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Update: As of Feb. 18, 2022, the election was certified and the school facilities bond passed at 60.6 percent. Thank you, voters!

Click here to read a bond election update and 2022-2023 budget plan input opportunity message from Superintendent Greg Baker sent to staff, families and community.

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Thanks to past community support, ����Ӱ�� Public Schools has many outstanding school facilities, including our newest rebuilds of Alderwood and Parkview elementary schools that opened in September 2021 and of Sehome High School that opened in February 2019.

The $122 million 2022 bond is the next step in our long-range plans to improve and rebuild schools and facilities for our students, staff and community. We believe our community deserves safe, functional and efficient learning environments. We balance that belief by being good stewards of our public assets and developing strategic plans to improve our schools today and into the future based on the highest needs.

Why is the bond needed?

In fall 2021, ����Ӱ�� Public Schools convened a Facilities Planning Task Force representing staff, students, parents and community members from across our school district. The task force met regularly throughout the fall to continue the important work of identifying buildings with the highest need for replacement, as well as reviewing projected growth in our district boundaries. Task force meeting minutes, presentations and data, as
well as full details of the recommendation are posted on the Facilities Planning Task Force webpage.

����Ӱ�� Public Schools will have a bond on the upcoming special election on Feb. 8, 2022 to address five areas of investment.

1. Community Transitions (CT):  Buy property, design and build a new facility for Community Transitions (CT) and maximize flexibility/opportunity for possible use by other district programs. CT is a program for students receiving Special Education services through the age of 21.
   Watch video:
   

2. New Elementary School: Build a 15th elementary school on the district-owned King Mountain property on the northside of town where growth is occurring. This space would be a significant step in developing a higher sustainability standard for our schools and initially used as a temporary swing space for students as other schools are rebuilt. (See next area of investment.)

3. Carl Cozier, Columbia and Roosevelt Redesigns: Begin the design for the replacement of these three current elementary schools and set the stage for a future bond to fund their construction.
Watch video:

4. Current Projects: Support completion of previously-approved bond projects in response to refinements and increased construction costs including:

• Sunnyland Elementary School
• Gordon Carter environmental education site
• District Office
• ����Ӱ�� and Squalicum High fields

5. Safety, Sustainability and Accessibility: Invest in improvements at numerous schools that include:

• Adding inclusive playgrounds and play fields
• Expanding Kulshan Middle School by four additional classrooms and replacing existing grass field with turf
• Improving Cordata Elementary School traffic and parking
• Increasing resource efficiency and minimize the effects of energy and water consumption and dependence on fossil fuels
• Implementing more visible and meaningful sustainability practices in schools to increase educational stewardship

Watch video:

What is the impact?

If voters approve this bond, the rate per $1,000 assessed value will go from $3.47 in 2022 to $3.72 in 2023 and 2024. This means the combined tax rate for schools (levies and bonds) will increase by an estimated $16.90 per month in 2023 (compared with 2022) for a median homeowner* in ����Ӱ��.

* We are using an estimated median assessed home value of $550,000 for 2022 and $566,500 for 2023. Your home’s assessed value is determined by the county.

Past/Current Bond and Levy Rate

• 2018 Actual – $4.54
• 2019 Actual – $3.57
• 2020 – $3.61
• 2021 – $3.48

Projected Bond and Levy Rate (approx.) **

• 2022 – $3.47
• 2023 – $3.72
• 2024 – $3.72

** Estimated total school district combined bond and levy rate per $1000 assessed value. The rates are estimates based upon preliminary data from the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office, official data will be available in January 2022.

Watch bond overview and financial impact video:

How can I vote?

Voters within ����Ӱ�� Public Schools’ attendance area will receive a ballot in the mail in January 2022 to vote on this school bond. Ballots must be mailed and postmarked or returned to the drop-box at the Whatcom County Courthouse South Parking lot, 201 Grand Avenue by 8 p.m. Feb. 8, 2022.