Board discussion: aging school buildings and HVAC risks prompt early bond planning

District staff told the Mercer Island School District board that many campus buildings are decades old and that the cost and timing to address multiple large systems require proactive planning.

Staff reviewed the long‑range facilities plan and said the majority of district buildings are 60–70 years old and that partial high‑school HVAC replacement was estimated in the discussion at around $20 million while a complete replacement could approach $60–$70 million. A facilities presenter said some air‑handlers are “past their lifetime of 20 years” and parts are increasingly hard to source, adding that a failure could force temporary shutdowns of portions of the high school and highly disruptive short‑term mitigations.

Board members and staff discussed financing options — a targeted small bond, a larger phased bond, raising the capital levy or exploring state treasury lending programs and certificate of participation options. Staff cautioned that design, contracting and PRC processes mean even an approved bond would likely require 2–3 years before full construction can begin and that major projects often need to be phased to keep schools operational during work.

Directors asked for scenarios showing a series of smaller bonds versus a single comprehensive package, sample tax‑impact calculations, and comparisons to the district’s prior 2025 bond effort. Staff said they would prepare scenario planning, cost estimates and outreach timelines if the board wished to pursue a February 2027 or later ballot.

No final decision was made; the discussion set direction for additional analysis and community engagement.