FAQ’s are intended for informational purposes only. Updates will be made as feedback and questions are received.
High School Replacement Bond Overview
Proposition 1 proposes a $129 million capital investment to replace the current Lynden High School. The proposed project addresses enrollment growth, aging infrastructure, and the need for purpose-built spaces that support learning for skilled jobs in the trades and higher education.
If approved by voters, bond funds would be used to design and construct a new high school facility that meets updated educational, safety, and capacity standards.
Current concept designs are for pricing only. The design of the school would be completed with community, student, and staff input after the bond is approved.
Lynden High School is the oldest building in the district and has the most wear and tear. It has outdated systems, aging materials, and requires the most maintenance to keep running compared to other schools. In addition, it is no longer well-aligned with current educational standards. The existing building faces challenges related to aging infrastructure, classroom size, safety, and support for modern learning programs.
‘Adding on’ and/or renovating current structure has been studied by multiple citizen groups. Recommendations of informed citizens have determined the most effective approach is a full replacement designed for 1100 students and able to be expanded. This is the most cost-effective long-term solution.
- General academic classrooms and science labs sized to serve 1100 students.
- Career and technical education (CTE) spaces including wood, metal, and ag shops; agriculture, bio-tech labs, culinary arts, technology and other skill and trade development spaces as prioritized by the community during the design phase.
- Cafeteria, library, and student support areas sized for 1250 students
- Enhanced safety through environmental design and school safety best practices
- A seismic compliant (reinforced walls) and ADA-updated gymnasium (new bleachers)
- Expanded stadium seating and conversion of football field to a year-round, multi-use field to accommodate physical education classes, football, boys and girls soccer, girls flag football, and expanded community use
- A multi-use/public performance space for student instruction, public performances, and broad community use.
- Upgraded energy, lighting, and technology systems
- All necessary sitework including parking, drop-off zones, ADA access improvements, and seismic upgrades
The Performing Arts Center is included as a core instructional space and intended to serve as a multi-use facility. It supports a wide range of student learning programs including music, drama, culinary, technology, design, and hospitality career pathways. The inclusion of this valued space would serve the community for many years and aligns with other high schools in the region providing a well-rounded high school experience meeting a broad cross-section of student needs.
The current stadium seating, built when the student population of the school was 350, is undersized to fit our students, band, parents, supporters, and visiting school fans.
The current use of the field is restricted due to size and field conditions. Converting the field from grass to a multi-use surface will expand the usage from high school football-only to year-round use including boys & girls soccer, girls flag football, and youth sports.
Included within the proposal is the ability to return other outdoor learning spaces and activity fields such as fastpitch, baseball, and football practice to its current state following construction along with some drainage improvement upgrades. There is the potential to upgrade play surfaces to multi-use similar to football for greater use but funds are not included within the proposal to complete those projects.
Financial Impact and Accountability
The total proposed bond is $129,006,278 million, which is $28.5 million less than the previous two bond requests of $157.5 million. The estimated tax rate increase to begin in 2027 is estimated at $1.13 per $1,000 reduced to lessen impact on voters from the estimated 2024 rate of $1.36 per $1000.
Reductions were made as a direct result of community feedback. The Board made the difficult decision to remove the elementary classroom expansions from the project, accepting the current 17 portable classrooms as adequate learning spaces for the near future. This reduced the cost of the project by approximately $24 million (in 2024 dollars).
Another strategy was to reduce the overall square footage of the initial high school proposal from serving 1250 students to 1100 students. Areas such as hallways, the cafeteria, and restrooms would still be sized for 1250 students with the final design plans to include space for expansion to accommodate growth. This plan also includes the pursuit of collecting school impact fees to help offset costs for current residents to complete future expansion of the high school as a result of growth.
Additional reductions from 2024 to 2025 included:
- Applying for and being awarded a $1 million energy grant to complete heating and lighting upgrades at Bernice Vossbeck Elementary (we are pursuing similar for Isom Elementary)
- Refinancing remaining 10 years of current bonds for total savings to taxpayers of $1.3 million
- Prioritizing projects that maximize the State Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) funds. These funds are returned to the community once bonds are passed and qualifying expenditures are made. We estimate that the current project proposal would qualify for nearly $31 million SCAP funds returned to the community.
