Lake Stevens prepares for a bond that registered voters will be able to vote on Nov. 5, 2024. The bond, if passed, will improve overcrowding and safety for elementary and middle schools.

Two new schools will be implemented with the passing of the bond: a new elementary school across from Stevens Creek Elementary and an Innovative Learning Center on the grounds of Mt. Pilchuck Elementary.

The 2024 bond will also tackle the outdated elementary schools and middle schools throughout the district, upgrading and expanding the infrastructure and safety within the schools.

A school bond is a way for a school district to raise money for important projects like building new schools or improving existing ones. The funds for these projects are raised through public voting and the money is used to support the needs of the school district.

The approval of a school bond can lead to better school facilities, a safer environment for students and even additions to the community such as sports fields.

The 2024 Bond will replace the 2005 bond that will be paid off in the year 2025. Bond executives have been working with the community and schools in order to bring awareness to the bond and hopefully get it passed.

Yet, student awareness is still limited.

“Awareness of the bond is the most important, I think we do a really good job as a school district of communicating with our staff and our families and our communities, but we don’t always think about our students and what an important role they play in this,” Exec. Director of Communications & Community Services Jayme Taylor said.

Of 98 students who responded to the survey, 54 % didn’t know what a bond is. How could we improve awareness?

“ I think the opportunities like this where you get the chance to interview and research like this is important,” Taylor said.

Safety Concerns Within Schools

The Lake Stevens School District has a few problems with safety. Skyline for example was built with no doors in its classrooms. Not only is no doors a safety issue, but because the doors were replaced with curtains, it was a distraction for learning.

“I want everyone here to feel safe. That metal gating is really important to me. And, as well as just structural rights, because, like Glenwoods’ and like all these old schools, like, especially Skyline doesn’t even have doors,” junior Aashisri Bendalam said.

2024 School Construction Replacement bond. (LSSD 2024 School Construction Bond)

“We could always see people walking the halls so it was always loud and there was a lockdown one time and everyone was a little worried because there was no doors so you know there was nowhere to really be safe and take cover,” sophomore Keira Bredstrand said.

If the high school environment weren’t as safe and secure as it is now, she believes the learning experience for her last year would have been significantly different, Aashisri Bendalam said. This safe environment allows students to thrive and focus on learning.

Alternative Learning Opportunities in Lake Stevens
Alongside the innovations and upgrades, a permanent innovative learning center will be built.

When it comes to alternative learning for high school students, Lake Stevens School District has no permanent buildings or programs in the city.

“We have about 75 students that are our students that are bussed to Granite Falls and attend Crossroads. We want our students back and we want to educate those students who live in Lake Stevens here in Lake Stevens,” Taylor said.

This center will host a program that offers alternative education for students here in Lake Stevens.

Population Growth in Schools
Upgrades to LSSD are important so that upcoming classes can be successful in their learning environment.

The 2024 bond will expand the campuses of Skyline, Glenwood. These schools will have new buildings built and second floors added to help with the growth of the student population in the district.

The new elementary school will also be two stories.

By expanding the campuses, it’s hoped it will improve the education for our students by creating less crowded classrooms and decreasing distractions.

The bond should focus on overcrowding for our middle schools, senior Gurleen Sidhu said.

“I think that it’s important for schools to be upgraded, future generations are the future of the world, so it’s important that we get the knowledge we need, ” junior Aubrey Lynch said.

Providing education for the students in our schools and beyond is the highest priority for the Lake Stevens School District. With classrooms filled to the brim, learning can become less personal.

“I definitely feel like less crowded classrooms to begin with, it’s definitely more of a problem when I have like 35 kids in all of my classes,” senior Coren Coe said.

With the 2024 LSSD Bond the education and belonging of students within the Lake Stevens School District will be modernized, not just for the current generation of students, but for the many generations of students that will follow in their footsteps.