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Northshore staff outline bond and levy timeline; $75 million of 2022 bonds remain to sell
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Bergey told the board the district has $75 million in remaining 2022 bonds to sell and previewed June modeling on bond, EP&O and technology levy scenarios; board members asked for community engagement and training on election rules.
Deputy Superintendent Bergey told the Northshore School District board at a retreat that $75,000,000 of the 2022 bond authorization remains unsold and that how the district structures repayment of that debt will affect tax rates in 2026 and beyond.
"We have $75,000,000 left to sell," Bergey said, explaining that selling additional bonds affects the tax rate depending on how quickly the district chooses to repay the debt. He said the district will bring modeling to the board in June that shows different scenarios for bond, EP&O and technology levy rates.
Why it matters: The board must decide the total rate it will ask voters to approve, which will be presented in resolutions this fall and submitted to the county within statutory deadlines for ballots. Changes in assessed value and timing of bond sales can materially change household tax bills and the presentation to voters.
Bergey said the district will present rate modeling in June and noted three components that coalesce in planning: capital bond packages, the EP&O levy amount (operations) and the technology levy. He said the current technology levy is $20,000,000 per year and will likely need to rise to meet costs.
Staff previewed rate estimates discussed at the retreat: a likely range near $2.90 to $3.06 per $1,000 of assessed value this cycle, with the district's EP&O needs alone possibly adding about 30 cents to the rate. Bergey told the board that selling the remaining 2022 bonds will likely raise next year's rate and that the board must decide repayment timelines and the total rate to ask voters for in the 2026 budget year.
Board members urged a robust community process. Directors asked that advisory groups such as the Capital Bond Planning Task Force, the Educational Development Task Force (EDTF) and the Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) present their work to the board and to the community, and requested clear, user‑friendly materials that show what various total ask amounts would pay for and how the median homeowner's tax bill would change under different scenarios.
Timing and legal steps discussed by staff: more detailed scenario modeling in June; a draft resolution naming dollar amounts in October; formal resolutions to the county treasurer around November 2025; and election materials and voter pamphlet deadlines in late December for the February election cycle.
Board members also requested training on rules for elected officials and taxpayer resources during campaign windows; staff said officials may provide information but must not tell voters how to vote.
Next steps: staff will return in June with detailed rate and bond packaging scenarios, invite advisory groups to present, and prepare community information sessions and materials ahead of board decisions in October and November.
