The Seattle-King County Association of Realtors has endorsed the Highline School District’s March 14 Capital Facilities Improvement bond ballot measure.

The association is backing its endorsement with a contribution to Highline Citizens for Schools, a volunteer group that is managing the “yes” campaign on the bond.

In addition, the association pledged to promote “yes” votes by its members in the Highline district, and to encourage local Realtors to help with “get out the vote” efforts for the March 14 election.

Although the Realtors endorsed levy and bond measures in five school districts that held elections last month, Highline is the only district to receive financial support for its campaign, according to D’Ann Jackson, president of the 8,000-member association.

Voters in the Highline School District are being asked to approve a $148 million bond measure with five components.

More than 80 percent of the funds would be used for capital construction, with the balance earmarked for renovations at Camp Waskowitz (an environmental camp near North Bend), security and safety improvements for secondary schools, district-wide technology updates and capital improvement/emergency funds.

If the bond is approved, five new schools will be built -- four paid for by the bond and the fifth with state matching funds.

Passing the bond would result in an estimated tax rate for 2007-2010 of $1.83 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, with the rate dropping to $1.74 in the subsequent three years. For a house valued at $300,000, that amounts to an annual tax increase of $30.

Jackson said that in giving its support, the Realtor group recognized special challenges the Highline district faces in its ongoing efforts to replace and renovate aging school buildings.

Jackson noted several schools were built in the 1950s using inexpensive materials and now require extensive repairs or remodeling to meet minimum safety standards. “Students deserve safe and secure buildings, along with facilities that provide better access to technology and up to date learning tools. This bond will help provide that,” she said.

Low voter turnout in past elections and voters’ failure to pass any bond issues between 1986 and 2001 were two of the factors that prompted special consideration, Jackson added.

Significant progress on WASL scores over the past five years and notable increases in funding for teaching and teaching support in the Highline district also helped secure association endorsement, she said.

“We share the district’s commitment to provide an excellent learning environment and to address serious health and safety concerns posed by obsolete facilities,” Jackson declared.

“The board and administrators have shown impressive stewardship of resources and, together with citizens groups, have prepared a well-documented plan to address urgent health, safety and security concerns.”

Realtor Suki Bazan, owner of The Bazan Group Inc. and a longtime supporter of Highline schools, said, “Good schools tend to be the first thing homebuyers ask us about.”

Bazan, who led the effort to obtain the backing and funding from her fellow Realtors, noted that “good schools contribute to desirable neighborhoods and appreciating property values.”

Citing data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, she said the median price of homes that sold during 2005 in the Highline School District increased more than 24 percent when compared to homes that sold during 2003.

Above-average gains in school performance and appreciation are consistent with correlations found in the national research, she said.

“We urge residents to join Realtors in approving this bond measure to provide safe, modern facilities for the Highline School District’s 17,500 students,” Jackson said.