This new school bond will raise my assessment by $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed value. Why such a large increase in our school bond taxes?

The estimated levy rate increase is derived from the total cost of work included in the final bond package. That is, in order to raise $619.7 million through a 20-year general obligation bond, the current levy rate would need to increase by an estimated $1.24 per $1,000 of assessed value. Community polling indicated support for a property tax increase between $1.51 and $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. For this reason, we understand your question to be, “How did the School Board arrive at the final bond package total?” The Bond History page provides a summary of how the bond package was developed. In short, the School Board directed district staff to create a package that addresses as many facility needs as possible, to incorporate the feedback heard in a community phone survey and keep the package total under $620 million.