HILLSBORO, Ore. — At its regular session meeting on Tuesday, May 26, Hillsboro School Board members voted unanimously to place the Hillsboro School District’s (HSD) $430 capital construction bond on the November 2026 ballot.

The approved bond program��contains��projects for every school and district building across six broad project areas: buildings and systems, safety and security, Career and College Pathways, Extracurriculars, technology and cybersecurity, and support services.��

If successful in November, the bond would allow HSD to address aging infrastructure like roofs and HVAC systems, modernize educational settings that engage and prepare students, improve and expand extracurricular spaces like lighted turf fields for year-round student and community use, and enhance safety and security districtwide, among many other priorities.����

Capital construction bonds like this one are the only mechanism school districts have for making significant investments in systems and structures. The State School Fund dollars��allocated��to districts each year are��really only��meant to fund daily operations (primarily staff-related costs) and incidental maintenance and repairs.��

By the fall of 2026, taxpayers will have paid off some of HSD’s��previous��bonds. This creates an opportunity to fill in the gap with a new bond to generate capital investment money for district projects, while keeping the current tax rate consistent. HSD estimates a repayment rate of��approximately $1.84��per $1000 of assessed property value, which is 18 cents per thousand less than the��average of��rates paid since the passage of the district’s��previous��bond in 2017.����

Wherever possible, the district will seek opportunities to��leverage��partnerships, incentives, and grants to maximize our bond dollars and make them go further, highlighting HSD’s commitment to good stewardship of the community’s investment.��

In a 2019 bond,��the district invested heavily in safety and security upgrades at all schools, including��Seismic and roofing upgrades, Playground��upgrades��and Parent/bus drop-off improvements. The bond also supported extensive renovation and repair efforts at the district’s aging schools, focused on��HVAC,��plumbing��and electrical upgrades; remodeling projects; and the replacement of 15 temporary portable classrooms. Efforts to relieve crowded classrooms and plan for growth included the construction of separate gymnasiums at elementary schools that currently share gym and cafeteria space��as well as the expansion of Evergreen Middle School and Glencoe High School��and the construction of one new elementary school in North Plains, one new elementary school in South Hillsboro, and replacement of Brookwood Elementary School. The bond also extended to��new technology, flexible classroom��furniture��and the expansion of career and technical education spaces at all��district��high schools.����

The district has implemented an����of all proposed projects.��

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By Petra��Sucher��

SchoolBondFinder��specializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation. The platform monitors school district bond initiatives across key stages, providing stakeholders with crucial data on project scope, financing, and voter outcomes. In March,��SchoolBondFinder��shared first-quarter updates and referendum insights for the 2025 and��2026 election��cycles.��

The research team is actively updating��the platform with the latest election results with a “boots on the ground” approach. Most updates for referendum votes are reflected within 24 to��72 hours��of��passage.����

Read more for��an in-depth look at April and May results, highlighting essential insights for the 2026 K-12 bond market.��

An Overview of April Elections��

For��April��a majority of elections occurred on April 7.��Approximately��80%��of the bonds (120 out of 150) passed,��whereas��30��failed. The total value for both passed and failed bonds amounts to��$4B.����Most��districts focused on infrastructure and safety. Missouri and Oklahoma were the most active states this month. Missouri had��64��bonds��and Oklahoma had��39��bonds.����

Key Districts:��

Wayzata, Minn.��($450,000,000):��

• Scope:��New construction of a��public��elementary��school and a middle school,��as��well��as��classroom and lab additions at the high school,��kitchen��and cafeteria��expansions,��and gymnasium additions.��
• Status:��Passed��

Tulsa, Okla.��($276,000,000):��

• Scope:��Extensive renovations��to an existing public school,��including new classrooms, kitchens, ADA compliance upgrades, HVAC��systems��and roofing across multiple sites.��
• Status:��Passed��

Howard-Suamico, Wis.��(147,000,000)��

• Scope:��New classroom additions and gymnasiums at three elementary schools,��plus Career and Technical Education��labs and��performing-arts��spaces at the high school.��
• Status:��Passed

Dallas Independent School District Passes $6.2 Billion in Bonds ��

On May 2, voters approved��92��of��118��propositions for a passage rate of��78%, which is consistent with national trends. Many Texas school districts had multiple propositions on the ballot. In Texas 10 out of 26 failed, most having to do with athletic propositions.��

