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The proposal includes building a second elementary school to alleviate overcrowding, district-wide safety improvements, and a new job readiness education building at the high school.
The Hockinson School District School Board voted unanimously on October 28 to place a bond measure on the February 11, 2025, Special Election ballot. The proposal focuses on community-prioritized projects including building a second elementary school, district-wide safety improvements, a new job readiness education building at the high school, a replacement multi-use high school track and field, and a covered outdoor area at the middle school.
If approved by voters, the bond would fund the construction of a second elementary school next to Hockinson Meadows Park to relieve overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School (HHES). At 924 students, HHES is the largest elementary school by student population in Clark County. One in three HHES students spends most of their school day in one of the school’s 24 portable classrooms, and lunch periods range from 9:50 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. due to cafeteria capacity limitations. The proposed second elementary school would relieve overcrowding issues and keep school communities in Hockinson small for more personalized learning.
“As a board, our goal is to ensure that Hockinson schools provide safe, high-quality learning environments for all of our students. We’ve worked hard with our community to create a plan that addresses overcrowding and improves safety for our students while being mindful of the financial impact on our community,” said Teresa VanNatta, Hockinson School District school board member.
The bond would also fund district-wide safety improvements. The proposal would make it possible to bring all Hockinson schools to the same safety standards, with automatic lockdown capabilities and digital messaging displays for emergency instructions in all classrooms. There is currently no capability to automatically secure exterior doors during a lockdown situation at HHES. Improvements at the HHES campus will include enhancing security with upgraded perimeter fencing, replacing the majority of portable classrooms, and constructing a new main building. These changes would improve safety and help to minimize lost instructional time by reducing the amount of time students spend walking outdoors between buildings.
Construction of a Career & Technical Education building for job readiness education at Hockinson High School is included in the bond. The building would be a hands-on space for students to explore trade skills. If the bond is approved, Hockinson School District will be able to leverage matching funds and in-kind donations from local benefactors to complete the construction, lessening the impact on local taxpayers.
A replacement track and synthetic turf field at Hockinson High School would make it possible to have year-round, multi-use access and reduce annual maintenance costs. Use of the current high school grass field is limited because it’s susceptible to fall and winter water damage and doesn’t meet postseason athletic competition requirements. A covered outdoor area to protect students from weather during physical activities, recess, and lunch at Hockinson Middle School is also included in the bond proposal.
These projects would be completed for about $44/month,or a net increase of $0.71 per $1000, for the owner of a $750,000 home. As an existing bond rate drops off, this bond would take its place and increase the school tax rate by 71 cents. The total bond tax rate would be $1.42 per $1000.
Community input has been the heart of the bond proposal process. The Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) conducted a series of four district-wide family surveys this year. Paired with research into solution options, the FPC reached a final recommendation to the school board this fall. The FPC is a group made up of community members, staff, and one school board member.
“This bond proposal is the result of listening to families and working together to find solutions that make sense for Hockinson," said James Walter, community member serving on the Facilities Planning Committee, engineer, and Hockinson School District parent.
In Washington, bond measures, typically utilized for major capital improvements, require a 60% supermajority to pass, as compared to a levy, which requires 50% +1 to pass. Learn more about bonds and levies.
For more information, visit the Hockinson School District bond website at hocksd.org/bond.