ISD Lowers Bond Amount While Prioritizing Safety and High School Capacity

Overview 

In response to community feedback, the School Board voted December 12 to revise its November bond proposal to focus on the district’s most immediate needs. The updated bond measure totals $231.6 million, which is a 63% reduction from the November measure. The new proposal will appear on the February 11 Special Election Ballot. 

"While 50% of voters said ‘yes’ to the November bond measure, it did not pass with the required 60% supermajority, and we heard the community through this democratic process.” Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick said. “This next proposal supports our greatest needs and there is no projected change to the current combined tax rate.” 

In addition to community input, an important part of passing a bond is improving trust through effective use of taxpayer dollars. Superintendent Tow-Yick added, “Since I started as your superintendent in July of 2022, I've worked with our team to increase the level of detail and access to information about capital projects progress and use of bond and levy funds, while adding more accountability for spending. We will continue to work on this.”  

What the Updated $231.6 Million Bond Funds 

• Safety and Security Projects - $39.9 million 
  Planned for all schools to ensure safe learning environments. 
  • Update fire systems and construct high school vestibules. 
  • Update security systems including cameras, intercoms, entry access and monitoring, anti-intruder windows, and gates/fencing. 

• High School Capacity - $191.7 million 
  Focused on addressing overcrowding at the high school level. 
  • Begin construction on the New High School, which is shovel ready. 
  • Expand and remodel Liberty High School to support career programming. 
     

Changes Based on Community Feedback 

• More Focus: Safety, security and high school capacity. 
• Reduced Costs: From $642.3 million to $231.6 million. 
• Tax Rate: The February bond is projected to maintain the total combined tax rate of $3.09 per $1,000 assessed property value. This includes current and projected levies. 

High School Overcrowding 

While our high school leaders, teachers and staff have been able to maintain a high-performing standard, operating over capacity presents difficult circumstances that cannot be sustained. Overcrowded high schools negatively impact many important areas – safety and security, class size, individualized support, behavior and social-emotional growth, space within the building footprint for teaching and learning, teacher preparation and professional development, and building systems and infrastructure performance, maintenance and cost.   

As has been shared, overcrowding has been an issue for some time at Issaquah and Skyline high schools. These schools are considered large among school districts across the state. Based on enrollment, Issaquah High is the fourth-largest high school, while Skyline High ranks as the 12th largest in Washington.  

Optimal capacity on high school campuses depends on several factors – layout and design of spaces, programming unique to student needs and staff expertise. However, if we look at the numbers alone for capacity and available space, our student enrollment at high school is not optimal.  Beyond classroom size, spaces like cafeterias, offices, common areas, storage, hallways, and stairwells often become bottlenecks, restricting movement for students and staff. The ISD Capital Facilities Plan provides permanent capacity recommendations for the main building (without portables) at 95%. All three high schools are operating above the 95% threshold and significantly higher than what is typically optimal. Below are optimal and designed permanent capacity data points that indicate these high schools continue to operate above designed enrollment capacities: 

• Issaquah High School: 10.4% (FTE) above permanent 95% capacity 
  • October Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 2,194  
• Skyline High School: 27.1% (FTE) above permanent 95% capacity
  • October Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 1,970 
• Liberty High School: 15% (FTE) above permanent 95% capacity
  • October Full-Time Equivalent Enrollment 1,288  

Historical Context 

Issaquah School District has been actively working with the community to build a new high school since 2016, when the community approved the initial bond. The community again showed their support in 2022 by approving a $44 million as part of a capital levy to go toward the new high school. Delays caused by external actions placed a greater burden on taxpayers, including costly unplanned legal and administrative costs, rezoning appeals and rising construction costs driven by increases in labor and materials. Despite challenges, the district remains committed to delivering on this important project.  

Since April 2016, the project has experienced land acquisition and use delays, as well as cost increases from the original estimate of $120 million. The district’s new administration and finance team thoroughly reviewed the project, addressed prior inaccuracies and worked with the auditor to confirm the resources necessary to keep the project moving forward. 

The total cost of the New High School project is currently estimated at $292.7 million. To date, the district has spent $20 million on land development, legal expenses and administrative fees, which include active permits allowing construction to begin immediately. The district has $134 million in previously approved funds reserved for construction. If approved, the February 2025 bond will provide the remaining $138.7 million needed to fund the project. The New High School construction permits, valid until April 2025, will expire if the February 2025 bond does not pass, requiring additional funds for future permitting fees. 

For additional historical information, please visit our Capital Projects webpage.  

Oversight Committee 

As directed and developed by the Superintendent, new Chief of Finance and Operations, along with the Capital Projects and Finance teams, facilities projects will be monitored by a Capital Projects Oversight Committee (previously referred to as the Bond Oversight Committee) to add and ensure accountability and transparency. The committee will consist of community members, parents/guardians, staff, financial experts, and construction and project management professionals. The Capital Projects Oversight Committee will review financial reports and share its findings publicly with the School Board and community and publish these reports on the district website. 

Contingency Plans (If February 11 Bond Does Not Pass) 

While planning for a potential bond passage, the School Board and Superintendent must also explore and prepare for all possible contingencies. During the December 12 School Board meeting, initial discussions occurred, but no official action has been taken on any proposed contingency plans. To support the district’s most immediate needs, board members are asking the district to explore alternative solutions to manage overcrowding at the high school level. Possible contingencies currently are: 

• Grade Reconfiguration: 
  • Elementary: kindergarten through sixth grade. 
  • Middle School (Junior High): seventh through ninth grades. 
  • High School: 10th through 12th grades. 
• Ninth Grade Relocation: Repurpose a middle school campus for ninth graders. 
• Boundary Redraw: Adjust school boundaries to balance enrollment. 
• Double-Shifting: Implement staggered start times for high school students. 

Community input is essential to address the high school overcrowding challenges. The School Board, superintendent and administration will continue to explore all options as responsible stewards of resources in the best interests of our students. 

Community Engagement 

District leaders are committed to ongoing communication, transparency and community outreach: 

• Community Meeting 
  Funding Our Schools Forum: A Community Conversation on Budgeting, Capital Projects and Oversight   

  • January 21, 2025: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.  
  • Cougar Mountain Middle School Library  
  • Hosted by Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick and Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Turney
      

• School Board Town Hall  

  • January 23, 2025: 7 p.m. - 8: 30 p.m.  
  • Administration Building Board Room (virtual option also available on Zoom). 
     

• Bond Information Webpage: A simplified version will launch soon. 

For more information about the bond and future engagement events, visit the district website. If you have questions about the bond, please email us at issaquahbond2025@issaquah.wednet.edu.