Dallas��Independent School District��passed��its��bond package worth��$6.2 billion, the��largest in Texas history.��Proposition A��will fund new construction to replace 26 schools and��expand��existing schools, adding classrooms to��eliminate��portables.��It will also��fund efforts to:��

• Renovate��and modernize every campus across the district��

• Remove the district’s 700 remaining portable classrooms��

• Enhance safety and security at all campuses��

• Upgrade school furniture, student technology, and transportation, including new school buses��

• Improve physical education facilities and repair swimming pools��

The bond package��will be broken up into��four propositions to ensure transparency and flexibility. This bond package will leave a generational mark not just for the funding amount, but for the scope of the��project.��

Movement in Michigan,��Ohio��and Montana��

There were��79��propositions on the ballot for May 5, most in��Michigan, Ohio, and Montana with a mix of bonds and levies. For reference,��a school bond election is a bond issue used by a public school district, typically to finance a building project or other capital project. These measures are placed on the ballot by district school boards to be approved or defeated by the voting public or taxing authority.��A��levy is a short-term, local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue for the district to fund programs and services that the state does not fund. Levies are used mostly for operational expenditures.����

In total,��43��propositions with a value of��$2��billion��passed��on May 5,��whereas��36��propositions worth��$1.6��billion��failed. The number of bonds passed��represents��a passage rate of just 54%, lagging historic national trends.����

A recent trend��observed��by��SchoolBondFinder��researchers this year involves districts requesting earned income tax levies to fund construction projects,��either by itself or combined with another funding source like a bond.��Researchers��typically see this for operating levies, but districts in the State of Ohio asking for this to accommodate their construction needs is new.��Districts may��attempt��to attract older voters by��utilizing��earned income tax levies, as these measures do not��impact��that demographic in the same way increasing property taxes do.��There were three earned income tax levies on the ballot this month in��Ohio��and all three failed.��

Other May Bond Decisions��

Voters considered��16��total propositions during this election cycle, resulting in��six��passing and��10��failing.��Bonds were approved in Mississippi, Massachusetts, Nebraska (2 districts),��Minnesota��and West Virginia. With most of the propositions focused on new construction.��

• Passed Amount: Totaling $498,285,000��
• Failed Amount: Totaling $342,648,950��

There��were��a total of��127��propositions that went to vote��on May 19. Of those,��113��passed for��a passage rate of��88%. The majority of those on the ballot occurred in New York.��A total of��94��bonds��passed, totaling over��$1��billion��in New York.��

Factors Influencing District Priority Shifts��

In addition to the well-known challenges of declining enrollment and district operational difficulties, several other factors are at play��school consolidations,��expiration��of Cares Act funding, voter resistance to specific measures��and a��downward trend in birth rates.��These changes suggest districts may be pivoting priorities to better serve local needs and moving away from projects fueled by federal programs.����

Key Focus Areas for Passed Bonds��

Despite these challenges, passed bonds are still showing��strong support��for key focus areas, such as specialty areas,��HVAC systems, athletic facilities, instructional spaces, and electrical��and��lighting upgrades.

SchoolBondFinder��is��currently tracking roughly��$49��billion��of opportunities, with many of��the organization’s��Watchlist items having no money attached yet.��Researchers��are tracking��more than��1,726��bonds as of May 22.��Elections��in June and August are around the corner and will be featured alongside��the��2026 Q2 updates and researcher insights��this summer.

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager for .

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• Southbury and Middlebury voters backed Region 15’s $95.6 million 2026-27 operating budget at the May 6 referendum, according to posted unofficial results.��
• Voters also approved $224 million in bonding to replace��Gainfield��and Pomperaug elementary schools; the bond question passed overall even though Middlebury voters opposed it locally.��
• District materials say the plan is to build new PK–5 schools on the existing sites, keep students in their current buildings until the replacements are ready, and add dedicated preschool space while upgrading safety,��accessibility��and traffic circulation.��

