Items related to the middle school bond referendum project were approved by the Washington Community School Board at a special meeting Thursday night.

The board approved the general obligation bond election petition language that states their intention to issue bonds not exceeding $25 million. Superintendent Willie Stone explained to the board why the petition gives a somewhat larger dollar amount than the original estimation of $24 million to move the 6th-8th grades from the current middle school to the high school, “In talking with our bond lawyers, they said, ‘You’ll want to put 25 so if you can get more than 24 and still be at the 2.70 and it won’t raise any taxes you want to try to get that to get as much as you can with that 2.70.’ So that gives us that leeway so if in two years that assessment changes we’ll still have the 2.70 bond. It’ll still be no tax raise, but it’ll be able to give us more money.”

The anticipated election date for the referendum is September 14th. The board also approved proposals from SVPA Architects and general contractor Carl A. Nelson for a mechanical heating, ventilating, and air conditioning replacement at the 1960s section of the high school. The total estimated cost of this work is $4.5 million and the district plans to use $3.1 million of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds they have for the project. The design phase will begin this July and construction is expected during the summer of 2022. Stone mentioned that this project will be done regardless of whether the bond referendum passes.