Sultan School Board votes 3–2 to put school bond on November ballot

The Sultan School District Board of Directors voted 3–2 on July 22 to place a facilities bond measure on the November 2024 ballot, advancing plans to address overcrowding and deferred maintenance.

Superintendent Dan Chaplick summarized the failed February measure — which received roughly 47 percent support — and outlined options for resubmitting a revised bond in November, February, April or waiting a year. "The issue does not go away," Chaplick said, adding that the district remains over capacity and needs additional classroom space and repairs. He told the board that bond proceeds pay for building projects, not staff pay, and pushed back on social-media misinformation that suggested otherwise.

Board members debated timing and outreach. Several trustees said recent surveys and community input were mixed and recommended a community-driven campaign to counter misinformation; others said the district's overcrowding and deferred-maintenance needs make a November measure urgent. A trustee noted that one building showed about a 21 percent increase in kindergarten pre-enrollment compared with prior years, underscoring capacity pressures.

The board approved a motion to run the bond in November 2024 by a 3–2 vote. The board asked local volunteers — identified as the Sky Valley Citizens for Schools group in meeting discussion — to lead on pro/con communications and fundraising outreach, and staff noted statutory posting and publication deadlines that accompany a November measure.

Chaplick and other board members emphasized next steps: refine cost estimates, finalize the ballot language, coordinate the required pro/con informational notices and partner with community volunteers to explain the needs to voters. The board did not adopt a revised project list during the meeting; trustees said the facilities committee will continue work to refine priorities and costs before final materials are posted for the election.