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Capital Bond committee recommends focus on new elementary, modernization and portables reduction
Summary
The district’s Capital Bond Planning Committee reported consensus around prioritizing new permanent elementary capacity, modernizing aging buildings (including Cascade High School), replacing portables and improving outdoor play spaces; the committee will submit a final recommendation to the superintendent later in June.
Everett — The Everett Public Schools Capital Bond Planning Committee has coalesced around a bond proposal that prioritizes new permanent elementary capacity, modernization of aging school buildings and reducing the district’s reliance on portables, the committee reported to the board on June 10.
“Build new permanent space to reduce overcrowding” was the top priority identified in two community engagement events, committee chair Kevin Fleckenstein told the board, followed by replacing or modernizing older buildings, building system upgrades (HVAC, roofing) and safety and security improvements.
The committee’s work included facility bus tours, community engagement meetings at North Middle and Heatherwood Middle schools and a ranking exercise where committee members prioritized projects from a long list. Fleckenstein said committee members reached a high level of consensus on major projects and emphasized outdoor play spaces and moving students out of portables.
Committee members specifically called out Cascade High School as a site needing modernization attention because several campus buildings have reached or exceeded their useful life, Fleckenstein said in response to a board question.
The committee’s final recommendation will be delivered to Superintendent Saltzman on June 24; the superintendent plans to bring the recommendation to the board for discussion at its Aug. 21 meeting, with six committee members joining that session. Board members noted state funding rules and the 60% approval threshold for local school bonds in Washington will shape outreach and timeline.
No bond amount or ballot timing was finalized at the June 10 meeting; committee members and board directors said additional public education will be required ahead of any 2026 bond measure.
