For the Reporter
The Auburn School District has scheduled six community forums to provide information about the bond measure on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Residents are invited to attend.
The bond, if passed, would provide additional classrooms, modern learning facilities and improved safety.
The forums are scheduled for:
• 6 p.m. Sept. 22, Lea Hill Elementary, 30908 124th Ave. SE
• 5 p.m. Sept. 27, Chinook Elementary, 3502 Auburn Way S
• 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Dick Scobee Elementary, 1031 14th St. NE
• 6 p.m. Oct. 3, Pioneer Elementary, 2301 M St. SE
• 6 p.m. Oct. 5, Terminal Park Elementary, 1101 D St. SE
• 6 p.m. Oct. 11, Olympic Middle School, 1825 K St. SE
These six schools were identified by two citizens’ ad hoc committees as the most in need of replacing. Superintendent Alan Spicciati will present about the bond and tours of the buildings will be available.
The proposed bond will build two additional elementary schools. The district is growing and students need more classroom space. Enrollment has grown by 1,074 students over the last five years. The district expects 1,670 more students in the next five years.
Adding free full-day kindergarten and providing state-supported lower-class sizes have resulted in 102 portables throughout the district and schools using hallways and even closets, in some instances, as classrooms.
Auburn has experienced three consecutive years of falling school tax rates. If passed, the bond would add an estimated $1.03 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to construct eight new schools for $456 million. These projects would bring an estimated $79 million in state matching funds to Auburn.
