The Blaine School Board unanimously voted to propose a capital bond for the February 2027 special election at its board meeting on Aug. 10.
Amy Zimmerman with Zervas Architects presented the board with two options at its Monday meeting for potential bond estimates, both focusing on the construction of a new middle school and varying in the extent of upgrades to Pipeline Athletic Complex. The board voted to propose the second, more expensive option which would cover greater upgrades to the fields.
The total bond amount would be $66.68 million including just over $3 million in funds from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction state match, meaning the ask from taxpayers would not exceed $63.36 million.
For a taxpayer who owns a $515,000 home, the bond would cost less than $20 per month.
This will be the district’s third attempt at passing a bond after failing to reach the state-required 60% supermajority vote in February and November 2024, both in the amount of $70 million.
The construction of a new middle school accounts for the largest part of the bond, estimated to total $42.6 million. This includes construction, demolition and temporary maintenance and facility structure costs.
The new middle school would be an east-west oriented building with 28 new classrooms. It would require demolition of the facilities and maintenance buildings and partial demolition of the gymnasium and existing middle school.
This plan offers more open space for supervision of students, more natural light and better circulation, which were all desired by the Citizen Facility Advisory Committee.
Part of the current middle school would need to be demolished to allow for a new fire lane and parking lot, but a portion of the building would remain and be repurposed. The Performing Arts Center and cafeteria would also remain intact.
Middle schoolers could remain in the existing middle school while the new one is constructed, causing minimal disruption to student learning.
The proposed bond would bring more substantial improvements to Pipeline Athletic Complex.
The largest expense would be installation of turf on the baseball and softball fields. While a larger upfront cost at $4.8 million, the long-term upkeep and maintenance costs would be much lower.
Other notable upgrades include lighting, storm subdrainage and a premanufactured restroom.
The condition of the fields currently leaves games vulnerable to rainouts, and the limited lighting makes them difficult to use after dark. If passed, the bond would extend the usability of the fields for Blaine students and could allow the district to generate revenue by renting the fields to outside groups or other schools.
Board member Bob Feaster moved to direct Superintendent Dan Chaplik to pursue the bond, seconded by board President Ryan Swinburnson. The motion passed unanimously, and more information is expected at future meetings.