SOUTHBURY, MIDDLEBURY, Conn. — Voters in Southbury and Middlebury approved Region 15’s $95.6 million operating budget for fiscal 2026-27 and authorized $224 million in school construction bonding to replace the district’s two oldest elementary buildings, according to referendum results released after the May 6 vote.����

The bond would support replacement buildings for��Gainfield��Elementary School and Pomperaug Elementary School, with the district planning to pursue state school construction grants that could significantly reduce the local share of eligible project costs.��

Unofficial results posted by the Town of Southbury show the Region 15 school budget passed 2,679-1,618 overall (Southbury: 2,048-1,059; Middlebury: 631-559). The construction financing question passed 2,474-1,820 overall, with Southbury approving 1,935-1,172 and Middlebury voting against the question 539-648, according to��.��

The Stamford Advocate reported the adopted budget totals $95.6 million, a $4.86 million (5.4%) increase over the current $90.78 million plan. The same report said the $224 million bond package would fund replacement schools on each existing site, with plans calling for larger buildings designed to serve about 550 students per school and include prekindergarten space, according to��.��

District project materials describe��Gainfield’s��original sections as dating to 1941 and Pomperaug opening in 1967, noting both facilities have aging infrastructure and systems nearing the end of their useful life. “many��of our systems and spaces are significantly aged, flawed, functioning unreliably, or��become��obsolete,” according to��.��

Region 15’s facilities materials say new construction — rather than renovation — was selected after feasibility work evaluated both approaches. The FAQ says early estimates compared roughly $80 million for renovation to about $86 million for new construction, but renovation would add significant costs and complications, including temporary swing space estimated at about $12 million and a longer timeline that could increase escalation costs, according to .����

On design and operations, the district says replacement buildings would address code and safety upgrades that older schools are exempt from because of their��age, and��improve circulation and traffic safety. The “Key Project 91��Ƶ” page says the new layouts would funnel visitors from the main entrance to the front office for screening and bring the schools up to current fire and energy codes (including sprinklers and updated HVAC), while expanding parking and dedicated bus lanes, according to��.��

Project scope materials also cite improved traffic circulation at both campuses, including altered traffic patterns and a new access road intended to reduce congestion near Main Street and Poverty Road in Southbury. Region 15 further says the proposal is designed to keep schools��operating��throughout construction by allowing the district to occupy the existing buildings until the new schools are complete and ready for occupancy, according to��.��

Programming elements highlighted by the district include adding dedicated preschool classrooms and replacing makeshift instructional spaces (such as interventions held in closets or hallways) with purpose-built rooms and small-group areas, according to��.��

In its March 30 Board of Education newsletter, Region 15 said it sought voter approval in May to��submit��a school construction grant application by the state’s June 30 deadline. The newsletter also estimated total construction costs at about $224 million and��anticipated��roughly 64.2%��reimbursement of eligible costs under current assumptions, with a projected $80 million to $90 million local borrowing need, according to��.��

Before the May 6 vote, Region 15 said the Connecticut General Assembly approved a space waiver intended to support the district’s eligibility for its expected reimbursement rate while allowing some flexibility in shared spaces. “This legislation allows us to thoughtfully plan school spaces that meet student needs while also providing areas that can serve the wider community,” according to��.��

As the district moves toward a state funding application, Superintendent Joshua Smith described near-term steps, including governance and procurement work. “We will also begin the work of identifying building committees, grant application approvals and releasing a request for project proposals that will select an architectural firm for the design phase of the project,” according to��.��

The Stamford Advocate reported Smith hopes construction will begin in 2028 and that the new schools could be completed by 2030, subject to��state��grant approvals and other preconstruction steps, according to��.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by the Stamford Advocate, official materials posted by the Town of Southbury and Pomperaug Regional School District 15, and Region 15’s facilities project website in 2026. ()��

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As school districts nationwide grapple with aging infrastructure, evolving educational models and heightened community expectations, K-12 bond measures have become a critical mechanism for funding transformation. Beyond simple capital campaigns, these referendums reflect shifting priorities around safety,��flexibility��and long-term facility performance.����

Recognizing the critical value of connecting readers with bond- and referendum-related insights, 91��Ƶ is proud to announce a new partnership with����that will bring��SchoolBondFinder’s��expertise��and capital project bond insights to 91��Ƶ readers.��SchoolBondFinder��provides a data-driven lens into how districts are planning,��proposing��and delivering projects—offering��stakeholders��a clearer view of where investment is occurring and how those decisions are shaping the future of learning environments.��

