School bond continues to widen its ‘yes’ lead

Renton School District’s $150-million construction bond is gaining “yes” votes by the day. The measure on the May 20 special election ballot was at 61.62 percent approval Wednesday night, surpassing the required 60-percent supermajority.

Renton School District’s $150-million construction bond is gaining “yes” votes by the day. The measure on the May 20 special election ballot was at 61.62 percent approval Wednesday night, surpassing the required 60-percent supermajority.

“Every day the count has come in just a little bit higher than the previous day,” said Randy Matheson, school district spokesperson.

Things are looking good that the district will come out on top after the June 4 certification.

“We’re excited,” he added. “We’re adamant that it’s going to pass. We have to wait for the final count June 4, but there’s very few left to count.”

Nearly 10,000 people have voted in favor of the bond. Those people include 3,000 more votes and 71 percent more “yes” votes than during the district’s first election attempt on March 11. The bond then failed by just 78 votes. Two levies passed during that election.

Matheson tagged the bond’s likely impending success on the district’s promises that the bond will not raise tax rates and that the projects will be finished on time and on budget.