Voters say no to school bond proposal | Election update

According to updated election results as of Wednesday, April 18, 59.67 percent of Islanders rejected the Mercer Island School District bond measure, while 40.33 percent voted yes.

According to updated election results as of Wednesday, April 18, 59.67 percent of Islanders rejected the Mercer Island School District bond measure, while 40.33 percent voted yes.

The bond, which would have been for $196 million to rebuilt three elementary schools, the middle school, along with a variety of other projects had been the source of much discussion of the Island prior to the election. Approximately 54 percent of registered voters on the Island took part in the special election with 9,208 out of 16,953 voting.

The election results will not be official until it is certified on April 27.

Similar measures in the Renton and Issaquah school districts were passing as of April 18.

A statement from the District following the vote said: “We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the citizens of Mercer Island for participating in the democratic process and exercising their right to vote on Bond Resolution No. 592 to modernize and expand facilities. While we are very disappointed with the outcome, we are grateful for the dedication of the many volunteers who worked long and hard to help us bring this historic bond vote   to the community. At this point, we plan to take some time to pause, reflect and dig deeply into the issues so that we can better understand why the majority of citizens has voted no. Thank you again.”

Superintendent Gary Plano said the district would spend some time reviewing and look forward to the next step.

“While we will be taking some time to digest the message we have received today, we are keenly aware that our schools are overcrowded and more students are coming,” said the superintendent.