A School Construction Bond is a funding measure that allows the district to address facility needs, including new construction, renovations, and safety improvements. The funds can only be used for capital projects, not daily operating expenses.  

An Education Levy is a local funding measure that provides resources for school programs and services that are not fully covered by state funding. It must be renewed by voters every four years. Most districts in Washington state seek an education levy every 2-4 years. 

The bond is needed to address aging facilities and limited classroom capacity. The levy ensures continued funding for educational programs and operations, staffing, and student services. The levy makes up about 15% of our budget. 

With a bond, the district receives the funding up front, which allows us to fund major construction projects at today’s construction prices, reducing the impact of price escalation. Then we pay off the bond over a 20-year period. With a levy, the district collects funding every year for a shorter period, and not enough is collected upfront to fund major construction.  

• Combined proposals reestablish a stable tax rate with a $0.30 per $1,000 Assessed Value (AV) increase  
• This includes $0.21 for Proposition 2, Education Levy, and $0.09 for Proposition 1, the School Construction Bond
• The 2026 Education Levy and School Construction Bond combined estimated tax rate is lower than the estimated tax rate for the 2022 Education Levy and the Capital/Technology Levy of $4.08 per $1,000 AV
• The 2026 combined estimated tax rate is lower than the 10-year historical average and lower than the estimated rate from the voter-approved 2022 levies, which was $4.08

Everett Public Schools maintains a long-range facilities plan that identifies and prioritizes building maintenance and improvement projects across the district. This plan is based on regular building condition assessments, safety inspections, and input from school staff and maintenance professionals.

The list includes projects such as:

• Roof replacements and repairs

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades

• Plumbing, electrical, and safety system improvements

• Flooring, paint, and building exterior maintenance
• Accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades

Projects are prioritized based on safety, urgency, impact on learning, and cost efficiency. The district updates this plan regularly to ensure resources are used effectively and that facilities remain safe, functional, and conducive to learning.

If the bond does not pass, Everett Public Schools will not be able to move forward with the construction of a new elementary school, modernization of Cascade High School, permanent classroom additions, replace Lowell Elementary, and other major facility improvements designed to meet growing enrollment needs. Without these funds, the district will continue to rely on portable classrooms to manage overcrowding, and critical infrastructure projects will need to be delayed, such as replacing aged flooring, roofing, and heating & ventilation (HVAC) systems.

Over time, the cost of maintaining and repairing aging facilities will increase, and schools may face more frequent issues with heating, roofing, and other building systems. This would also limit the district’s ability to update learning spaces to meet current instructional and safety standards. While the district will continue to prioritize student safety and learning, the lack of bond funding would make it difficult to maintain the same level of quality, innovation, and long-term planning our community expects.

If the levy does not pass, the district will not have the funding needed to continue important student programs, classroom support, and safety and technology services. These costs are not covered by the state, so the district would need to make reductions that could include fewer staff, fewer student opportunities, and cuts to school-based support.

Everett Public Schools uses a comprehensive process to determine how to best meet facility needs across the district. Decisions about additions or portables are based on several factors, including:

• Current and projected enrollment trends: District planners analyze student enrollment data, birth rates, and residential development to project future growth at each school.

• Building capacity and space utilization: Schools are evaluated to determine how well existing classrooms and common areas can support current and future student populations.

• Site feasibility: Some school sites have the space and infrastructure to accommodate permanent additions, while others can only support temporary portables due to property size, topography, or access limitations.

• Cost effectiveness and timing: Permanent additions are prioritized where long-term growth is expected, while portables provide flexibility in areas where enrollment fluctuations may change over time.

• Educational impact: The goal is to ensure all students have safe, effective learning environments that support the district’s instructional goals.

This process is reviewed regularly as enrollment patterns evolve and as the district continues to plan for both short-term and long-term facility needs.