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Ballot question

Auburn School District Proposition 1: $491 million school construction bonds

On the ballot in
Auburn School District
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

The Board of Directors of Auburn School District No. 408 has approved Resolution No. 1426, concerning a proposition to finance construction of new and replacement schools. This proposition would authorize the District to provide funds to construct a new Middle School and replace Cascade Middle School and Alpac Elementary, to increase capacity and reduce class sizes, modernize technology and learning environments, improve safety and security, and renovate playfields for student and community use, by issuing up to $491,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, and levying annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, as the resolution provides. Should this proposition be:

A “Yes” vote means

The district may issue up to $491 million in 20-year bonds, repaid by property taxes, to build a new middle school and replace Cascade Middle School and Alpac Elementary.

A “No” vote means

The district does not issue the bonds or levy the property taxes to repay them.

Official plain English statement

Passage of Proposition 1 enables Auburn School District to finance the construction of new and replacement schools by issuing up to $491,000,000 of general obligation bonds. If voters approve this proposition, the District will use the bond proceeds to (1) construct and equip a new Middle School #5, (2) construct and equip a new middle school with enlarged capacity to replace Cascade Middle School, and (3) construct and equip a new elementary school with enlarged capacity to replace Alpac Elementary School. These projects will increase school capacity, reduce class sizes and the use of portable classrooms, improve safety and security, modernize technology and student learning environments, improve energy efficiency, and improve and expand playfields and athletic facilities for student and community use. If voters approve this proposition, the District expects to receive approximately $36,248,500 in construction assistance funds from the State to complete these projects. The bonds will mature within 20 years and be repaid from annual excess property tax levies. The District’s website at www.auburn.wednet.edu/2026election has the anticipated tax impact associated with this bond. A property tax exemption may be available to senior or disabled homeowners who meet specified income limits. For information regarding exemptions, call the King County Assessor at (206) 296-3920. For questions about this measure, contact: Cindi Blansfield, Associate Superintendent, (253) 931-4930, [email protected]

Also on the ballot in Pierce County.

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.