Yelm school bond measure still coming up short in latest vote count

As far as school bond campaigns go, Yelm’s is turning into something of a nail-biter.

Yelm Community Schools’ $76 million construction bond measure on Tuesday’s ballot had 59 percent approval as of the latest vote count released Friday afternoon. Bonds require 60 percent approval to pass.

The district’s voters — most who live in Thurston County, but with some in Pierce County — rejected smaller bond measures for building projects in 2015 and 2016. The district’s last bond passed in 2003.

This time, the money would go to rebuild Yelm Middle School and Southworth Elementary School and add on to Prairie Elementary School to alleviate crowding. The district also would make security upgrades at other schools.

As of Friday, the measure had 61 percent approval from the district voters in Thurston County but only 48 percent approval in Pierce County.

Elsewhere in Tuesday’s election, Olympia’s Home Fund tax measure was passing easily with 63 percent approval as of Friday.

The permanent sales and use tax increase of 0.1 percent is expected to generate about $2.3 million a year that would go into a dedicated fund for affordable housing, shelters and support services.

The Olympia School District replacement levy that would generate $35.4 million over four years for technology and safety improvements had 69 percent approval.

The next ballot count is scheduled for late next week. Results will be certified Feb. 23.

This story was originally published February 14, 2018 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Yelm school bond measure still coming up short in latest vote count."