AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Community Engagement on School Bond Measure
Families and students gathered at Serene Lake Elementary for an open house hosted by the Mukilteo School District as officials presented information on a proposed $400 million school bond. Posters and staff presentations detailed the planned upgrades that could benefit local schools if voters approve the measure in the upcoming November election.
Background and Previous Vote
The bond measure first appeared on the February ballot but failed to pass, receiving 57.2% voter approval—short of the 60% supermajority necessary for school bond measures in Washington state. District staff noted the result was close and recommended returning the measure to the November ballot without major changes, but emphasized the need to share more detailed information with the community.
Scope of School Construction and Facility Upgrades
The proposed mukilteo school district bond would fund extensive school construction and facility improvement projects throughout the district. Key initiatives include:
- Replacement projects at Explorer Middle School, Mukilteo Elementary School, Serene Lake Elementary School, and Olivia Park Elementary School.
- An addition to the Kamiak High School gymnasium.
- Installation of new turf fields, tennis courts, and running tracks at various district schools.
- Safety improvements and maintenance work at every school in the district.
For Serene Lake Elementary, the bond would add a new building usable as classrooms or multipurpose space. The school currently operates out of both an older campus, built in 1968, and a new building completed in February as part of a previous bond-funded project.
Financial Impact and School Tax Increase
District estimates suggest the bond would result in a property tax increase of about 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value. For the median homeowner, this equates to an estimated $132 annual increase.
The Need for School Facility Upgrades Instead of Expansion
Superintendent Alison Brynelson explained that, unlike previous school bond proposals that addressed rising enrollment, current efforts focus on maintaining and updating aging school infrastructure. “We don’t have the population growth to build a new building,” Brynelson said. “Our buildings are very old, and they’re breaking down, and it’s costing a significant amount of money out of the general fund to pay for the things that need to be fixed.”
Aging facilities have already led to disruptions, such as an incident with a leaking pipe at Explorer Middle School this April, which prompted major repairs and impacted after-school programs. The district estimates that merely maintaining Explorer Middle School through 2029 would cost $44 million, while extending its life to 2044 would cost $65 million. The bond measure includes $135 million to replace the school entirely.
Benefits of Modernization and Improved Learning Environments
According to district operations director Jared Henderson, new buildings would offer savings on energy and maintenance costs, featuring materials and systems designed for longevity and ease of upkeep. Serene Lake Elementary Principal Lori Bumstead noted students in the new building “feel really positive” about its security and flexible spaces that better support learning and well-being.
Upcoming Events and Additional Information
An additional open house on the mukilteo school district bond is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kamiak High School Commons. For more specifics on the proposed school replacement projects, school facility upgrades, school safety improvements, and how the bond would affect school tax rates, residents can visit the district’s website at mukilteoschools.org/bond. Election day for the school bond election is November 3.
Source: heraldnet.com.