- Completing a few large maintenance projects and installing elementary playgrounds using approximately $675,000 from general operating funds
- Investing in completion of more advanced concept development, structural engineering, and construction phasing plans to ensure feasibility and identify all cost-savings options prior to going back to voters
- Trading small amounts of property and awarding land easements to City of Lynden in trade for traffic fee credits on future projects
Two main contributors: (
1) Cost of construction has increase;
(2) The debt repayment structure selected by the elected board directors.
The total amount collected over life of debt repayment is estimated to be $253 million which is only $1 million less than in 2024. The goal of the Board was to keep property tax rates as low as possible for current residents which is accomplished by spreading repayment of each bond across 22 years while maintaining a steady millage rate of $1.13 per $1,000 (down from $1.36 in 2024). Collection would begin in 2027. The district repayment structure assumes a 4% annual increase in total property value, which combined with the steady rate, would result in an annual increase of total money collected each year.
We do not know the interest rates. Rates are determined after a proposal receives approval from 60% of the voters which authorizes the district to sell bonds to investors. The district estimates conservatively by using current estimated interest rates plus 1%. We are using an estimated interest rate of 5.74%-5.87% for a total estimated principal plus interest cost of $253 million. If bonds were sold at current rates (4.74%-4.87%), total principal plus interest would be estimated to $220-$225 million.
The estimated tax rate increase is $1.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Collection would begin in 2027. We estimate that the owner of a $600,000 property would be assessed a monthly increase of $56.50 or $678.00 for the year. Future years are calculated based on the assumed 4% annual increase described above. A simple calculation would be to multiply the previous year’s monthly or annual amount by 4%. Example: If your property increased in value by 4% and every other property in Lynden does as well, your $56.50 in 2027 would become $58.76 in 2028.
No, and this is a common misunderstanding. The district does only collects the amount approved by voters ($129 million). An individual’s annual tax assessment associated with the bond is adjusted annually and determined by several factors:
- Property values: If assessed values increase across the district, the tax rate may remain stable while individual taxpayer amounts may shift slightly based on each property’s value.
- Population growth: As more homes and businesses are added to the tax base, the total cost of repayment is distributed across a larger number of taxpayers. This can help moderate individual tax bills over time.
- Number of taxpayers: The larger the pool of contributors, the lower the share each taxpayer carries to meet the same bond repayment amount.
Lynden is projected to grow in the coming years. As that happens, the bond’s total repayment obligation remains fixed, but the individual share may decrease as more properties are added to the tax base. If total property value slows or decreases, an individual’s share may increase.
YES! Annual tax impact over the life of debt repayment is confusing and is where incorrect information can develop. Please email lps-superintendent@lynden.wednet.edu or call the superintendent’s office at 360-354-4443 Ext. 3414 if additional information would be beneficial.
Yes, potentially. Owners of rental properties pay property taxes based on assessed values of the property similar to single family residents and businesses. Passing increases on to tenants is a reasonable conclusion and helps to spread costs of public infrastructure such as schools across more citizens accessing the facilities intended to serve them.
If the bond were to pass, an apartment unit with an assessed value of $200,000 would see an estimated increase of $18.83 per month on its property taxes in 2027. It is reasonable to think that these increases may be passed along to renters by the landlord.
Yes, existing Lynden School District bonds (Fisher & LMS) are set to expire in 2036. Once those bonds are paid off, the overall school-related tax rate is expected to decrease, which may help offset the long-term impact of the new bond.
The cost was developed through a review of similar high school construction projects in the region, updated cost estimates from construction professionals, and input from a community-based advisory group. Local contractors also reviewed and validated pricing based on projected inflation and market trends.
The current concept design prioritizes function and capacity. Previous projects in Lynden (LMS and Fisher) have not included expensive design elements and we do not anticipate expenditure decisions to be made that don’t serve the functions or extend the longevity of the facility. A ‘Bond Oversight Committee’ made up of citizens will be in place to review decisions to ensure function over fancy.
