Bond Q&A

Proposition 1 would make school improvements in teaching and learning environments that support student achievement and relieve student overcrowding at nearly all schools, including:

• Major improvements and expansion of both high schools: Bonney Lake and Sumner 

• New middle school in Tehaleh

• Improvements at 5 elementary schools: Crestwood, Daffodil Valley, Donald Eismann, Liberty Ridge and Tehaleh Heights

• Nearly all schools will be impacted by relieving student overcrowding and “right sizing” classrooms to maintain individualized teaching and learning for all students

In addition to relieving student overcrowding, Proposition 1 would address health, safety, and security improvements that keep the focus on teaching and learning in the classroom, including:  

• Upgrade learning technology at renovated schools

• Upgrade ADA to improve access for students, staff and visitors 

• Make basic improvements like repairs to leaky roofs and ceilings and update mechanical systems to keep classrooms free from distractions

• Add performing arts, music and athletic facilities, including lighted multi-use turf fields for year-round use by students and community

Proposition 1 significantly adds elementary, middle and high school classrooms to address the increases in student enrollment, which is up by 18% over the last decade. Proposition 1 would: 

• Make needed improvements like replacing aged and deteriorating roofs, interior and exterior improvements to prevent mold/weather damage

• Upgrade plumbing and mechanical systems to maintain clean air and safe water

• Make ADA upgrades for improved accessibility

• Create 8 new lighted turf fields for year-round playability for students and community

• Make various other health, safety and security upgrades

The District needs to add classrooms by expanding facilities, and replace aging and outdated school facilities to improve and increase educational opportunities, programs and spaces, and enhance safety and security.

Sumner-Bonney Lake is one of the fastest growing school districts in Pierce County, with more families moving here to join our community and our schools. We are currently overcrowded and need more classrooms. Nine out of 14 schools are currently over 100% capacity. Projected enrollment is expected to increase by 16% in the next decade, 2024-2033.

A delay in running a bond would further add to the costs in the long run. If we were to run the 2020 bond (that didn’t pass) today, there would be a 147% cost increase due to inflation and rising costs: 

Bond cost in 2020 = $175 million
Costs for the same bond today = $433 million

Bonds are for building: Bonds pay for capital facilities projects, including remodeling, construction of facilities and acquisition of land. Bonds require a supermajority of 60% to pass. The last bond voters approved was in 2016. The district went out for a bond in 2020 that did not receive the required number of votes to pass.

Levies are for learning: A levy bridges the gap between the state’s allotted funding for schools and what our schools need to maintain current funding levels for staff, programs and day-to-day operations. Voters most recently approved two replacement levies in February 2024:

• Educational Programs & Operations Levy (4-year)

• Instructional Technology Improvements & Security Upgrades Levy (6-year)

Levies have a shorter term than bonds, usually three to six years, and must be renewed by voters when they expire. The amount is spread across the district's property owners, assessing the levy on each in proportion to the size and value of their property. 

Every school in the district will benefit from the bond. See our projects list and map. Here are details about the eight projects receiving the bulk of expansion/upgrades/improvements: 

• Bonney Lake High School Expansion

• Sumner High School Master Plan 

• New middle school in Tehaleh

• Crestwood Elementary Improvements 

• Liberty Ridge Elementary Improvements

• Donald Eismann Elementary Improvements 

• Tehaleh Heights Elementary Improvements 

• Daffodil Valley Elementary Improvements 

In complying with the state’s Clean Buildings Standards, the bond will fund districtwide LED conversion, as well as targeted energy efficiency improvements.  The improvements will be customized to optimize performance of systems such as heating, cooling and ventilation in our schools.

Our community-led Capital Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC) recommended the bond package to our school board. The board accepted their recommendation and voted to place the bond on the November 2024 ballot.

For more than a year, the 31-member CFAC — made up of parents and community members with expertise in building, design, construction, as well as educators — studied the educational needs of the district’s rapidly-growing enrollment of K-12 students. 

As a recommending body, the CFAC proposed a bond package that addresses needs within the district:

• Responding to capacity needs K-12

• Reducing overcrowding at existing campuses

• Resolving significant traffic and queuing issues

• Expanding turf fields for year-round use

• Ensuring compliance with American with Disabilities Act and Clean Buildings Performance Standards throughout the District

Key discussion points and rationale for the recommended package:

• Unites the district, with investments touching all corners of the district

• Constructs facilities to meet current needs and allows flexibility for the future

• Aligns with district’s Future Ready goals

• Upholds and maintains high standards across the district and ensures quality

• Acknowledges that a great district requires supportive facilities for all stakeholders

• Provides the district with the opportunity to improve facilities in the proper sequence allowing room for flexibility

Project teams, led by the architect in coordination with District Capital Facilities staff, base project order and timeline on a variety of factors, such as the need for space and financing. While the planning phase for some projects might start at the same time, the actual construction and completion varies due to project scope or other unforeseen issues.

