Blaine School District has an important local funding measure on the General Election ballot this November 5, 2024. The proposed $70M Capital Bond would fund updates to school facilities that would benefit all students and the community. Through careful planning and strategic timing, this proposal would maintain the current tax rate, while providing capacity for major updates across the district. The project proposals below were recommended by the district's 2023 Facility Task Force as detailed on our Capital Projects webpage.
Proposed Bond Projects:
Pipeline Fields Updates: Addition of turf, batting cages, running water, and restrooms, which would mean less maintenance for facilities staff, provide equitable facilities for student athletes, and benefit to the greater community.
Point Roberts Primary Campus Improvements: Playground improvements and the addition of lighting for safety, security, and supervision.
Blaine Elementary Outdoor Covered Area: The addition of a covered area to provide shade and rain shelter for P.E., recess, athletics, and community groups
Blaine Middle School: Replacement of aging and outdated middle school instructional spaces (1956 construction) to improve safety, security and supervision, as well as to improve 21st century learning opportunities in classrooms.
Performing Arts Center (PAC): The PAC is a school resource used regularly for school programs as well as community events. There have been no updates to this facility in the past 20 years. The proposed updates would improve the lighting and sound equipment.
Birch Bay Property Design Work: Engagement of surveyors and architects to develop preliminary designs for use of property in Birch Bay, initially for athletic fields, as well as for a future school facility. The district has the funds set aside already for the purchase of land and is currently evaluating location/land options.
Electrical/Mechanical System Updates: Replacement of electrical and mechanical systems in buildings across the district that were rated in poor condition in a 2023 state assessment, including air quality/condition improvements.
Construction costs can vary due to many factors. Our goal is to address all outlined needs with the $70M bond, and the construction estimate includes a 20% buffer for labor and materials escalation. In the event that unforeseen construction costs arise beyond that buffer, projects will be prioritized based on highest need.
Just as the state does not provide enough money to fully fund the programs and services supported by the local levy, the same is true for school facilities. School districts must ask their community to consider a bond to finance school facilities and construction needs. While voters did approve our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy in February, the capital bond measure fell short of the 60% supermajority approval rating needed to pass.
Bonds are long-term funding options, similar to a mortgage, that provide money for large capital projects like remodeling schools or building new ones. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 10-25 years. The new bonds would raise $70,000,000. The total debt service, with principal and interest over 20 years, is projected to be $107,377,000. The actual debt service amount will depend upon actual interest rates, terms, and issue dates.
If the bond passes, our tax rate for capital projects is projected to stay flat at $0.76 per thousand*, while making major updates across the district. That’s because the proposed bond is timed to replace an expiring capital levy and a step-down in existing bond repayments. Blaine has one of the lowest school tax rates in the area. If the bond passes, Blaine's total local school tax rate is projected to be $1.62* in 2025 (same as the 2024 rate). In 2024, the average total local school tax rate of all Whatcom and Skagit county districts was $2.39.
Ballots, as well as an informational brochure, will arrive in the mail around October 16. Please remember to vote by November 5.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Christopher Granger
Superintendent, Blaine School District
cgranger@blainesd.org
NOTE: Tax exemptions may be available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those living with a fixed income. Contact the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office for more information.
* Tax rates are per $1,000 assessed property value. Tax rate projection calculations based on 2024 property valuation inflated annually by 2%. All future rates and amounts are estimates.