District staff presented a recommended capital project package with an aggregate cost of $40,193,896 and recommended the board authorize the full amount now so the project can remain on schedule for a December ballot vote.

The presenter said the financing plan would include $37,608,896 in bonded debt and a $2,000,585 transfer from fund balance into the capital project to keep the proposal tax neutral for voters. The package combines the top-priority items (listed as priorities 1–3) plus two alternates, including a turf field at Park Terrace (Husky Field). The board was told the resolutions being considered later in the agenda are written to allow the board to approve the dollar amount now and decide afterward whether to install natural sod or artificial turf at Husky Field.

Presenters emphasized that much of the project is infrastructure — roofing, boilers, door hardware and warranties — and that the middle school roof replacement alone represents about $11.5 million of the total. The package includes a full replacement of fencing around Husky Field regardless of surface choice. If the board eventually chooses artificial turf, presenters said the raw turf cost is “about a million dollars”; overall site upgrades tied to Park Terrace (parking, parent drop-off and access) were described as roughly $2 million in additional work that would be included if the turf alternate is pursued.

On field construction concerns, staff said they would perform sub-surface borings and compaction testing and install a complete drainage structure under the field regardless of surface choice to reduce the risk of future sub-base movement or drainage problems. The presenters also said that if the board approves the full dollar amount now, the district will develop design-level renderings and community-facing graphics to share before the public vote.

Why it matters: the package is designed to put the district’s buildings back under current warranties, address deferred infrastructure needs, and preserve flexibility on the Husky Field surface decision while keeping the project tax neutral for voters. The transcript records detailed cost figures and technical steps staff said they will take but does not record a final board vote on the capital project package at this meeting.