The School Bond Finder K-12 Bond Platform����

SchoolBondFinder��specializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation. Our platform monitors school district bond initiatives across key stages, providing stakeholders with crucial data on project scope, financing, and voter outcomes.��

• Watch List:��Districts may be added to this list following initial activities such as a facilities study, demographic study, capital improvement plans review, or a feasibility survey.��
• Proposed List: A bond is moved to this list once a school board officially approves a referendum for a vote.��At this point, the vote date, official ballot language, use, and amount are��finalized.��
• Passed/Failed List:��Updates on school bond referendum votes—both��passed��and��failed—are typically available on our platform within 24 to��72 hours��of the official results being released.��

A Recap of 2025 Bonds��

As the first quarter of 2026 wraps��up��it is important to look back at 2025 for reference. In 2025��SchoolBondFinder��tracked��$91��Billion worth of bonds. Approximately��$69.2��billion��passed,��whereas��$22.7��billion��failed. The overall passage rate for 2025 was��75%, which aligns with the trend��observed��over the last few years. Our research team tracks school bond activity nationwide, with the highest total bond amounts recorded in Texas ($18.4 billion), California ($6.1 billion), Ohio ($3.5 billion), Washington ($3.4 billion), and Pennsylvania ($3.0 billion) in 2025.��

Historic Trends��

The chart below illustrates spending amounts for both passed and failed referendums over the past eight years. Election years typically show an increase in both the number and total value of bonds proposed, a��trend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.��

An eight-year longitudinal analysis (2018–2025) highlights consistent trends in K-12 bond funding, offering insight into evolving educational priorities. During this period, bond measures most��frequently��supported the following project areas:��

• Speciality��Areas����
• Instructional Areas��
• Athletic Facilities��
• HVAC��SystemsElectrical��and Lighting Upgrades��
• Electrical / Lighting Upgrades��

Given that most instructional buildings were built before the 1970s, it is no surprise that infrastructure upgrades are a top priority for school districts. Capital improvements continue to be focused on modernizing student learning environments. These spaces include classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and specialized facilities. The goal is student-centered learning, achieved through flexible environments that incorporate mobile furniture, integrated technology, and versatile layouts.��

2026 Year to Date – First Quarter��

As of March 2026, approximately��$6��billion��in K–12 bonds have been approved.��Roughly��267��bond measures were tracked in the first quarter, resulting in a��70%��passage rate. Approved bonds were concentrated primarily in specialty areas (ie��cafeterias, sensory rooms, admin spaces), HVAC systems, and instructional spaces. The top three states (WA, KS, and IL) account for about��66%��of the total bond amount passed in Q1.����

2026 Bond Priorities��

The��SchoolBondFinder��database is currently tracking a total of��1,478��bonds scheduled for 2026 and beyond, as of March. Approximately��117��bonds are scheduled to go to vote throughout��the month of April, with more elections scheduled in May and June. The combined Proposed and Watch List bonds��represent��approximately��$56 billion��in potential opportunity.����

K-12 School bonds are currently prioritizing construction, capital improvements, technology upgrades, and security enhancements. Many districts are��seeking��smaller, more targeted amounts for referendums, which may be more appealing to taxpayers and could be a more achievable strategy compared to large, multimillion-dollar bonds.��

• Facility Longevity and Maintenance: There is a growing focus on facility longevity and maintenance over expansion. Renovation and repair projects are the most frequent, while new construction and major system/envelope upgrades��represent��higher-value contracts.��
• Student-Centric Modernization:��A significant portion��of bond funding targets modernization and expansion of areas directly��impacting��student learning and extracurricular activities. This includes projects focused on flexible learning spaces, modern classrooms, and auditorium renovations, showing a high demand for multi-purpose furniture solutions.��
• Infrastructure and Safety: Basic infrastructure��remains��a consistent priority. Projects related to safety/security and system/building envelope upgrades, such as HVAC replacement, roof repairs, and��security��show a commitment to the health, safety, and long-term goals of school facilities.��

