Early results for the April 23 special election indicate that Ridgefield School District’s school bond measures, Proposition 10, is close but failing to meet the required vote and Proposition 11 expected to fail. In order to pass, a bond requires 60% plus one vote majority. Results were shown at 8 P.M. and are not final.
Proposition 10 early results showed the bond failing close to its needed 60% plus one majority with 4459 votes in favor and 3,208 opposed, or 58.16%-41.84%.
Proposition 10, a $70 million bond, would fund the construction of a new 75,000-square-foot elementary school and an expansion at Ridgefield High School including 10 classrooms and a space for Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes. The proposition would additionally pay for roof repairs for Union Ridge and South Ridge elementaries and Ridgefield High School. Construction would conclude by fall 2025.
Proposition 11 was failing, far short of its required votes — 3,872 in favor, or 50.76% and 3,756 opposed, or 49.24%.
Proposition 11, proposed at $120 million, would fund a new 125,000-square-foot intermediate or middle school and a new wrestling room at Ridgefield High School. The bond would also pay for playground updates at the Union Ridge and South Ridge elementaries and resurfacing of Ridgefield High School’s track and field.
Even had Proposition 11 gathered the 60% plus 1 vote needed to pass, its passage was also contingent upon Proposition 10 passing, making its failure almost certain.
The current tax rate for the Ridgefield school district is $2.53 per $1,000 in assessed property value. Should Proposition 10 pass on its own, taxes would increase to $3.11 per $1,000 in assessed property value, an increase of $0.51. If both Proposition 10 and 11 pass, taxes would be raised to $3.89 per $1,000, a $1.30 increase.
According to the school district’s website, 1,337 new students have enrolled since the last permanent classroom space was constructed from its previous passing bond. The Ridgefield School District has not successfully passed a bond since 2017.
Results will be updated on Wednesday, April 24.
