Trying again. Everett schools eye a $317M bond in 2020

It contains no money for a high school but would replace three of the district’s oldest elementaries.

EVERETT — Three aging elementary schools would be torn down and replaced.

Thirty-six new elementary classrooms would be constructed.

And the three-story vocational building at Everett High School would get an extreme modern makeover for the medical and health career pathway program.

Those are among the marquee items included in a $317.4 million bond measure the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors may place on the ballot next April.

On Tuesday, the board will consider projects recommended for bond funding put forth by a community advisory committee. The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. at district headquarters at 3900 Broadway.

On Oct. 8, the board is expected to act to put a measure on the ballot. At that time, directors would make final decisions on which projects to pursue.

One undertaking not in the package: a new high school. The pricey centerpiece of the district’s failed 2018 bond measure didn’t make the cut from the 25-citizen Capital Bond Planning Committee.

It did start atop the list of priorities, said Mike Gunn, the district’s executive director of facilities and planning, who attended committee meetings.

Views evolved and events changed in the course of the nine months members spent developing recommendations.

They visited schools and saw firsthand the condition of aging facilities. In May, when directors redrew high school boundaries to ease overcrowding at Jackson High School, committee members took construction of a fourth high school off the to-do list.

Removing it — and it’s roughly $220 million price tag — made it possible for the panel “to do a lot of other work,” he said.

“This bond proposal is going to do a lot more at many school locations than the 2018 measure,” Gunn said. That was a $330.6 million bond, some $13 million more than what’s now under discussion.

Gunn, who will be presenting the recommendations Tuesday, said that the proposed bond, if passed, would not increase the tax rate paid by property owners.

A major element this time around is tearing down three elementary schools — Madison, Jackson and Lowell. Each would be replaced with new two-story buildings on the same property. Each school would serve the same number of students as they do now. Combined, this work accounts for about $165 million of the bond receipts.

“We’re not building these replacements to accommodate more students,” Gunn said. “The need is really driven because the buildings don’t meet today’s standards and educational needs. They are in poor enough condition that we need to start over.”

The committee is recommending $45.5 million in improvements at Everett High School that were also pursued in 2018.

There’s $17.9 million for retooling the three-story vocational building into the home for the district’s career pathway program focused on medical and health careers. Another $27.6 million is listed for redoing the cafeteria building to renovate the kitchen on the third floor as well as classrooms on the lower floors. There’s also money for a partial renovation of the science building.

Other big pieces include:

$33.8 million for the addition of 36 elementary classrooms spread among eight campuses. This had been part of the 2018 bond proposal.

$17.8 million for modernizing the Cascade High School science building to house a career pathway program for aerospace and advance manufacturing.

$4 million to outfit several classrooms at Jackson High School with high-end computers and audio-visual equipment. This will be for the district’s career pathway program in information and communication technology. This along with the Cascade High project were part of the 2018 bond proposal.

$2.1 million for new playground equipment at Silver Lake, Madison, Penny Creek, Garfield, Jackson, Lowell, Mill Creek, and Emerson elementary schools.

$2.4 million to replace the synthetic turf and track at Memorial Stadium.

$1.7 million to completely redo the drainage for the Cascade High School softball field and to make other improvements including construction of new covered dugouts.

The full slate of recommendations can be found on the school district website.

The committee delivered them to district administrators in June and discussed them at a school board workshop in August.

There is one issue the committee left in the hands of the school board: whether to build a brand new elementary in the south end. The committee was evenly divided. Adding it would push the total amount of the bond to around $383 million.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council approves budget amendment for staffing, stadium funding

The amendment budgets for some new employees and costs for the city’s multipurpose stadium project.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

A damaged vehicle is seen in the aftermath of a June 2024 crash in Thurston County, in which the driver of another vehicle was suspected of speeding and driving under the influence. (Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff Office)
Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders

The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday attempting to stop habitual speeders… Continue reading

A student walks down a hallway at Evergreen Middle School past a sign displaying different values the students should embody while occupying the space on a 2024 school day in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education

The House passed a Senate bill that ditches a cap on the flow of state dollars to school districts.

Adopt A Stream invites volunteers to plant trees along Quilceda Creek

The Tulalip Tribes and the Adopt A Stream Foundation will… Continue reading

Snohomish County Council member offers new proposal for habitat ordinance

Jared Mead wrote an amendment as an attempt to balance environmental concerns and housing needs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.