Learn more about the proposed 2026 Capital Bond, including the projects it would fund, how priorities were identified, the impact on students and the community, and what voters need to know about cost, funding, and next steps.

Q. What improvements are included in the proposed bond?
A. The proposed bond would invest in projects that improve student learning, safety, and the long-term reliability of district facilities, including:

• Replacing aging schools
• Student safety and security improvements
• Replacing portable classrooms with permanent classrooms
• Expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) learning spaces
• Replacing critical building systems such as HVAC, roofs, plumbing, and windows
• Technology and data security infrastructure improvements
• Improvements to playgrounds, athletic fields, and accessibility

Explore proposed projects and improvements by school on the map here.

Q. What percentage of the vote is required for the bond to pass? 
A. Capital Bonds require a supermajority, or 60% approval, to pass and require a minimum number of voters to submit ballots for validation. 

Q. How do new schools benefit students?
A. . New schools provide safe learning environments that support today's educational programs with the flexibility for different learning styles. New buildings improve accessibility, strengthen safety and security, and prepare students with real-world skills.

Q. How do new schools and updated athletic facilities benefit the community?
A. School facilities serve the entire community. Beyond educating students, schools host youth sports, community meetings, performances, recreation programs, emergency response activities, and other public events. Modern school facilities also help attract families, support local employers, strengthen neighborhoods, and protect property values.

Q. Why do strong public schools matter if I don’t have children in school?
A. Strong public schools help prepare tomorrow's workforce, support local employers, strengthen neighborhoods, attract families, protect property values, and provide gathering spaces for community activities. Quality schools contribute to the long-term economic vitality and quality of life of the entire community while keeping young people engaged.

Q. What happens if voters approve the bond?
A. If approved, projects would be completed over approximately six years. Construction would be phased to minimize disruption to students while allowing the district to leverage available state funding and carefully manage taxpayer dollars.

Q. What happens if the bond is not approved?
A. Without voter approved bond funding, the district would be unable to complete many of the planned replacement, modernization, and infrastructure projects. Aging facilities and building systems would continue to deteriorate, increasing maintenance costs and the risk of major system failures that could disrupt learning.

Q. Will students continue learning during construction?
A. Yes. The district carefully plans construction to minimize disruptions to teaching and learning. Students, staff, families, and neighbors will receive regular communication throughout each phase of construction.

Q. How were the projects in this bond selected?
A. The district's long-range facilities planning process identifies and prioritizes major school construction and modernization needs over time. Rather than addressing every need in a single bond measure, projects are phased across multiple bond measures to help manage costs and support a more stable tax impact over the long term.

The district’s volunteer Capital Bond Advisory Committee reviewed nearly $1 billion in facility needs. Over several months including visits to school sites, they prioritized the list to include the most immediate needs. Their proposed bond package ($400 million) focuses on the highest-priority projects while allowing additional needs to be addressed through future Capital Bond and Capital Levy measures.  

Q. How does this bond fit into the district's long-term facilities planning?
A. The district's long-term facilities planning phases major construction projects over multiple bond measures. Following recommendations from the 2020 Capital Bond Advisory Committee, the 2020 bond funded the first phase of replacing Mukilteo Elementary School, Explorer Middle School, and Serene Lake Elementary School. The 2026 bond proposal will continue that work by completing Mukilteo Elementary School and Explorer Middle School, advancing Serene Lake Elementary School’s replacement, and beginning the replacement of Olivia Park Elementary School.

Q. How old are the district schools?
A. More than half of the district schools are over 40 years old, including some originally built in the 1950s. While many have been maintained over time, some have aged beyond their useful life and require significant modernization or replacement to meet today's educational, safety, and operational needs.

As school buildings continue to age, the risk of costly repairs, unexpected system failures, and operational disruptions increases. Replacing aging schools is a long-term investment in safe, reliable learning environments.

Modern construction is more cost efficient to operate, reducing the tax dollars that are spent on maintaining buildings that are past their usable life.

Q. Why replace older schools instead of renovating them?

A. Many district schools were built decades ago and no longer provide the space, flexibility, safety features, or learning environments needed to support today's students. In some cases, replacing individual building systems would not address outdated building layouts, accessibility needs, or the infrastructure required for modern teaching and learning.