The final bond request was calculated based on the following steps:
- A local architect was hired to determine the space and program needs of the high school, based on state and federal regulations, educational requirements, and comparisons to similar high schools in the region.
- From that educational program, a local contractor developed a detailed construction budget. This estimate was based on recent, comparable school projects and included:
- Escalation: projected increases in labor and material costs over time.
- Soft costs: non-construction expenses such as design fees, permitting, utility connections, surveys, and furniture/equipment.
- This information was reviewed by a Community Solutions Committee made up of local business leaders, contractors, and community members. Over several months, this group:
- Reviewed cost estimates in detail
- Identified areas to reduce scope
- Validated that the proposed budget reflected current market conditions and community expectations.
In parallel, the District evaluated its eligibility for state construction funding (SCAP) and pursued available grant opportunities to reduce the estimated amount of funding required through the bond.
Scope and Prioritization
The District’s earlier proposal included elementary additions and other facility upgrades based on identified long-term needs. Since that time, new grant opportunities became available for elementary air system upgrades and playground improvements — and the District successfully secured those funds.
In addition, the District made a strategic decision to continue using portables to manage elementary enrollment growth for the time being. These developments allowed the District to reduce the bond scope while still addressing student needs — without compromising educational quality.
The high school remains the District’s most pressing capital priority. Focusing this bond on that single need reflects updated funding opportunities, smart resource use, and the District’s continued commitment to long-term planning.
Community involvement has guided this process from the beginning. The District’s long-range capital planning efforts began with a state-mandated study in 2013 and continued through the opening of Fisher Elementary and Lynden Middle Schools. In 2022, a Facilities Planning Committee was formed to re-evaluate district needs in light of the 2021 strategic priorities.
That committee recommended updating the long-range plan and convening a Bond Planning Task Force, which made the original recommendation for the 2024 bond.
After the 2024 bond measures did not pass, the District formed a Community Solutions Committee (CSC) made up of local business leaders, contractors, and community members with finance acumen. The CSC was tasked with:
- Validating facility needs
- Identifying barriers to consensus
- Developing a simplified, prioritized plan
- Delivering a public recommendation to the School Board
The CSC process was collaborative, transparent, and data-informed. Its work led to a refined bond proposal focused on the high school only, designed to reflect what the community could realistically support given today’s economic conditions, tax climate, and funding opportunities. This approach reflects the District’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term planning that responds directly to feedback from the Lynden community.
Lynden High School has served our students and community well over the past 40+ years. But 40+ years of wear and tear takes a toll on a facility, especially when there are more students in a space that it was designed for, as is the case at LHS. Our maintenance and custodial staff have worked hard to maintain a clean, safe, and quality learning environment, but building systems are past their usable life. Outdated electrical and plumbing systems are failing and requiring continual replacement of pipes, outlets, and fixtures. Some outdated systems also make it a challenge to find replacement parts, which results in the need to fabricate parts or make a repair that is not specific to a particular system, which takes considerable time and money.
During the 2022/2023 school year, the Facilities Planning Committee reviewed each schools’ facility. The committee’s job was to review the condition of each school and make recommendations about short term and long term maintenance. The overwhelming response was that Lynden High School needed to be replaced.
Additionally, in 2022, the school district conducted a formal study and survey, evaluating each school facility, using state standards to determine the conditions of all components of each facility. Each facility was rated on a 1-100 scale and Lynden High School scored at or below the 50 point mark. A score of 60 is considered to be a recommendation to replace rather than remodel.
We are committed to maintaining our facility investments. We prioritize remodeling or renovating buildings whenever possible to ensure our school buildings meet the needs of our students. As part of the facility planning process, a cost projection analysis was done to look at the cost of renovating and the cost of rebuilding. The major issues that need to be addressed with the current high school are the obsolete internal building systems, over-capacity classrooms and common spaces, outdated learning spaces, and multiple exterior doors. Additionally, the existing gym and locker rooms need to be renovated and traffic safety needs to be addressed throughout the site.
Costs-While the option to renovate the existing building systems (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) and add the additional learning space may seem to come in at lower initial construction cost, these renovations come with several added obstacles and costs that when taken into consideration actually cost more with an inferior outcome.
