2 Seattle school measures appear to be winning approval of voters

Seattle voters appeared Tuesday night to be approving two measures that would raise $887 million in property taxes to fund new and renovated school buildings, as well as basic educational programs.

The bond and levy package continues existing taxes, and each must pass by 60 percent. At least 90,873 voters must go to the polls to validate the election. In 2001, the building levy passed by 71 percent, while the education component garnered 72 percent.

Although it may take several days to count absentee ballots, Seattle Superintendent Raj Manhas said he was optimistic the public would continue to support the district and its multiyear building plan, which began in 1995.

"I am hopeful that the citizens of Seattle really care for public education and that will be shown in the results," Manhas said. "Without strong public education in our city, we cannot promise a great future for our kids."

On the Eastside, early returns showed Snoqualmie Valley was shy of the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. The district is asking for a $209.2 million bond -- the largest in its history. More than half of the money would be used to construct a second high school.

Voters in Riverview were approving a $56.6 million bond, which would remodel or repair nearly all of the district's schools -- including four elementary schools, the middle school and high school.

Both Eastside measures also require a minimum number of votes to validate.

Seattle's Proposition 1 would, among other things, replace Denny Middle School and create a shared campus with a renovated Chief Sealth High School ($125 million); renovate Nathan Hale High School ($77.6 million); and remodel historic Hamilton Middle School ($73.5 million). It would also reconstruct the South Shore building($64.7 million), home to The New School, which is supported by a private foundation.

If the measure passes, the district will undertake various water, air-quality and athletic-fields improvements ($26 million) and upgrade technology in the classroom ($42 million).

Proposition 1 would allow the Seattle School District to issue $490 million of general-obligation bonds for six years. The estimated average tax rate is about 66 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $264 a year for a $400,000 home.

The Educational Programs & Operations Levy, Proposition 2, accounts for 24 percent of the district's general fund, and pays for teacher salaries, special-education services and full-day kindergarten for low-income families, among other programs.

Proposition 2 would run for a shorter time, until 2010. The levy would break down to an average tax rate of $1.17 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $468 per year for a $400,000 home.

Schools First, the pro-bond-and-levy campaign, orchestrated phone banks and distributed yard signs. The opposition, led by the Seattle Committee to Save Schools, focused on the voters pamphlet, which decried the district's record managing public works and questioned why some schools weren't on the list for repairs.

Chris Jackins, who wrote the statement against the measures, was philosophical Tuesday night: "I feel hopeful that some information got out to the public."

Seattle Times Eastside bureau reporter Rachel Tuinstra contributed to this report.

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com