KPLU Local News
(2010-02-02)
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Tacoma's Lincoln High School. A capital levy proposal on the Feb. 9, 201 ballot would include upgrades for the school's performing arts center, among other improvements. Two junior high schools and Washington-Hoyt Elementary will get major renovations under the plan.
AP photo.
One of them is Bill Baarsma. He was a student at Lowell Elementary school in 1949 when a major earthquake hit the Puget Sound area.
"The top floor of that school was condemned. Bricks fell, and one of my classmates was killed that day. I still remember that, like it was yesterday."
Baarsma grew up to become the city's mayor. Now retired, he's says it's that childhood memory that's inspired him to take a lead role in the campaign for Propositions 1 & 2. The capital levy will pay for seismic upgrades, new technology and the rebuilding of three aging schools. The operations levy accounts for just under a quarter of Tacoma schools' budget. After last spring's defeat, the district cut the school construction request in half, from 300 to 140 million dollars. Baarsma says he thinks voters will pass it.
"We've gotten down to the very basic elements that we need to continue our operations and provide for our students and our teachers."
The levies would replace existing taxes that are expiring. Levy opponents claim Tacoma's taxes are already too high. They say voters should reject the scaled-back plan. It's tough to predict an outcome. The city is home to zip codes with some of the highest foreclosure rates in the state. Gary Davis, KPLU News.
For More information:
Pierce County Elections website. The site has links to the voter's pamphlet with statements for and against Tacoma Propositions 1 & 2.
Tacoma School District Levy Overview
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