Some of our high-priority projects that include a major expansion and additional student capacity include: Bonney Lake High School, Sumner High School, new middle school in Tehaleh and Tehaleh Heights Elementary.

In general, it takes about four years to complete a project: 18 months of design, 8 months for permitting and 18 months to build. This is for more extensive projects. Specific completion timelines vary by project. 

Yes, factors include permitting, the construction climate, complexity of a project, construction costs, city/county requirements and cash flow (bond sales, matching funds).

The community-led, volunteer Capital Facility Advisory Committee looked at a variety of options for a pool on the hill. All of the options required substantial site development and/or a land purchase, which is costly. The pool was originally included in the Sumner High School master plan, which already has entitlements from the City of Sumner (a legal right granted by a government agency to a developer to use their property for a specific purpose), it also includes adequate parking, and stormwater measures. After many discussions and review, the CFAC determined that the SHS site was the most cost-effective location for a pool.   

The community-led, volunteer Capital Facility Advisory Committee was very intentional about creating an inclusive bond package that benefited students and the community. Turf fields are in high demand and account for less than 10% of the total cost of the bond. 

The bond project list includes 8 new lighted turf fields for year-round playability for students and community at: 

• Bonney Lake HS

• Sumner HS

• New middle school in Tehelah

• Donald Eismann Elementary

• Daffodil Valley Elementary

The new middle school will be located south of Donald Eismann Elementary near Orting Lake. 

If the bond passes in November, it should take roughly 3.5 to 4 years to complete once construction begins. The earliest it would be completed is 2029.
 

Proposition 1 would add facilities and opportunities at all middle and high schools for Career and Technical Education (CTE) that prepare students with practical skills and success after graduation. 

CTE stakeholders would be involved in analyzing program needs to ensure programs are added or adjusted to support CTE's vision to prepare students for high-demand, high-paying jobs. The goal would be to ensure classroom spaces have the equipment and experiences that parallel industry expectations. 

Referred to as CTE, it’s a program of study that prepares students for careers by providing them with academic, technical and real-world skills and knowledge. SBLSD’s CTE Department aims to bridge the gap between academics and career by equipping students with the skills necessary to be successful in the changing workforce. 

SBLSD offers eight pathways, which each include a variety of classes: 

• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

• Arts A/V Technology and Communications

• Business & Marketing

• Health Sciences

• Hospitality and Tourism

• Human Services and Education

• Information Technology STEM

• Skilled Trades and Technical Sciences

Offering equitable opportunities for any middle and high school student who wants to participate  in CTE classes benefits students, their families and the community. Here are just a few benefits of offering and maintaining strong CTE programs, which result in: 

• Higher graduation rates and student achievement

• Post high school workplace readiness with high-wage, high-demand jobs 

• Skilled, contributing member of community — workforce and economy

Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is asking the community to consider a $732 million bond measure, which would provide strong, safe, quality neighborhood schools that benefit the entire community, helping prepare every child for success, regardless of background. 

School construction and modernization are minimally funded by the state, which is why school districts rely on local, voter-approved bond funding. Taking care of basic needed school improvements now will prevent more costly repairs in the future, extend building life and save money in the long run. 

No, voters approve a total amount for the district to collect. As property values increase or as more properties are built, the rate paid by individual taxpayers may go down. 

The bond measure would maintain the same average tax rate as residential property owners have paid over the last 5 years: $4.63/$1,000 of assessed property value.  

The average residential property owner would pay $70 more in 2025 per $100K of assessed property value. The average residential property in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is projected to be $574K in 2025.  

Note: This includes all school taxes (bond and levies). The total school tax rate in 2024 is $3.94. 

If you know the assessed value of your property, calculate the amount of tax by multiplying your assessed value by the tax rate. 

For example, if your assessed value is $547,000 and the tax rate is $4.63 per thousand dollars of value, your total school tax will be $2,532.61/year or $211.05/month. Note: This includes all school taxes (bond and levies). 

$547,000 x .00463 ($4.63 per $1,000) 
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$2,532.61 total school tax 

Find your assessed property value using the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Property Tax & Value Search tool. 

School construction and modernization are minimally funded by the state, which is why school districts rely on local, voter-approved bond funding. 

Sumner-Bonney Lake would be eligible for up to $55 million in state matching funds that would save local taxpayers future improvement costs.

SBLSD issues bonds as authorized in Board-approved resolutions. 

The election is Nov. 5. Ballots will be mailed to voters by Oct. 18  and must be postmarked by Nov. 5. You can also place marked ballots postage-free in local drop boxes.

You may register to vote by mail, in person or online at www.piercecountywa.org/vote.

If your annual income does not exceed $64,000 and you own and reside in your home, including mobile homes, you may be able to get a tax reduction. You must be at least 61 years of age or, if under 61, retired because of a disability and unable to work. To learn more and apply for the senior/disabled exemption, contact the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer’s Office.