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Rainier SD 13 hires pre‑bond consultants to prepare possible May 2027 bond, seeks state matching funds
Summary
The Rainier SD 13 board approved a professional services agreement with OTAAC (Brian Hardebec) to lead pre‑bond planning, long‑range facility analysis and coordinate grant opportunities that could double local bond dollars; board emphasized community engagement and timing for a May 2027 ballot.
The Rainier School District 13 board on March 9 approved a professional services agreement with OTAAC to provide pre‑bond support ahead of a potential May 2027 general‑obligation bond.
Brian Hardebec, a CPM with OTAAC, told the board the firm will help shape a long‑range facilities plan, coordinate with communications consultants and align district requests with state grant opportunities such as seismic and the one-to-one matching “awesome” grant. "We are ready to get started," Hardebec said during his presentation, framing the work as technical planning and community outreach to clarify what voters would be asked to pay for.
Why it matters: district staff and consultants said the timing is favorable to seek a bond and to apply for state matching dollars that can materially reduce the local tax rate. Staff reported a potential $20 million bond could be substantially leveraged by state matches (officials said match amounts vary by program and eligibility). The board repeatedly emphasized that community priorities—roofs, HVAC/envelope work, accessible mechanical systems and the high‑school pool—should drive the final package.
What the work will include: OTAAC's scope covers long‑range facility assessment, coordination with the district’s communications team (to run outreach and feedback sessions), help evaluating delivery methods (construction manager/general contractor versus design‑bid‑build), and preparing the empirical analyses necessary to support grant applications. Hardebec noted the firm also helps assemble required documents to pursue state TAP/seismic grants and the awesome match, which can be committed to the campaign before a bond sale.
Board members asked about costs and timing. Staff said an 11‑ to 18‑month runway is typical for a successful bond effort; district financial staff and Piper Sandler modeling were cited as indicating attractive market conditions for issuing bonds in 2027. Board members acknowledged the consultant fee was substantial but argued outside expertise is needed to marshal grants, run robust community engagement and produce defensible cost estimates.
The vote: Board members moved and seconded the professional services agreement; the motion passed on a recorded voice/hand vote (recorded in the meeting minutes as unanimous).
Next steps: consultants will work with district staff to complete a long‑range facilities plan and identify grant strategies and community outreach milestones. Staff said the district will continue to refine costs, phasing and a ballot strategy and return to the board with recommended bond language and a public engagement schedule.
