Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

At the April 10 Finance and Operations Committee meeting, committee members and administrators reviewed and discussed the status of renovations related to realignment and our “Update the Eight” elementary capital projects. We are moving forward with the renovations at our three high schools for realignment and the classroom addition at Mill Creek; however, we are pausing the “Update the Eight” work at this time. 

The pause impacts every one of the eight schools and is a thoughtful approach that reflects the district’s responsibility to analyze and respond to market trends and be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The bond market, which we rely on to finance construction, is currently experiencing significant instability. Proceeding with a large-scale borrowing under these conditions could lead to higher costs or financial strain on our communities. 

Broader economic conditions - ranging from inflation and material costs to the unpredictability of the federal funding landscape - present real challenges that must be considered. We are proud that our district has maintained a strong AA1 credit rating while many school districts across the country are facing credit downgrades. We expect our upcoming bond issue - a manageable $45 million for realignment and Mill Creek - to be well-received by investors. Preserving this position is critical for future capital projects and long-term financial stability. Pausing now also avoids the risk of starting projects that we may not be able to complete as planned, or that might require district-wide cuts to stay within budget. 

We want to be clear that the decision to pause the “Update the Eight” project is not a result of or related to the ongoing discussions we have been having regarding the futures of Doyle and Linden. We appreciate everyone who has offered their thoughts about these schools at our three town halls and through other venues. This valuable input will remain under consideration when we resume talks about “Update the Eight.” 

District administration and board members know this pause is likely disappointing news for staff and families in the eight schools identified for renovation, as well as the staff and community members who have been involved in advancing these projects. We value the time, planning, collaboration, and community engagement that has gone into the project to date. We are committed to addressing the facilities needs at these eight schools when the time is right and will continue to create the best educational experiences possible in our current school environments. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Sincerely, 

Steven M. Yanni, Ed.D. 
Superintendent 

This message was originally emailed to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ community on April 11, 2025.