More Info and Insights to Come��

Looking ahead, the trajectory of K-12 bond funding��suggests a more strategic, targeted approach to capital investment—one that balances fiscal realities with the urgent need to modernize facilities. As districts continue to prioritize infrastructure resilience, student-centered design and operational efficiency, access to��timely, reliable data will remain essential. Platforms like��SchoolBondFinder��are critical resources for A/E/C stakeholders,��providing��the in-depth insights necessary for better decision-making and efficient��utilization��of K-12 funding opportunities.��

Watch for quarterly insights from��SchoolBondFinder��to learn more about upcoming opportunities.��

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager with��.��

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SACRAMENTO—Following a statewide measure on March’s primary ballot, California voters have rejected a $15 billion bond to renovate the state’s aging schools.

According to a report by , Prop 13 promised to provide funds for new construction and repairs at campuses dealing with problems like leaky roofs, old wiring and toxic mold. It needed a simple majority to pass. But the “no” votes had a comfortable lead immediately after the March 3 election and only tightened slightly as several million additional ballots were counted.

According a statement from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, “Opponents said California has a large budget surplus and shouldn’t borrow more money. Taxpayers would have owed an estimated $11 billion in interest over the next 35 years as a result of Prop. 13.”

Republican state Sen. Brian Jones said voters “rightly wondered why the state was trying to pass more bonds and hike taxes rather than using those budget surpluses to help schools?”

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association led the opposition, which took particular issue with a provision that would have increased the limit on what a local school district could borrow, from 1.25% to 2% of assessed property value. The group feared that could have led to future tax increases to pay back the debt and said that the state should fund school facilities itself rather than adding to school districts’ debt.

California Governor Gavin Newsom—a supporter of this proposition— argued that the need for school repairs was crucial. The proposal was backed by teachers and firefighter unions, school boards and Democratic state lawmakers.

According to a report by the Public Policy Institute of California, 70% of California’s 10,000 public schools are 25 years or older, with 10% of them at least 70 years old.

Approximately $9 billion from the measure would have gone to K-12 schools, with priority given to addressing health and safety concerns such as removing asbestos and eliminating lead from drinking water.

Of that, $5.8 billion would have went toward improving school facilities; $2.8 billion for new construction; and $500 million each for charter schools and facilities for technical education.

According to local media, this proposition also would have allocated $6 billion for higher education, which last benefited from a statewide bond measure in 2006. The funding would have been split evenly, with $2 billion each for community colleges, the California State University system and the University of California system.

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“Rhode Island College is proud to be part of this historic collaboration between the public and private sectors,” Rhode Island College President Dr. Nancy Carriuolo said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “…The Rhode Island Nursing Education Center, will help our state grow the educated workforce it needs to meet the changing needs of its number-one industry sector: health care."

The project will renovate and repurpose the vacant and abandoned South Street Power Station on Providence’s Eddy Street. This point in particular inspired Mayor Angel Taveras to refer to the project as a “transformational moment” for the state’s economy, according to the . The project is also expected to create up to 500 new construction jobs, as well nearly 400 indirect jobs, generating a potential $5 million in new tax revenue.

The Nursing Education Center is also expected to advance Rhode Island’s role as a regional leader in health care and nursing education. In addition to establishing new classrooms and related office space, the project will include extensive improvements to the site’s existing power plant as well as the construction of a new six-story graduate student housing facility, a new 650-space parking structure and various landscaping and site improvements.

An agreement reached by the three institutions in early 2014 will divide the roughly 265,000-square-foot complex in half, with one portion reserved for Brown University offices and the other dedicated to learning and teaching spaces for the other two institutions. The project currently aims for a mid 2016 completion.

“Reaching this important milestone in this highly complex project has required the commitment and tenacity of our private and public sector partners,” said Brown President Christina Paxson, in a statement. “Today, we set the stage to transform a staggering liability into a gleaming asset, providing opportunities for meaningful academic connections that will have lasting benefits for our institutions, our city, and our state.”

“The Nursing Education Center will certainly play a role in the economic recovery of our state,” added Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello. “The training that our future nurses and health care professionals will receive at this first-class facility will open the door for good-paying job opportunities. I am so pleased that the state has made this investment in support of three great institutions of Brown, URI and RIC to make this groundbreaking possible.”

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