Facilities Planning
The Facilities Planning Committee was established in the fall of 2023 as an advisory to the superintendent to prepare recommendations to the Lynden School District Board of Directors toward a proposal for the next bond election.
The Facilities Planning Committee met with the board on January 26, 2023 for a work session to discuss the Facilities Planning Report that was prepared after a series of meetings took place. Those meetings included discussions regarding building conditions through a review of the most recent State Study and Survey. From that report, two facilities planning groups were created- a Bond Planning Task Force and a Long Range Facility Planning group.
Community Solutions Committee
Following two unsuccessful bond measures in 2024, the Lynden School District established the Community Solutions Committee (CSC) to provide a fresh perspective on facility needs and funding priorities. The CSC’s official charter included:
- Validating facility needs
- Identifying barriers to community consensus
- Recommending a prioritized scope for capital improvements
- Supporting transparency and fiscal responsibility throughout the process
The committee included local business owners, civic leaders, and residents—many of whom were not involved in prior bond development efforts. Their work was grounded in transparency, open dialogue, and shared responsibility to both students and taxpayers. After months of analysis and discussion, the CSC provided its recommendation to the Lynden School Board on Thursday, June 12. The group’s recommendation supports a bond proposal that is reduced in total cost compared to the original plans brought to voters in 2024. A copy of the group’s PowerPoint presentation from the board meeting can be viewed here.
The CSC recommends limiting the scope of the bond to include only the replacement of Lynden High School, citing it as the great need and the project most significantly impacted by cost escalations if delayed. The full CSC Summary Report can be accessed here. An audio recording of the group’s presentation and subsequent discussion with the school board can be listened to here. (2:27:00)
Bond Planning Task Force
As a result of the work done by the Facilities Planning Committee, a Bond Planning Task Force was created. An invitation to serve on this committee was sent to community members on March 13, 2023 with the objective of achieving representation of the diversity in our community. Through a series of meetings, the Bond Planning Task Force gained a full understanding of priorities and thoughtfully planned for capital spending to address current needs and those necessary to support continually improving educational practices and student services in Lynden School District. A summary of each meeting is posted below.
Following the conclusion of their work, the group presented the 2023 Bond Planning Task Force Report to the Board of Directors on August 10, 2023.
- June 13, 2023- Meeting Notes
- May 30, 2023- Meeting Notes
- May 2, 2023- Meeting Notes
- April 18, 2023- Meeting Notes
- March 28, 2023-Meeting Notes
Long Range Facilities Planning
A group of six community and staff members participated in a series of meetings starting at the beginning of 2023 with the intent to provide an inventory of current capital facilities and identify future school capital facility needs. Factors discussed and taken into consideration were student enrollment projections and building capacity in relation to facility needs. Following the completion of their work, the group presented a Long Range Facilities Plan to the Board of Directors on July 13, 2023. This document will be used as a working document to guide district decision-making and provide clarity on the need for funding of future facilities and maintenance of current facilities. The document will be reviewed annually and modified as needed to take into account any residential development that occurs, updated enrollment projections, and any unforeseen needs.
Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan
The City of Lynden and Whatcom County request that the District update its Capital Facilities Plan to allow each jurisdiction to adopt it by reference. The District’s Six-Year Capital Facilities Plan was approved and adopted by the board on March 6, 2025. This document serves as a guide for planning capital projects and determining the District’s eligibility of receiving school impact fees.
