Othello School District Approves $51 Million Bond Package for February Election

Residents in Othello will vote on a $51 million bond package in February after it was passed by the city's school board earlier this week.

The measure would provide money to replace an aging high school building as well as build a new high school gym and expand a middle school to free up space at elementary schools.

"We are facing a capacity crisis at Othello High School. The 600 wing is functionally inadequate. Replacing it with modern classrooms will allow us to improve our program quality significantly, and the new gymnasium will give us greater ability to bring our students and community together for important events,” said Superintendent Pete Perez.

The $1.14 tax impact of the proposed bond would bring the total tax rate for Othello Schools to $4.31 per $1,000 in assessed value for 2023 through 2027.

Othello voters rejected the district's last major bond package of more than $61 million in 2018.  The new bond package will be included in the February 8, 2022 election.

State law requires bonds to get 60 percent approval in elections to pass.