A Future Bond?

To the Families & Staff of the Lynden School District-

In the months since last August, when the second bond proposal to replace Lynden High School and add permanent classroom space at two elementary schools did not pass, district leaders have worked to address the key issues shared by voters:

Reducing the cost and impact on property taxes
Reducing or reorganizing the project scope and size
Having a more detailed building plan before asking for funding

We have made substantial progress in all three areas and invite you to learn more at our next School Board Meeting on Thursday, June 12, at 6:30 PM held at the district offices located at 516 Main Street. There will be an opportunity to submit additional questions and provide feedback.

Our schools continue to operate with the lowest per-student expenditure cost of all Whatcom County schools by a significant margin. We have been, and continue to be, the most efficiently run school district in the county while also ranking at or near the top in most measures of school and student success including reading proficiency, math, science, attendance, and on-time graduation rates.

Here’s a summary of the things we’ve done since the bond measure:

Reduced Financial Burden on Taxpayers –

The district sought and secured a $1.03 million Clean Buildings Performance Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The grant is set to improve energy systems at Bernice Vossbeck Elementary School, removing the project from future bonds.
The School Board shifted $975,000 from general operating funds to complete major maintenance projects and playground improvements, removing them from future bond requests.
Existing bond debt was also refinanced, saving Lynden taxpayers approximately $1.34 million in property taxes.
The Board of Directors passed a resolution to collect school impact fees and is pursuing partnerships with the City of Lynden and Whatcom County with requests to begin collecting in January of 2026. These funds would be used to help offset the costs of future expansion; growth helping pay for growth and ultimately reducing the tax burden on current citizens.

Focusing the Scope and Prioritization of Projects – The School Board is actively evaluating whether to prioritize just the high school, focus on addressing the elementary capacity needs (where 16 portable classrooms remain in use), or developing a phased strategy that balances both while spreading the projects over multiple years. All options are being reviewed with community input and current economic realities in mind.

More Detailed Project Planning– The district conducted design and cost modeling, and project scoping to refine the high school replacement proposal. This process has identified potential cost reductions and helped clarify options for phased implementation. Lynden is a fiscally conservative community, and we are using professionals to help find areas where we can reduce costs while maintaining quality, address our safety and program needs, and ensure longevity of our public facilities.

These actions reflect our ongoing effort to be responsive, fiscally responsible, and transparent as we work with the community toward finding the best path forward. The Community Solutions Committee composed of citizens with business and project management backgrounds have been an important part of this effort. Meeting over a series of five work sessions, their review and analysis of our facilities, financial outlook, and educational priorities will be shared during the June 12 Board Workshop.

No decisions have been made. But decisions are coming—and they need your voice. Lynden is an exceptional community and its schools benefit all of us. They strengthen property values, attract families and businesses, and prepare the next generation of tradespeople, professionals, and community leaders. Your input matters. Please join us on June 12 or reach out directly. Together, we can shape a plan that reflects Lynden’s values and vision for the future.

With appreciation,

David VanderYacht
Superintendent, Lynden School District