The $148 million Highline school bond was passing Tuesday night with a 63.61 percent yes vote following a count of all poll votes and early absentee ballots.

The bond garnered approval from 9777 voters with 5593 (36.39 percent) voting to reject the measure.

Updated results are available at http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/2006mar/resPage1.htm)

In a press release, district spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers noted the last of new schools funded by a 2002 bond are being built.

"The replacement of aging facilities with new schools has improved the learning environment for hundreds of students," Rogers added. "All schools constructed to date under that bond have opened on time and within budget."

If the latest bond is passed, parents could track their child's grades, homework assignments and attendance over the Internet.

The bond needs a 60 percent supermajority yes vote to pass.

An enhanced student data system is part of $9 million in technology upgrades in the proposed bond.

The bond would also fund $2 million for additional security surveillance cameras, fencing and lighting at the district's middle and high schools.

By far the largest chunk -- $124 million -- would finance the rebuilding of the four elementary schools.

Shorewood in Burien and Midway in Des Moines would reopen in 2008. Construction of Parkside and Marvista in Normandy Park would be finished in September 2009.

McMicken Heights in SeaTac would be rebuilt later using state matching funds.

In addition, the bond would pay for $3.3 million in renovations to Camp Waskowitz and $9.5 million for roofing and emergency repairs.

A $189.5 million bond was submitted to voters three times in 18 months before it was approved in March 2002.

If the bond passes, district officials estimate taxpayers will pay an additional 10 cents on each $1,000 of assessed home value per year for four years. For a home valued at $300,000, the increase would be $30 per year.

The tax rate on school bonds would be $1.83 per $1,000 of assessed value each year for four years before going back down to about $1.74.

Homeowners over age 61 with an income under $35,000 and some disabled persons qualify for an exemption from the tax.

According to Rogers, parents in Seattle appreciate having an Internet student information system that has allowed them to monitor their child’s academic progress.

The Seattle district began the program this year.

“The reason it is important is because it involves parents more with their student’s achievement,” Rogers noted. “It helps them stay informed about their child’s progress, and not just at report card time.”

If the bond passes, the Highline district also plans to replace phone systems and add voice mail at nine older schools.

With telephones in all classrooms, if a medical or other emergency happens in the classroom help could arrive immediately, she noted.

Teachers could also be more accessible to parents through voice mail, according to Rogers

“The technology piece (of the bond) really helps with student achievement,” Rogers said. “It will also allow us to use new software that can individualize educational programs.”

Tony Zeman, the district’s security director, said additional surveillance cameras inside and outside secondary schools will let security officers monitor and record activity from a school office or portable laptop computer.

While most district middle and high schools have fences in back, wide-open front entrances allow unlimited campus access to non-students, he said.

“The schools were not designed for security” Zeman observed.

With partial fencing, if there is a security problem, two or three staff members could control access to the campus.

Additional lighting would also allow patrolling district security officers or police to easily spot people loitering on campus after hours, Zeman said.

“Our task is to keep the schools safe,” Zeman concluded.