Nikkya Alonzo, executive director of communications for the Auburn School District, told the Auburn City Council during its Aug. 11 study session that the district will place two propositions on the Nov. ballot: a capital bond to replace three primary school buildings and build a fifth middle school, and a six-year levy to fund major maintenance, safety improvements and technology replacement.

Alonzo said the district previously put a larger bond to voters in November 2024 that received about 55% approval but fell short of Washington state’s 60% supermajority requirement for school bonds. The current package separates the projects into two measures so voters can consider the primary building replacements independently of maintenance and technology needs.

The bond (Proposition 1) would pay for a new middle school to relieve more than 900 middle-school students currently housed in portable classrooms and would replace two existing schools identified as priorities; Alonzo said the estimated tax-rate impact for Proposition 1 would be about $1.04 per $1,000 of assessed value. Proposition 2, the levy, is a six-year levy Alonzo described as covering facility maintenance (roofs, flooring, boilers), safety and security upgrades (secure entry vestibules, card access, fencing), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) work, and a technology replacement levy; she estimated it would cost about $0.77 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The district framed the bond as a long-term financing tool (20 years, akin to a mortgage) while the levy would cover shorter-term maintenance and technology needs. Alonzo said seven district buildings currently lack air conditioning and that every building would receive some improvements if the levy passes. She also noted the district maintains a detailed project list and that she could connect council members with the maintenance director for specifics.

Council members pressed for clarity on how the district will translate the measures into clear information for voters. Councilmember Tracy Taylor asked how the district planned to explain the cost to the average homeowner; Alonzo said the district has conducted outreach already — booths at community events (National Night Out, Fourth of July festival, farmers market), direct mailings, community forums and ongoing updates to the district website — and plans additional fall mailings and forums.

Councilmember Joe Emanuel asked about enrollment and whether recently completed school projects have already outgrown capacity. Alonzo said one recently replaced school had portables the year after opening and that middle schools, in general, are experiencing rapid growth. She said the district would reconvene a boundary committee if the bond passes, and pointed to earlier boundary adjustments made this year to address overcrowding.

Alonzo said the district completed eight projects funded by a 2016 bond that she said were delivered on time and on budget; she described ongoing monthly maintenance checks such as roof inspections. She emphasized the district’s aim to be transparent about project lists and said the board split last year’s package to let voters decide on primary building replacements separately from a shorter-term levy.

No formal action was taken by the council during the presentation; council members asked questions and requested further information.

Alonzo left business cards and offered to provide the district’s detailed, school-by-school project list to any council member who requested it.

Notes: The district described estimated tax-rate impacts and project categories; precise project lists and final tax impacts will be set in ballot language and official estimates and were presented in a handout distributed at the meeting.