead to larger class sizes and affect existing facilities.

Promise to the Community

In a demonstration of commitment to the community, the bond resolution includes a commitment to roll back the capital levy, ensuring transparency and accountability to the community.

While the bond measure aims to maintain the tax rate, it is important to note that any changes in educational funding at the state legislature level could affect taxpayers' February 2026 tax rate. We will know the outcome of these potential changes after the 2025 state legislative session ends. Voters are encouraged to visit www.puyallupsd.org/bond to learn more about Proposition 1.