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,ÌýflexibilityÌýand long-term facility performance.ÌýÌý

Recognizing the critical value of connecting readers with bond- and referendum-related insights, 91ÊÓƵ is proud to announce a new partnership withÌýÌýthat will bringÌýSchoolBondFinder’sÌýexpertiseÌýand capital project bond insights to 91ÊÓƵ readers.ÌýSchoolBondFinderÌýprovides a data-driven lens into how districts are planning,ÌýproposingÌýand delivering projects—offeringÌýstakeholdersÌýa clearer view of where investment is occurring and how those decisions are shaping the future of learning environments.Ìý

The School Bond Finder K-12 Bond PlatformÌýÌý

SchoolBondFinderÌýspecializes 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.Ìý

• Watch List:ÌýDistricts may be added to this list following initial activities such as a facilities study, demographic study, capital improvement plans review, or a feasibility survey.Ìý
• Proposed List: A bond is moved to this list once a school board officially approves a referendum for a vote.ÌýAt this point, the vote date, official ballot language, use, and amount areÌýfinalized.Ìý
• Passed/Failed List:ÌýUpdates on school bond referendum votes—bothÌýpassedÌýandÌýfailed—are typically available on our platform within 24 toÌý72 hoursÌýof the official results being released.Ìý

A Recap of 2025 BondsÌý

As the first quarter of 2026 wrapsÌýupÌýit is important to look back at 2025 for reference. In 2025ÌýSchoolBondFinderÌýtrackedÌý$91ÌýBillion worth of bonds. ApproximatelyÌý$69.2ÌýbillionÌýpassed,ÌýwhereasÌý$22.7ÌýbillionÌýfailed. The overall passage rate for 2025 wasÌý75%, which aligns with the trendÌýobservedÌýover 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.Ìý

Historic TrendsÌý

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, aÌýtrend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.Ìý

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 mostÌýfrequentlyÌýsupported the following project areas:Ìý

• SpecialityÌýAreasÌýÌý
• Instructional AreasÌý
• Athletic FacilitiesÌý
• HVACÌýSystemsElectricalÌýand Lighting UpgradesÌý
• Electrical / Lighting UpgradesÌý

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.Ìý

2026 Year to Date – First QuarterÌý

As of March 2026, approximatelyÌý$6ÌýbillionÌýin K–12 bonds have been approved.ÌýRoughlyÌý267Ìýbond measures were tracked in the first quarter, resulting in aÌý70%Ìýpassage rate. Approved bonds were concentrated primarily in specialty areas (ieÌýcafeterias, sensory rooms, admin spaces), HVAC systems, and instructional spaces. The top three states (WA, KS, and IL) account for aboutÌý66%Ìýof the total bond amount passed in Q1.ÌýÌý

2026 Bond PrioritiesÌý

TheÌýSchoolBondFinderÌýdatabase is currently tracking a total ofÌý1,478Ìýbonds scheduled for 2026 and beyond, as of March. ApproximatelyÌý117Ìýbonds are scheduled to go to vote throughoutÌýthe month of April, with more elections scheduled in May and June. The combined Proposed and Watch List bondsÌýrepresentÌýapproximatelyÌý$56 billionÌýin potential opportunity.ÌýÌý

K-12 School bonds are currently prioritizing construction, capital improvements, technology upgrades, and security enhancements. Many districts areÌýseekingÌýsmaller, 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.Ìý

• 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 upgradesÌýrepresentÌýhigher-value contracts.Ìý
• Student-Centric Modernization:ÌýA significant portionÌýof bond funding targets modernization and expansion of areas directlyÌýimpactingÌýstudent 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.Ìý
• Infrastructure and Safety: Basic infrastructureÌýremainsÌýa consistent priority. Projects related to safety/security and system/building envelope upgrades, such as HVAC replacement, roof repairs, andÌýsecurityÌýshow a commitment to the health, safety, and long-term goals of school facilities.Ìý

More Info and Insights to ComeÌý

Looking ahead, the trajectory of K-12 bond fundingÌýsuggests 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 toÌýtimely, reliable data will remain essential. Platforms likeÌýSchoolBondFinderÌýare critical resources for A/E/C stakeholders,ÌýprovidingÌýthe in-depth insights necessary for better decision-making and efficientÌýutilizationÌýof K-12 funding opportunities.Ìý

Watch for quarterly insights fromÌýSchoolBondFinderÌýto learn more about upcoming opportunities.Ìý

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager withÌý.Ìý

The post New Partnership with SchoolBondFinder Brings Bond, Referendum Insights to 91ÊÓƵ appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The post New Partnership with SchoolBondFinder Brings Bond, Referendum Insights to 91ÊÓƵ appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The renovation project transformed the building once known as the New Bodleian into a multimedia space with an exhibition hall, lecture theater, digital-ready classrooms, conservation and imaging workshops, office space, a café and reading rooms. The facility is made up of six aboveground stories with three underground stacks, reported , and was designed by London-based Wilkinson Eyre Architects.

Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s librarian since 2014, told Harvard Magazine that the main goal of the project was to create “better interactions between manuscript archives, rare books and people.” As such, the library doesn’t look like a traditional library at first glance. Its large atrium greets visitors with the same grand statement that a museum would. A glass-walled circle of stacks floats above the entrance hall, and walls feature two 70-inch Samsung touch-screen displays.

The two exhibition galleries allow visitors to see some of the library’s historic archives, rather than hiding them from view as in the past. For instance, the Treasury will house university treasures such as the Magna Carta and Gutenberg Bible, on the First Folio on semi-permanent display, according to Harvard Magazine. The other exhibition gallery will house special exhibitions.

While visitors are able to interact with these exhibitions, there is a notable division between public and research spaces. Once allowed access, scholars can take advantage of the library’s new reading rooms that open up level by level. This section of the library also incorporates teaching spaces such as the lecture theater and five seminar rooms.

The renovation was partially funded with generous donations from a number of donors. The largest was about $37 million (£25 million) from the Garfield Weston Foundation — hence the name change to Weston Library — which was matched by Oxford University Press. Another about $7.5 million (£5 million) was gifted to the project by Julian Blackwell, president of Blackwell’s and whose Oxford store sits adjacent to the Weston Library site. This additional funding allowed the development of the Blackwell Hall, the library’s new entrance hall.

The post Oxford Library Enters the Digital Age appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

The post Oxford Library Enters the Digital Age appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.