Alternatively, for a new facility, the bulk of construction would take place on the practice fields while students remain in their classrooms. Upon completion students are moved into the new space and the existing building is then demolished and administrative spaces built. This not only brings minimal disruptions to students but reduces the costs for portables that would be necessary in a plan for renovation. While some portables might need to be used, it would be far fewer than the number needed for a renovation and would be in use for less time.
Additionally, the cost of securing the required portables to house nearly every classroom while renovation is taking place would cost a significant amount. The average cost of a portable is $500,000. For 30 classrooms, that means an additional $15 million in costs. Alternatively, for a new facility, the bulk of construction would take place on the practice fields while students remain in their classrooms. Upon completion students are moved into the new space and the existing building is then demolished and administrative spaces built. This not only brings minimal disruptions to students but reduces the costs for portables that would be necessary in a plan for renovation. While some portables might need to be used, it would be far fewer than the number needed for a renovation and would be in use for less time.
Hazardous materials- Asbestos abatement would be necessary while renovating existing building systems. Control and disposal of hazardous materials like asbestos adds a significant cost to the construction that is not fully determinable until the work is underway. When demolishing existing structures, the removal of the materials is still necessary, but costs can be planned for ahead of time, and are significantly less than prevention and control.
Additional Obstacles to Remodeling
- The safety concerns regarding the 70+ exterior doors will not be addressed, nor would the safety and proximity to the street.
- Renovations will not be able to adequately address the modernized classrooms for updated Career and Technical Education classes or add the collaborative learning spaces.
- The construction time for a phased renovation is longer. The price escalation of renovations would continue to increase with inflation.
- A renovated Lynden High School will continue to have higher maintenance and operational costs than a new building.
The facility needs are not temporary, and in fact will continue to get worse as enrollment is projected to increase. The cost to address these issues will only continue to rise. This is the most cost-effective time to address the safety and capacity issues at the high school.
Construction, Timeline, and Impact
The District placed this bond measure on the November 2025 ballot to help reduce project costs by minimizing construction escalation. If approved by voters, the intent is for design work to begin immediately.
The design process will include meaningful input from stakeholders and school staff to ensure the new facility reflects both educational needs and operational priorities.
The goal is to begin construction in spring 2027 and have as much of the new high school as possible ready for use by fall 2028, with the remaining spaces coming online over the following year. Actual timelines will depend on permitting, procurement, and construction market conditions.
This approach supports both fiscal responsibility and a facility design that is shaped by those who will use it every day.
Yes. The current Lynden High School will remain operational throughout the construction process, allowing students to continue learning in their existing classrooms until the new facility is ready for use. Once the new high school is complete and occupied, the existing facility will be decommissioned and removed, with expanded parking and improved site access constructed in its place.
The final design and phasing approach will be determined once the measure passes, and a design team is selected. At that point, all site and scheduling options will be explored, with a clear priority placed on efficiency, minimizing disruption to students, and controlling costs.
If approved, construction of the new Lynden High School will create jobs and generate direct economic activity in the community. The District is committed to emphasizing local contractors, suppliers, and labor whenever possible, in alignment with state public bidding requirements. This focus helps keep project dollars circulating within the Lynden area.
Yes. The new high school will be built to support pre-apprenticeship and skilled trades programming such as Core Plus Construction, a Washington-recognized curriculum that prepares high school students for careers in the construction industry. These programs provide students with hands-on experience in carpentry, electrical systems, blueprint reading, and safety—creating pathways into registered apprenticeships and high-demand jobs after graduation.
In this way, the bond project supports the local economy both immediately—through construction activity—and in the long term, by helping prepare students for the regional workforce.
Grants, State Funding, and Alternatives
Local funding is essential to move forward with a new high school. State funding can help offset a portion of school construction costs, but it does not cover full project expenses. In Washington, the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) provides partial reimbursement based on a formula that considers district enrollment, building condition, and eligible square footage.
SCAP funding requires matching local funds to be eligible. Without a voter-approved bond, the District cannot access these funds to support the project.
