School bond, superintendent on Monroe’s agenda

MONROE — Tuesday is shaping up to be busy for the school board here as it works to pass an April bond measure and hire a new superintendent by the end of spring.

Some board members plan to urge the Monroe City Council to support a $110.9 million bond measure on April’s ballot, while others will take input from people in the community about what they want in a new superintendent.

The Monroe City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

The community meeting about hiring a new superintendent is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the district office, 200 East Fremont St.

The City Council is considering a resolution to support the bond measure. It will be on the ballot April 28. If approved, the district would levy property taxes to pay off the bonds, which would mature within 20 years.

The bonds would provide money for improvements to school buildings, ball fields, technology, safety measures and other projects.

The tax rate is expected remain the same because existing district bonds will be paid off in 2016, school board member Nancy Truitt Pierce said. “This is the list of things we can do without raising taxes” beyond what property owners pay now, Truitt Pierce said. “It’s time for Monroe to do this.”

Voters have passed three of 20 school bond measures since 1990, she said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Ken Hoover is leaving his $211,692-a-year position June 30.

Besides Tuesday’s session, the board has scheduled community meetings to gather public input on the superintendent search on Feb. 4. One is set for 2 p.m. at the East County Senior Center and the other is at 6:30 p.m. at the Galaxy Theater.

People also can take a three-minute survey about the superintendent hiring online at surveymonkey.com/s/monroesupt.

The board has hired Northwest Leadership Associates to help with the search. After the community meetings, the consultants will find candidates. The school board plans to review resumes and choose candidates to interview Feb. 28. The finalists will be introduced at community meetings in early March before the board makes a decision.

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.

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