BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Blaine School District is hoping the third time will be the charm with voters set to decide on another bond early next year.
The district’s board of directors voted on Monday, Aug. 24, to place a roughly $62.37 million bond on the February 2027 special election ballot.
If approved, the bond would fund construction of a new Blaine Middle School and support upgrades at the Pipeline Athletic Complex.
The middle school would be demolished and a new facility would be built in its place. But according to Interim Superintendent Dan Chaplik, the project wouldn’t completely replace the middle school, since the performing arts center and cafeteria would each be maintained.
Meanwhile, the Pipeline Athletic Complex would get turf baseball and softball fields, upgraded lighting and electrical, a new restroom and improved walking paths, among other improvements.
If approved, the bond raises property taxes by about 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That would cost about $18 more per month for the owner of a $515,000 home.
Chaplik tells My Bellingham Now that the cost of the project will likely be lower, but the estimate was constructed with a “built-in cushion” to avoid going over budget.
Blaine voters have twice rejected a $70 million bond that aimed to make many of the same upgrades, first in February 2024 and again in November 2024.
Both attempts fell around five percentage points short of the 60% supermajority required to pass.
The Lynden and Meridian school districts have also failed to pass bonds in recent years despite several attempts from each district.
