Voters approve Moses Lake bonds

Results certified Feb. 21

MOSES LAKE — Preliminary election results Tuesday night showed 64 percent of Moses Lake voters approved a school district bonds sale proposal.

Results are certified Feb. 21. Additional results are expected today.

Early results show 4,366 voters said yes to the proposed bonds sale of $33.8 million, while 2,453 said no, announ-ced Special Assistant to the Superintendent P.J. De Benedetti.

"I just think it's awesome," De Benedetti said. "I think it shows you that Moses Lake is looking forward to growth, looking forward to taking care of our kids."

Superintendent Steve Chestnut said bonds are challenging to get approved the first time they are brought to voters.

"I'm still in shock," Chestnut said Thursday at the district office.

Individuals involved with planning or promoting the bonds proposal met at the office Thursday to hear results.

Chestnut thanked Columbia Basin Herald Publisher Harlan Beagley for his work supporting the bonds proposal.

"He did a great job, the paper did a superb job, the committee did a great job," he said. "We had a real coordinated plan and it worked well."

Approximately $47.8 million in improvements is included in the $33.8 million bonds proposal. Two new elementary schools are included in the list of projects, as well as expansion of special education space, an additional gym at Chief Moses Middle School, safety upgrades, technology upgrades at all schools, a completion of the Lions Field project, and new facilities for the district's transportation, maintenance and warehouse departments.

"I believe that the high percentage of this bond passing underscores the commitment our community's made to our youth, and it's really an honor to be part of a forward-thinking community," Beagley said.

Co-Chair of Citizens for Progress in Education Mike Bolander thanked everyone on the committee for their hard work and the voters for seeing a healthy economic future in light of the community's growth.

"This is a good decision that will benefit kids for years to come," Bolander said.

For Transportation Manager John Eschenbacher, the announcement included news the district is closer to getting a new transportation facility.

"(I'm) very pleased, very happy with the support of the people and the fact that they recognized the district has needs and stepped up and said, 'We'll make that happen,'" Eschenbacher said. "I think, just as nice as it is to have a transportation thing, it's equally nice to know we're going to have two new schools out there, get our kids into classrooms and out of portables."