A campaign gets under way this weekend to encourage Tukwila’s citizens to vote in the February election for a $99 million bond measure and renewal of the Tukwila School District’s two levies.
A minimum turnout is critical in the election in order to validate the bond measure, which will pay for new school construction and improvements. The minimum turnout is 1,023 or 40 percent of the votes cast in the Nov. 3 general election. And the bond measure must receive a 60 percent yes vote. In the case of the minimum turnout that’s 614 yes votes.
The two levies – the four-year School Programs and Operations Levy and Technology Levy – require a simple majority yes vote for approval. They are renewals of current levies.
District officials estimate that approval of the bond and levies won’t increase the school tax rate for Tukwila taxpayers because all three are replacing current ones.
School supporters will be reaching out to the community in a number of ways – by phone, yard signs, doorbelling and social media. Here’s how to help.
• PHONE BANKING on Friday, Jan. 22, 3-6 p.m.: 20 volunteers are needed for two 1½ hour sessions (3-4:30 and 4:30-6 p.m.). School employees can sign up through their unions at schools.
• YARD SIGNS: If you live in the district and have a yard to put one, email lmalbrecht@gmail.com and reserve one – and ask others to get one, too.
• DOORBELLING Jan. 9, 16 and 23: The citizens committee is looking for 20 volunteers on these days to pound the pavement from 10 a.m.to noon and talk with citizens about the measures and why they are so important. You can also sign up to talk to neighbors about the measures on your own — the committee will supply the materials. Those interested in volunteering can email yestukwilaschools@gmail.com.
• SOCIAL MEDIA: Show support through personal social media accounts and encourage others to vote to pass the measures.