While replacing individual building systems can extend building life, it does not resolve outdated layouts, undersized classrooms, or other fundamental limitations. Some system infrastructure is contained within inaccessible areas such as beneath building foundations. Renovating these buildings often costs more than building new.  Replacement provides better long-term value while reducing ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

Q. Which schools are currently set for replacement?
A: In 2019, a Capital Bond Advisory Committee identified Explorer Middle School, Mukilteo Elementary School, and Serene Lake Elementary School as priorities for replacement. The 2020 bond funded the first phase of that work. The 2026 bond builds on that investment by completing the replacement of Mukilteo Elementary and Explorer Middle School, advancing the replacement of Serene Lake Elementary School, and beginning the replacement of Olivia Park Elementary School. This phased approach allows the district to address major facility needs over time while helping manage costs and maintain a more stable tax impact. Phasing also allows the district to continue to operate the school during construction, resulting in less disruption to students and the community.

Q. Why replace portable classrooms with permanent classrooms?
A. Many portable classrooms were intended as temporary solutions but have remained in service for decades. As they age, they become more expensive to maintain and can create challenges for safety, security, and accessibility. Permanent classrooms provide modern learning environments while restoring valuable outdoor play space for students.

Q: Why replace multiple school buildings with a single interconnected school?
A: Interconnected school buildings improve student safety and security by reducing the need to travel outdoors between classes, while providing more efficient, accessible, and durable learning spaces. Modern construction also lowers long-term maintenance and operating costs through more energy-efficient materials and building systems.

Q. Why are improvements to playgrounds and athletic facilities included in the bond?
 A. Safe, high-quality outdoor spaces are an extension of the learning environment. Upgrading aging playgrounds, athletic fields, tracks, and tennis courts help provide safe, durable, and accessible spaces that support physical education, outdoor learning, student wellness, athletics, and community use.

The proposed bond includes improvements at the following schools: Mariner high tennis courts; Goddard Stadium and Olympic View middle turf and tracks; Kamiak high track and gymnasium; Olympic View middle and Horizon elementary multi-purpose fields; and Columbia elementary, Fairmount elementary, Odessey elementary, and Picnic Point elementary playgrounds.

Q. How much would the proposed bond cost property owners?
A. If approved, the proposed bond is estimated to increase the local school property tax rate by approximately $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the owner of a home assessed at the district median value of approximately $659,200, the estimated cost is about $11 per month ($132 per year).

Q. How is the district working to manage taxpayer costs?
A. The district has worked to manage local school tax rates while continuing to invest in safe, modern learning environments. Phasing projects over multiple bond measures has helped maintain a relatively stable local school tax rate over time.

Q. Will the district receive additional funding from the state if this passes?
A. If voters approve the bond, the district could qualify for more than $30 million in State School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) “match” funding for eligible projects. Without passage of the local bond, the district is not eligible to receive these state funds. These funds do not result in an additional local school tax.

Q. If my property value increases, does the district collect more money? 
A. No, voters approve the total 2026 Capital Bond Amount, $400 million. The District cannot collect more than the approved amount even if property values increase. In fact, as property values increase or new homes & businesses are built, the tax rate may go down. 

Q. Where can I find information about property tax exemptions available for seniors and disabled citizens? 
A. If you are aged 61 years or older or are disabled, own your own home and have an income of $40,000 or less per year, you may qualify for an exception from voter-approved levies and bonds. For more information, go to Snohomish County Assessor’s website or call 425-388-3540.

Q. Why does the district need voter-approved bonds to build schools?
A. Washington State provides limited funding for school construction and modernization. School districts must rely primarily on voter-approved capital bonds to replace aging schools, modernize facilities, improve safety, and build permanent learning spaces. Eligible projects may also receive state school construction assistance, but local voter approval is generally required before those funds can be accessed.

Q. What can bond funds be used for?
A. Under Washington law, bond funds may only be used for long-term capital improvements, including school buildings, major renovations, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, and other permanent facility projects. They cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses.

Q. What can’t bond funds be used for?
A. Bond funds cannot be used for operating expenses such as teacher salaries, staff wages, student programs, classroom supplies, or routine operating costs.

Q. Didn't voters recently approve a funding measure?
A. Voters approved the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy in February 2026, which funds teachers, staff, and student programs like music and athletics. The February 2026 capital bond also received majority voter support, more than 57 percent, but Washington law requires school construction bonds to receive at least 60 percent voter approval.

Q. How does the district ensure bond funds are spent responsibly?
A. Bond proceeds may only be spent on voter-approved capital projects and are subject to state law, independent financial audits, School Board oversight, public reporting, and competitive public bidding requirements.