Lynden School Board Receives Community Solutions Committee Bond Recommendations 

After months of analysis and discussion, the citizen-led Community Solutions Committee (CSC) provided its recommendations 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. 

The CSC and a more detailed design and cost analysis are part of the district’s efforts to reduce the tax burden on residents which have included obtaining an energy grant, restructuring current debt repayment, transferring major maintenance projects to general fund expenditures, and pursuing collection of school impact fees to help offset costs of future expansion. 

The Community Solutions Committee recommends limiting the scope of the bond to include only the replacement of Lynden High School, citing it as the greatest need and the project most significantly impacted by cost escalations if delayed. 

The group was tasked with assisting the Lynden School District in prioritizing projects in response to voter feedback to:

  • Reduce cost impact on taxpayers
  • Prioritize needs to reorganize the scope of projects 
  • Develop more detailed project plans prior to returning to voters

Key takeaways from the Community Solutions Committee (CSC):

  • The group supports a simplified, high school-only bond to address the most urgent needs in terms of facility condition and permanent instructional space. This removes the expansion of two elementary schools from the proposal reducing the cost by an estimated $35 million.
  • With each year of delay adding an estimated 5% in project costs, the CSC recommends prioritizing the facility with the highest need and greatest cost: Lynden High School. 
  • The recommendation includes a properly designed and expanded space for music and theater instruction but further engagement with the community is recommended to determine whether a public performance space is included within the scope of the project. 
  • The recommendation to replace Lynden High School includes cost estimates based on more advanced design and construction phasing plans than the conceptual drawings used in previous bond proposals. 
  • The full project cost after applying eligible state funding is estimated at just over $113 million. Inclusion of a community performing arts space would increase the proposal by an estimated $16 million. 

The full CSC Summary Report can be accessed at this link. An audio recording of the group’s presentation and subsequent discussion with Lynden School Board can be listened to here (2:27:00).

The Lynden School Board is now reviewing the CSC’s recommendation and evaluating next steps for placing a bond measure before voters—potentially as early as November 2025. Further discussion will take place at the next board meeting scheduled for July 17, 2025, at 6:30pm at 516 Main Street, Lynden, WA, 98264. Community engagement is welcomed and encouraged. We will also be scheduling additional public Q&A sessions with dates and locations to be announced.