Referendum 52 Political Story

Referendum 52
Karie Gill
October 18, 2010

School bond referendum on November ballot

    The State is asking voters to approve Referendum 52 this November to help pay for energy efficiency projects for schools.
    If passed, the measure would authorize the state to borrow $505 million over five years by selling bonds. The money generated would be used for financial grants to pay for energy efficient improvements that would lower utility, energy and operational costs.
    “I like the idea of bonds,” said Julia Graves, a junior English major at WSU. “Plus, the more money we put into energy efficiency, the closer we are to renewable energy.”
    The grants would be available to public school districts, public universities, colleges and community colleges, and other public agencies. At least 5 percent of the funds must be available for school districts fewer than 1,000 full-time students.
    “The $505 million is enough to make a difference for schools,” said Michael Morgan, superintendent of the Colfax School District, via email. “Many times the small amount available is difficult to compete for.”
    According the Washington State voter’s guide, there are an estimated 3,489 buildings that may be eligible for grants.
    The Colfax School District supports the concept behind Referendum 52, though the measure wouldn’t directly benefit the district for a couple of years. To be eligible for the grant, each school district must perform an energy audit, which costs an estimated $20,000.
    “We are having a difficult time justifying the $20,000 audit to make us eligible for the grant,” Morgan said.
    One of the Colfax elementary schools will need remodeling in the next few years, but according to Morgan, most of the updates will be code requirements for safety compliance –though the district is open to energy efficiency updates in the future.
    Referendum 52 won’t directly benefit the Pullman School District either.
    According to Pullman school board member Dean Kinzer, the district has paid off enough bonds to qualify for matching funds from the state.
    “The Pullman School District is slowly getting into a position to pass a bond to update our facilities,” Kinzer said.
    All three Pullman elementary schools and the middle school were recently updated. An energy grant awarded to the school district allowed for lighting and electric updates, as well as the replacement of four of the seven boilers at Pullman High School.
    “The buildings are in good enough shape,” Kinzer said, “We won’t be out of compliance.”
    Referendum 52 would also extend the current sales tax on bottled water to help generate revenue to pay back a portion of the bonds. The tax is currently set to expire June 30, 2013.
    “I think the tax on bottled water is totally fine,” Graves said. “It might encourage people to use a less consumable resource.”
    Also on the ballot is Initiative 1107, which would repeal the sales tax on bottled water.
     According to Healthy Schools Now, an organization that supports Referendum 52, if both the Referendum and the Initiative are passed, the Legislature would uphold voter decision and look into a different source of funding.

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Contacts:

Julia Graves
(206) 437.6644
Junior WSU English major

Dean Kinzer
(509) 334.2805
kinzerdd@wildblue.net
Pullman School Board Member

Michael Morgan
(509) 397.3042
MichaelM@csd300.com
Colfax School District Superintendent

Outline

Lede: The State is asking voters to approve Referendum 52 this November to help pay for energy efficiency projects for schools.

Information about Referendum 52:
    School bonds for energy efficient projects
    Number of buildings
    Who’s eligible

Local Angle:
    Colfax School District
o    Support Referendum 52
o    Doesn’t benefit from it
o    Other priorities (elementary updates)
    Pullman School district
o    No official position
o    No benefit
o    Pullman School district raises own funds

Referendum 52 sales tax portion