For a project of this size, a bond is the most cost-effective and efficient option available under Washington state law. A bond allows the District to secure the full project funding up front, enabling construction to begin without delay. Bonds are repaid over a longer period – typically 20-24 years – which spreads the cost out and reduces the immediate tax impact on current property owners. This model also creates a mechanism for future residents to contribute.
If it were a levy, there would be no interest costs, but the district’s current citizens would need to pay for the cost of the school over a very short period of time making it unaffordable, while also spreading the construction out over many years would also increase costs due to inflation and escalation making the ask much higher.
If the bond measure does not pass, the District will not be able to move forward with the replacement of Lynden High School at this time. The current building will remain in use. As building systems reach the end of their useful life, the District will pursue repairs to maintain basic functionality.
Enrollment currently exceeds the building’s original design. Lynden High School is expected to serve approximately 965 students by 2030–31, while the facility was originally designed for 500 and expanded twice previously to serve 740. This is a 30% overage and affects class sizes, program availability, and how existing space is used.
The long-term facility needs identified during the multi-year planning process started back in 2013 will remain. If the bond does not pass, the District would need to revisit options with the community in the future, likely under different market conditions and cost assumptions.
We hear, “I thought it was supposed to be sold and those funds would be used to pay down the bond…trust was broken.”
Previous bond initiatives that were on the ballot in February of 2014 and 2011 included information that the old LMS building, or land, would be sold with proceeds used to pay down debt . Those bond initiatives did not pass.
The April 2015 bond initiative included plans to convert the old middle school site into a community learning center that would include the district offices, early learning classrooms, and areas for community recreation and education. It also included that Judson Hall and the gymnasiums would continue to be used for district drama productions, practices, and games. That bond did pass, and we have converted the old middle school into what is now known as the Main Street Campus which houses our pre-school, district offices, and other district-wide learning programs and support. We continue strong partnerships with Lynden Youth Sports and the Whatcom Center for Early Learning. The District has done exactly what voters approved in 2015 election.
The new schools are not currently at capacity, nor are they projected to be at capacity anytime soon. These two projects came in under budget during bid and design stage which resulted in the addition of permanent classroom space. This common misunderstanding stems from the way the state’s assistance program works. The matching funds (SCAP, only about 25% of the total costs) contributed by the state is only calculated based on enrollment of anticipated year of opening. Communities that support projects beyond current enrollment pay more for that square footage as a result of this process. So, it can be built bigger than needed but costs are higher. Districts work to strike a balance and size projects for growth while recognizing the total cost may have a greater impact on its residents.
General Bond & Levy FAQ’s
Bonds are for Buildings– A capital projects bond offers districts funds for major construction upfront and represents a long-term commitment from voters to support the improvement or new construction of district facilities. Once bonds are approved and subsequently offered for sale to investors, tax revenue is collected over a 20-year period to pay off the bonds.
Levies are for Learning– Maintenance and operations levies collect funds that help finance educational programs and operations of the public school district. The levy specifies an amount to be collected each year and runs for a period of 1-4 years. The EP&O levy provides support for programs, staffing, and services that the state does not fully fund.
Watch this video for more detailed information on the difference between bonds and levies.
The state still does not fully fund programs considered to be basic education such as the full cost of classified and certificated staffing (salaries and benefits), fully adequate staffing levels to support students, full cost of special education services, full cost of student programs to ensure every child’s success, and others. In order to continue current programs and services, a local levy is necessary to address the gap between what the state funds and the actual cost of operating schools.
A ballot including the Lynden School District November 4, 2025 Capital Projects Bond election will be mailed to the homes of registered voters on or around October 15, 2025.
Washington State Law has two requirements for school bond elections:
Capital projects bond measure require a supermajority vote; that means that at least 60% of the votes must be “YES” in order for the measure to pass
At least 40% of the voters who voted in the last general election must cast a ballot for the November 4th election in order for the capital facility bond to be validated.
Senior citizens (age 62+) and disabled individuals may be eligible for a residential property tax exemption. Call the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office at 360-676-6790 for more information on this exemption.
More information can be found on the Assessor’s Website here.