2024 Bond
Notice
Lake Stevens School District is seeking applications from residents of the District interested in being appointed to committees to write the for/against statements for the Snohomish County Local Voters’ Pamphlet related to the District’s bond ballot measure to be considered at the Feb. 11, 2025 election.
Interested residents should send their name, address, email address, phone number and committee name (or which position they represent) to: Teresa Main, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Lake Stevens School District, 12309 22nd Street N.E., Lake Stevens, WA 98258-9500 or via email at teresa_main@lkstevens.wednet.edu by Dec. 9, 2024. The Board will take action on the appointments at its Dec. 11, 2024 regular board meeting. Contact information for individuals appointed by the Board may be listed in the local voters’ pamphlet.
For more information, please reference the Snohomish County "Local Voters’ Pamphlet Administrative Rules."
Bond survey summary, next steps
Our November school construction bond fell short of the 60 percent threshold required for approval. We sincerely thank the more than 15,200 residents who voted in favor of the bond!
As part of our commitment to community engagement, we conducted a post-election survey to gather feedback and insights to help our Board of Directors as they work to determine the path forward. Here is a summary of the responses we received, along with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions and shared concerns that surfaced in the survey.
We appreciate your engagement and look forward to continuing our collaboration as we move forward together.
Survey by the numbers
1,948 complete responses
2,741 partial responses
2,410 respondents voted in the General Election
2,190 completed a vote on the bond (Proposition 1)
- The majority of respondents received their information through school or district newsletters or emails, followed by the district website, social media, and word of mouth communication.
- 91% of respondents felt the communication they received was clear and easy to understand.
- Respondents were most informed about the needs of the schools on the bond project list and least informed about the district’s record of paying bonds off on time and under budget.
Summary of Feedback
Responses reflect a variety of influences on voting decisions, including:
- Concerns about school improvements, safety, overcrowding and property taxes
- Importance of investing in the future of our children and community
- Concerns about the current use of taxpayer funds and transparency
- Economic burdens
- A desire for safe, modern and well-equipped schools was a common theme
- Belief in the critical role education plays in community development
Please scroll down to review FAQs that provide more information on these topics.
Next Steps
The Board of Directors received a preliminary post-election update and survey report during its Nov. 13, 2024 meeting. The board recognizes that the needs identified in the bond remain critical to supporting our students, staff and schools. However, they also understand the importance of taking time to pause and listen to feedback. By better understanding the needs and priorities of our community, district leaders can ensure that our next steps reflect a shared vision for the future of our schools.
Board work sessions
On Nov. 18, the Lake Stevens School District Board of Directors held a work session to address several critical topics:
- Review of final survey results: the board examined the outcomes of recent surveys to gather community feedback on district initiatives and priorities.
- Facilities needs advisory committee recommendations: they evaluated suggestions from the facilities needs advisory committee concerning the district's infrastructure requirements.
- Discussion on safety and growth: the session included deliberations on enhancing safety measures and strategies to manage current and anticipated student population growth.
- Impact of economic conditions on bond financial planning: the board considered how changing economic factors might influence the district's financial strategies for future bonds.
- Potential next steps, including re-running the bond (proposition 1): they explored possible actions, such as reintroducing proposition 1, a school construction bond that was previously placed on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot.
The board has another work session scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Educational Services Center. It will also be offered on Zoom.
For more detailed information, please refer to the meeting agendas and minutes page.
Considerations for future bonds
School district bonds can be presented to voters up to two times per calendar year. In 2025, elections will be held in Washington state in February, April, August and November.
For a bond measure to pass, it requires a 60% “yes” vote (a supermajority) and must also meet validation requirements. Validation means that at least 40% of the voters who participated in the November 2024 General Election must vote in the 2025 election for the results to count. Given the high voter turnout in November 2024, it will be essential for everyone to participate in any future 2025 bond elections to ensure the district meets validation requirements.
Questions and concerns addressed in the survey
- Why did the district propose this bond when family budgets are tight?
- Why don’t Glenwood and Skyline Elementary Schools have doors? Were they removed? Can doors be added? How do you ensure student and staff safety?
- Why is the district asking for more taxes? Didn’t voters just approve a bond in 2022? You should be more transparent with spending.
- What is the Lake Stevens School District doing to address growth and overcrowding? Why didn’t the district plan for the growth in our community?
- Do developers contribute to funding new schools?
- Why do students who live in Marysville attend Lake Stevens schools?
- How does the design of Lake Stevens High School benefit students and the community?
- When will Cavelero Mid High School become a second high school?
- Why wasn’t North Lake Middle School included in the bond?
- Why is the proposed new elementary school so close to Stevens Creek?
Why did the district propose this bond when family budgets are tight?
Why don’t Glenwood and Skyline Elementary Schools have doors? Were they removed? Can doors be added? How do you ensure student and staff safety?
Why is the district asking for more taxes? Didn’t voters just approve a bond in 2022? You should be more transparent with spending.
What is the Lake Stevens School District doing to address growth and overcrowding? Why didn’t the district plan for the growth in our community?
Do developers contribute to funding new schools?
Why do students who live in Marysville attend Lake Stevens schools?
How does the design of Lake Stevens High School benefit students and the community?
When will Cavelero Mid High School become a second high school?
Why wasn’t North Lake Middle School included in the bond?
Why is the proposed new elementary school so close to Stevens Creek?
Other considerations
- I don’t have children in the Lake Stevens School District. Why is this important to me?
- I’m concerned about the curriculum taught in schools, so I voted no.
- Why were athletic field improvements included in the bond package?