Politics & Government

Seattle King County Realtors Endorse Issaquah School Bond

The special election, scheduled for April 17, will require a supermajority to pass, and would reduce local school taxes.

proposal has been endorsed by the Seattle King County Realtors® (SKCR). The measure, Prop. No. 1, seeks $219 million to fund an array of projects over the next eight years.

Voters will decide the outcome on a special election scheduled for April 17.  The bond requires a supermajority (60%+1) to pass.

Proponents of the measure, organized as Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (visvote.org), say with passage, in relation to current tax expenditures, residents can expect to see a decrease in local school taxes because old bond debt is expiring. The owner of a $500,000 home would pay about $215 less per year, according to their calculations.

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SKCR president Wolf Puls said the endorsement was by unanimous vote of the association’s Governmental & Public Affairs Committee, which considered several factors in its deliberations.

“We believe the Issaquah School District’s bond measure is necessary to accommodate growth and fund critical maintenance and repairs,” Puls stated in announcing the Realtors’ endorsement.  He said SKCR members—who voted unanimously in favor of endorsement—were impressed by the district’s construction management record, notably a decade of completing $325 million in projects on schedule and within budget, as well as achieving Moody’s highest AAA rating.

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David Crowell, SKCR’s director of governmental & public affairs, said there is a compelling need for funding. In a letter to Dr. Steve Rasmussen, the district superintendent, he said Realtor members will be urged to vote “yes.” The association will also encourage its members who live and work in Issaquah to help promote passage of the measures.

Realtor Joan Probala, a managing broker at Windermere Real Estate/East in Issaquah and long-time leader with various business and civic organizations in the city, cited several reasons that contributed to the favorable support, including:

  • The need to accommodate growth, citing an 18.6 percent increase in student population in the past decade.
  • The need to rebuild obsolete schools, including three facilities that are more than 50 years old, near the end of their lifespan.
  • Critical maintenance and repairs for deteriorating facilities across the district, including safety and security enhancements.
  • The Issaquah School Board’s recognition in 2011 as a Board of Distinction. Only 16 districts in Washington received the award, presented by the Washington State School Directors’ Association to honor effective use of the Washington School Board Standards.

Probala, the president-elect of the Seattle King County Realtors, said committee members were also impressed by the district’s academic achievements as a reflection of is motto to “learn locally and compete globally.” She cited the impressive number of teachers who have earned the prestigious National Board Certification, the district’s distinction in being recognized on the College Board’s 2nd Annual AP® Honor Roll, and students’ outscoring the state and nation on SAT and ACT college entrance exams, as noteworthy examples.

“Issaquah has earned the support of Realtors and deserves a strong “yes” vote from voters,” stated David Crowell, SKCR’s director of governmental & public affairs.  “The positive impact of schools on property values is well-documented and our members can attest to the fact that homes in high-performing districts are highly valued.”

Puls, SKCR’s president and a broker at Windermere Real Estate, said good schools are the first thing homebuyers ask about. “Good schools are essential for preserving the value of family homes. They are critical for economic vitality and job creation,” he emphasized.

Schools also unify and define communities, Puls remarked. “But most important, quality schools are crucial to the futures of the students in the Issaquah School District.”

Puls said the association also endorsed three other school funding measures, which are part of a special election scheduled for Feb. 14 (prior to the Issaquah bond vote). They include proposals from the Auburn, Renton, and Tukwila school districts. “We are very proud to be associated with real estate industry leaders who stand firmly committed to a healthy community, and to the success of the children whose families our Realtors® serve,” he commented.

The Seattle KingCounty Realtors®, with more than 5,000 members, is a local board of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Its members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and participate in matters at all levels of government that affect private property rights, housing supplies, affordability and homeownership opportunities. Membership is voluntary, and only members may use the term Realtor®, which is a licensed collective trademark. 

—Information from the Seattle KingCounty Realtors


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