The Bellingham Public Schools’ bond measure has squeaked out a 60.6% approval, while the Birch Bay Library bond has failed for a second time with just 56.94% in the special election as of Wednesday evening’s results. Both measures required 60% voter approval.
Whatcom County will officially certify votes on Feb. 18 and estimates that just 50 out of more than 40,000 votes remain to be counted.
The 20-year, $122 million bond for Bellingham schools will fund new facilities for Community Transitions, finance new elementary schools, finish existing bond projects and increase safety, sustainability and accessibility across the district.
Many families look forward to the redesigns of Roosevelt, Carl Cozier and Columbia Elementary Schools, the three oldest buildings in the district.
“There’s an opportunity for schools and kids to benefit from a more flexible and innovative learning space,” said Roosevelt Elementary School parent Lynette Bennett.
Bennett is also the co-president of the PTA and a member of the 2021 Facilities Planning Task Force, which helped draft the bond proposal. She said she was impressed by the facilities at the recently built elementary schools and wants all students to have the same opportunities for education.
“I feel like this is a community that is supportive of education, supportive of kids and supportive of equity,” Bennett said.
More than 90% of Birch Bay voters from the last general election turned out and turned down the $4.5 million library bond. The Whatcom County Library System hoped to establish a permanent branch, but the effort will have to wait.
“We’ll need to connect again with the community and learn what’s really important to them,” executive director Christine Perkins said.
Perkins thanked the volunteers and supporters for the effort to get the bond passed for the new library. Despite that work, Birch Bay residents will have to continue to make do with the weekly Bookmobile.
More than 40,000 ballots were counted as of Feb. 9, accounting for 37.45% of registered Whatcom voters. Both bonds achieved the required threshold of 40% voter turnout from the last general election in relevant precincts.
Ferndale School District also passed the two-year operations levy with 59.79% approval in the special election.
