In the Bethel School District, a school built for 400 students has more than 700 kids on campus, according to school board President John Manning.
The district asked voters to say yes to a bond measure in November that would have helped ease overcrowding by building new schools as well as remodeling and expanding some existing ones. But the $443 million bond measure that school leaders were hoping for did not pass.
"We try again. We have to keep trying," said Manning.
The problem is not unique. A number of districts found themselves narrowly losing bond measures this past election.
Representatives from districts across Pierce County gathered to discuss the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass bond measures in Washington state, a change adopted during World War II.
"During World War II, we had an influx of workers. They were afraid that they would pass taxes that when the war ended, they would go back home where they came from and the local folks would end up with that debt. So they ended up passing this supermajority, and it has been with us ever since then," said Manning.
State Senator Hans Zeiger, R-Puyallup, says there are good reasons why we have a 60 percent threshold.
"We are talking about bonding which is a long-term financial commitment for the taxpayers," said Zeiger. "People are feeling really burdened with their current property tax payments."
Representative Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, thinks it ought to be a simple majority.
"It makes no sense to me to have a 60 percent majority anymore," said Fey.
Manning agreed, saying, "I think 50 percent is fair. It shows you that the people want it."
Bethel School District says in November, they ended with 59.22 percent and lost.
In order to change the 60 percent supermajority, the state's constitution would have to be amended. It would require a two-thirds vote in both the state senate and house of representatives. If that did happen, it would then be up to voters to decide in a general election.