Building for growth

Voters in the Washington Public Schools district will go to the polls Tuesday to decide a $24.5 million bond issue.

Multiple projects totaling 61,719 square feet are at stake, including 13 new classrooms and security features at the entry for the elementary school.

A proposed media center and seven classrooms will also serve as a storm shelter with a capacity of 700 students. The structure will also serve as a community storm shelter when school isn’t in session.

Also planned is a new multi-purpose building for the elementary school, a new Fine Arts Building, improvements to the football field and an addition to the Washington Event Center.

The bonds  will be repaid in 17 years.

The measure must receive at least 60 percent of the vote to pass.

Officials say the district it out of room now with more than 800 new homes planned inside the district.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.