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Brunswick commissioners approve $349.6 million school bond for November general-election ballot
Summary
The Board of Commissioners agreed to place a $349.6 million general‑obligation school bond on the November general-election ballot after a presentation from the school superintendent and debate about timing and tax impacts. The bond would fund two new schools and districtwide upgrades; commissioners discussed phasing, outreach and an estimated phased tax impact of about 5.74 mills.
The Tunzer County Board of Commissioners voted to place a $349,600,000 general‑obligation school bond referendum on the November general‑election ballot.
Superintendent Cole presented the school system’s capital needs and said the request is driven by enrollment growth and capacity shortfalls in the district’s North Region. Cole said the proposal is based on development already approved and projected growth, and would fund purchase of school sites, construction of a new elementary school (target opening 2028) and a new high school (target opening 2031), and districtwide upgrades that include new intercom systems, indoor bleachers and athletic facilities. “This bond delivers elementary school, and elementary school and a new high school to balance attendance zones and restore a healthy capacity buffer,” Cole said.
Commissioners debated timing: some members urged putting the referendum on the primary to meet the school board’s timetable, while others said a general‑election placement would allow a longer public education campaign. Finance staff described a financing scenario that phases tax impacts across three years and estimated a total build‑out impact of roughly 5.74 mills (phased), noting amortization reduces initial year burden.
After discussion and several competing motions, the board agreed to approve the bond amount and place it on the November general‑election ballot. The chair moved the final motion to approve the $349,600,000 bond and the board approved it with one recorded dissent on timing grounds.
The superintendent said the school board and district staff plan immediate public engagement and that passing the bond would reduce long‑term reliance on modular classrooms, address lunch‑service and traffic constraints and add safe permanent classroom capacity.
Next steps: county staff must prepare and publish the formal resolution and provide a final bond figure and calculations six months before placement on the ballot for certification and any required Local Government Commission filings.
