On the left, a green and yellow shield icon containing rolling fields, a windmill, and a textbook. On the right, the words 'Future Ready' sit atop 'Lynden' in a bold italic typeface.
A green and yellow shield icon containing rolling fields, a windmill, and a textbook.

Project Details

Learning Spaces
The project is priced to include 30 Academic Classrooms and 6 Science Labs to serve 1,100 students. The academic wing will include shared and flexible learning spaces similar to Lynden Middle School as seen in the photo.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) The project includes a woodshop and metal & ag shops. The concept also includes a bio-tech lab/classroom combo, and spaces for health sciences, culinary arts, business, multi-media, and other skill/trade purposes as prioritized by the community during design phase.

Performing and Visual Arts
The project includes art, music, and theater instructional classrooms and a multi-use venue for public performances and broad community use.

Shared Student Spaces
The project includes expanded student common areas such as cafeteria, library, hallways, restrooms, and other student support areas sized for 1250 students.

Stadium and Field Upgrade
The project includes expanded stadium seating and conversion of football field to a year-round, multiuse surface to accommodate physical education classes, football, boys’ and girls’ soccer, girls’ flag football, and expanded year-round and weekend community use.

Jake Maberry Gymnasium Improvements
The project includes ADA access updates and improvements to the entrance, hallways, restrooms, and locker rooms. Upgrades also require seismic improvements to meet current code.

Associated Costs
Included within the project are costs associated with design, permitting, code compliance, safety and security, furnishings, and equipment.

Cost Details

Learning Spaces
Career and Technical Education
Performing and Visual Arts
Shared Student Spaces		$91.35 million
Stadium and Field Upgrade$4.25 million
Jake Maberry Gymnasium Improvements$5.4 million
Associated Costs
(permits, design, compliance codes, furnishings and equipment)		$59 million
State Construction Assistance Program$31 million reimbursement credit
Total Bond Amount$129 million

Project Phasing

Passage of the November 4 bond would result in an aggressive construction schedule. Industry professionals have designed a phasing plan to open the new school at the start of the 2028-29 school year. The phasing plan is the most cost effective while limiting the impact on student learning throughout construction.

The table below outlines design and construction activities and the estimated length of time (in months) to complete them.

Key Reminder: The drawing above is concept only, actual final design is completed with input of citizens, educators, and students following the passage of the bond.

Historical Overview

Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan

The City of Lynden and Whatcom County request that the District update its Capital Facilities Plan to allow each jurisdiction to adopt it by reference. The District’s Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan was approved and adopted by the board on March 6, 2025. This document serves as a guide for planning capital projects and determining the District’s eligibility of receiving school impact fees.

Click here to access the Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan.

Long Range Facilities Planning

A group of six community and staff members participated in a series of meetings starting at the beginning of 2023 with the intent to provide an inventory of current capital facilities and identify future school capital facility needs. Factors discussed and taken into consideration were student enrollment projections and building capacity in relation to facility needs. Following the completion of their work, the group presented a Long Range Facilities Plan to the Board of Directors on July 13, 2023. This document will be used as a working document to guide district decision-making and provide clarity on the need for funding of future facilities and maintenance of current facilities. The document will be reviewed annually and modified as needed to take into account any residential development that occurs, updated enrollment projections, and any unforeseen needs.

Click here to access the Long Range Capital Facilities Report.

Bond Planning Task Force

As a result of the work done by the Facilities Planning Committee, a Bond Planning Task Force was created. An invitation to serve on this committee was sent to community members on March 13, 2023 with the objective of achieving representation of the diversity in our community. Through a series of meetings, the Bond Planning Task Force gained a full understanding of priorities and thoughtfully planned for capital spending to address current needs and those necessary to support continually improving educational practices and student services in Lynden School District. A summary of each meeting is posted below.
Following the conclusion of their work, the group presented the 2023 Bond Planning Task Force Report to the Board of Directors on August 10, 2023.

Click here to access the Bond Planning Task Force Report.

Facilities Planning Committee

The Facilities Planning Committee was established in the fall of 2023 as an advisory to the superintendent to prepare recommendations to the Lynden School District Board of Directors toward a proposal for the next bond election.

The Facilities Planning Committee met with the board on January 26, 2023 for a work session to discuss the Facilities Planning Report that was prepared after a series of meetings took place. Those meetings included discussions regarding building conditions through a review of the most recent State Study and Survey. From that report, two facilities planning groups were created- a Bond Planning Task Force and a Long Range Facility Planning group.

Click here to access the Facilities Planning Committee Report.

Community Solutions Committee

Following two unsuccessful bond measures in 2024, the Lynden School District established the Community Solutions Committee (CSC) to provide a fresh perspective on facility needs and funding priorities. The CSC’s official charter included:

  • Validating facility needs
  • Identifying barriers to community consensus
  • Recommending a prioritized scope for capital improvements
  • Supporting transparency and fiscal responsibility throughout the process

The committee included local business owners, civic leaders, and residents—many of whom were not involved in prior bond development efforts. Their work was grounded in transparency, open dialogue, and shared responsibility to both students and taxpayers. After months of analysis and discussion, the CSC provided its recommendation to the Lynden School Board on Thursday, June 12. The group’s recommendation supports a bond proposal that is reduced in total cost compared to the original plans brought to voters in 2024.

The CSC recommends limiting the scope of the bond to include only the replacement of Lynden High School, citing it as the great need and the project most significantly impacted by cost escalations if delayed. An audio recording of the group’s presentation and subsequent discussion with the school board can be listened to here. (2:27:00)

Click here to access the Community Solutions Committee Consensus Report.
Click here to access the Community Solutions Committee Summary Report.