In a decisive final vote, the Puyallup School District’s Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) concluded its work in recommending priority school improvement projects for the Puyallup School Board to consider for an upcoming bond measure. The committee, formed in response to growing student populations and aging facilities, dedicated several months to reviewing district needs based on more than five years of research. With unanimous agreement, the BAC will present its recommendation to the Puyallup School Board, focusing on strategic upgrades and new construction to enhance learning environments and alleviate overcrowding across the district.

Addressing Growth and Aging Facilities

The Puyallup School District faces ongoing challenges of rising enrollment and aging facilities, particularly in high-growth areas like North Hill and Sunrise. Despite previous efforts to expand and adapt school spaces, demand continues to outpace available space. The School Capacity and Utilization Task Force, a community-district partnership focused on maximizing space without the need for additional funding, first raised these concerns in June and called for the formation of the BAC to explore potential long-term solutions.

“We’ve seen exponential increases in student numbers, and it’s clear that many of our schools, especially in high-demand areas, won’t be able to accommodate these numbers without substantial upgrades or new construction,” explained Brady Martin, the district’s Director of Capital Projects and a key facilitator for the BAC.

The absence of an approved bond for over nine years has compounded these challenges, leaving some older buildings, such as Spinning and Waller Road Elementary, now at critical stages of deterioration and at risk of closure if funding is not secured.

Developing Bond Scenarios and Tax Implications

The BAC met five times over several months as members evaluated various project scenarios established by the 2021 Citizens Facility Advisory Committee and the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force. Members evaluated each scenario’s potential impact on student capacity and on taxpayers. In their fourth meeting, committee members participated in an exercise to select the most essential projects based on current needs and projected growth.

The BAC considered several options to fund the proposed projects, including an $800 million bond that would maintain the current tax rate through a capital levy rollback. This approach would address immediate needs funding without increasing the tax burden.

Greg Heath, a former school board director and current BAC member, pointed out the need to be sensitive to taxpayer concerns. “We are committed to balancing essential improvements with a reasonable tax impact. We have seen nearby districts, like Sumner-Bonney Lake, pass bonds by emphasizing minimal tax changes, which may be a model we consider.”

The tax implications of each bond scenario were carefully discussed. In reviewing an $800 million bond, the BAC concluded that a levy rollback could keep the tax rate steady at $4.14 per $1,000 of assessed property value for several years. This rate includes calculations that include both the operating and capital levies.

Prioritizing High-Impact Projects

The projects recommended by the BAC address a combination of capacity needs, aging school buildings, and essential facility and classroom upgrades. Priority was given to three core projects that had the highest support within the committee:

1. High School Capacity Addition – Adding space for 1,800 students at Emerald Ridge, Puyallup, and Rogers High Schools while relieving capacity issues and creating a more supportive environment for students and staff.
2. Spinning Elementary Replacement - Upgrading this elementary school’s facility, which has faced challenges due to its age and structural limitations.
3. Waller Road Elementary Replacement - Upgrading this elementary school’s facility, which has faced challenges due to its age and structural limitations.

The committee decided to defer plans for a full grade reconfiguration but acknowledged the importance of the community's feedback on the issue. They recognized that implementing all suggested changes is essential groundwork for future grade reconfiguration. This approach, they believe, allows the district to accomplish the necessary work required without increasing the tax rate. The work would move the district closer to potential future implementation of the community’s preferred 9-12 high school model.

While early scenarios considered reconfiguring grade levels across schools, the committee prioritized these key projects for now, addressing immediate needs in a more streamlined and fiscally responsible manner.

Scenario 1: Comprehensive HS Facility Upgrades, New Elementary Construction, Three Elementary Replacements

The Bond Advisory Committee voted 24 to 9 in favor of Scenario 1 as the preferred option for addressing critical needs in the Puyallup School District. This $800 million plan, with a tax rate of $4.14 over 21 years (2025–2046), focuses on alleviating capacity deficits, enhancing building conditions, and accommodating growth. The scenario includes seven main projects: additions to Emerald Ridge, Puyallup, and Rogers High Schools, replacements for Spinning, Waller Road, and Mt. View Elementary Schools, and construction of a new elementary school location. This plan leverages a $130 million levy rollback and a 10% bond contingency, with the potential of a $152.9 million state match collected upon nearing a project’s completion.

“Given the constraints, we believe this package addresses the highest priority needs across the district,” stated Brady Martin. “While not every project could be included, this proposal represents a balanced investment in schools across all regions.”

Scenario 6L: High School Additions, Two Elementary Replacements, One New Elementary

The Bond Advisory Committee selected Scenario 6L as a second option, garnering 7 out of a possible 33 votes. This plan includes a levy rollback of $130 million and a 10% contingency. Key projects include a classroom and program expansion at Puyallup High School while retaining the pool in a new gym facility; classroom additions at Emerald Ridge, Rogers, and Walker High Schools; a new 750-student elementary school to address projected growth; and replacements for Spinning and Waller Road Elementary Schools. The scenario anticipates a potential $162.4 million state match as projects near completion.

Scenario 6F: Expanded HS Campus Facilities, Spinning, Mt. View, and Waller Road Replacement

The Bond Advisory Committee selected Scenario 6F as a third option, with 2 out of 33 votes. This $800 million plan addresses critical building conditions, capacity needs, and program requirements while maintaining a $4.14 tax rate through 2046. Scenario 6F includes seven projects: major additions and new classroom buildings for Puyallup, Emerald Ridge, and Rogers High Schools; replacements for Spinning, Waller Road, and Mt. View Elementary Schools; and a new gym at Puyallup High School that retains the pool facility. The plan also includes a $130 million levy rollback, a 10% bond contingency, and the potential for a $166.5 million state match as projects near completion.

It is important to note that the district remains fully committed to completing all 906 voter-approved capital levy projects. These projects are a priority, and if levy funding is incorporated into the bond, the district will ensure that each project moves forward as planned. Combining levy funds with the bond would allow the district to access the necessary funding sooner, accelerating the timeline for these essential improvements while honoring the community’s commitment and trust in these projects.

Next Steps and Community Involvement

With the committee’s recommendation finalized, the Puyallup School Board will review the bond proposal at its upcoming study session on November 15, and the school board meeting on November 18. If approved by the board, a bond measure would be added to the February 2025 special election ballot, and the district will proceed with efforts to inform and engage the community, ensuring parents and stakeholders understand the scope and benefits of the proposed projects.

BAC members also highlighted the importance of clear communication, particularly about the project’s tax implications and the anticipated benefits for students.

“We’re hoping to maintain a steady tax rate while addressing urgent needs,” added Martin. “Our community deserves updated facilities that support student success.”

As Puyallup’s population continues to grow, addressing school capacity and facility conditions will remain a top priority for the district. The committee’s work represents a critical step toward ensuring that Puyallup’s students have safe, modern, and effective learning spaces. If approved, the bond will be a vital investment in the district’s future, creating a better environment for both current and future generations of students.

Watch the November 15^th study session to learn more about all three BAC proposals to the Puyallup School Board https://www.puyallupsd.org/about-us/school-board

• Learn more about past BAC meetings and presentations
• Review the Question of the Week survey summaries  
• Join us in person or watch the November 18 school board meeting online at https://www.puyallupsd.org/about-us/school-board
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