Deer Park ISD committee weighs 3-year capital levy, limited debt and transportation co‑op to buy land and address Arcadia crowding

At a Deer Park ISD Facilities Advisory Committee meeting, district staff presented a set of financing options to address an urgent list of school-facilities needs, including purchase of land and construction of a transportation center, interim improvements at Arcadia Elementary and other capital projects.

Alexa, the district staff member who led the meeting, said the committee’s top priority is acquiring land and building a road to support a new transportation center and a new elementary campus. “We have been, eager beavers and just really racking our brains as to, where to go what our plans look like,” Alexa said as she opened the discussion and invited public feedback.

The committee reviewed three financing paths: (1) a capital levy (run between one and six years; simple majority required), (2) a limited general obligation (LGO) bond (non‑voted debt that cannot be used for new construction), and (3) a voted bond (supermajority—60%+1—required and usable only for capital). Staff also summarized a possible transportation co‑op with neighboring districts and other revenue sources such as state “match” funds.

Why it matters: Deer Park Elementary (DPE) and Arcadia are facing capacity and building-life issues that the committee described as increasingly urgent. Arcadia currently uses multiple portables, has no cafeteria and combines classes because of space constraints. The transportation facility was described as undersized and in poor condition; staff said acquiring new land and building a road would relieve traffic pressure and enable a new transportation center located east of Deer Park Elementary.

Key cost estimates and priorities presented by staff (net to local taxpayers unless otherwise noted): land plus road $5,000,000; transportation center $7,000,000; a new elementary school $46,000,000 (eligible for some state match on school construction); Arcadia renovation/HomeLink support approximately $4,000,000; selected roofing/HVAC and gym repairs and other medium projects were discussed but not fully specified. Alexa said Arcadia will be eligible for about $9,000,000 in state match on some renovation work in 2027, and staff noted some capital items (land, roads, transportation center components) do not qualify for state match.

Financing options explained in the meeting: - Capital levy: can be set for 1–6 years, requires a simple majority, and is structured as dollars-per-$1,000 of assessed value (staff used $1.26 and $1.50 per $1,000 as illustrative rates). A 3‑year levy at $1.50 was modeled to generate roughly $11.1 million over three years; staff presented a scenario where a November 2025 levy would yield funds beginning in 2026 and could be combined with district savings to buy land and begin transportation work. - LGO (limited general obligation) debt: non‑voted borrowing that—per staff—cannot be used for new construction (so it would not be eligible to fund the transportation center). Interest on LGO debt would come from the district general fund, and staff cautioned interest costs can be sizable. - Voted bond: the traditional long-term borrowing option used previously by the district; requires a supermajority vote (60%+1). The district had run bond measures twice before and fell short (about 51% in the prior attempt), prompting staff to consider alternative packages.

Staff also described a transportation co‑op option (state‑encouraged cooperative model, with OSPI checklists and partner-district resolutions required). Preliminary information from staff suggested a co‑op could contribute roughly $3,000,000 toward the transportation center, but staff said the co‑op path carries timing restrictions, eligibility rules and state-mandated conditions that would need resolution before relying on that money.

Committee members and attendees pressed for more granular cost breakdowns (for example, how the $5 million land-and-road estimate is allocated between land, roadbed, utilities, lighting and other items). Staff acknowledged some numbers are projections and said costs have risen since the last bond attempt. Attendees emphasized the need for clear communication to voters about specific project scopes, timelines and tradeoffs.

There were no formal motions or votes recorded in this meeting. Instead, staff sought input on whether the committee should recommend a three-year capital levy (modeled at $1.50 per $1,000) to the school board and asked the group to help shape outreach and messaging for a potential November ballot placement. Staff identified an administrative deadline in early July to finalize ballot language for a November election.

Next steps and committee direction: staff said they will continue researching the transportation co‑op eligibility, refine cost details for land, road and Arcadia work, run community polling on levy appetite and bring a recommendation to the board. Alexa asked attendees for contact input and volunteered to follow up with a poll and more detailed financial breakdowns.

The meeting combined strategic planning (a multiyear pathway that could pair a short-term levy with a later bond) with immediate operational choices (roof and HVAC priorities, fencing and safety work at Arcadia, and upgrades to the district alert/phone/intercom system). Attendees repeatedly urged transparent, audience‑tailored messaging that explains daily life impacts (for example, bucket‑brigade responses to leaks, lack of cafeteria at Arcadia, or an outhouse placed for staff) rather than only abstract dollar totals.