Everett board rescinds April bond placement and postpones proposition to a date "to be determined"

The Everett Public Schools Board voted to amend and approve Resolution 1228 to rescind portions of an earlier bond resolution and postpone placing a bond proposition on the ballot to a future election date to be determined by the board.

Mike Gunn, who provided staff background on the item, told directors the Snohomish County Auditor had requested formal written notice that the district was rescinding the April ballot measure. "The primary purpose of this resolution is to rescind the April 20th ballot measure that you had approved a while ago," Gunn said, adding the draft resolution had language postponing the proposition to the August primary but that the board could choose a different option.

Directors discussed three alternatives: postpone the proposition to the August primary, move it to the November general election, or rescind it without setting a new date. Several directors cautioned that turnout, voter familiarity and households' economic strain during the pandemic could affect results; one director recommended approving the rescission without specifying a new election date and returning later with data on turnout and timing. Board members debated whether higher turnout in November or a smaller, more engaged turnout in August would better serve the bond effort.

After discussion, a motion to amend the resolution was approved that removed the specific August date and replaced it with language postponing placement of the proposition "to a future date to be determined by the board." The board then voted to approve the amended resolution by voice vote.

The approved action formally rescinds the district's prior placement of the proposition on the April special election and leaves the decision about an alternative election date to the board at a later time. The resolution, as amended, preserves the district's option to place the proposition on a future ballot while complying with the county auditor's request for written rescission.

The board took no further action at the meeting to set a new date; staff and directors said they would return with data and discussion about timing when more information is available.