Auburn Voters Will Consider $491M School Bond
The November 3 ballot measure would fund new school buildings and replace aging infrastructure for district families.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Do you support increasing local property taxes to fund new school construction in your community?
Auburn School District voters will decide on a $491 million construction bond on November 3, 2026, to address significant student overcrowding and replace aging school buildings. The measure, known as Proposition 1, aims to alleviate pressure in a district where middle schools are currently 1,100 students over-capacity.
Why it matters
The bond is intended to modernize infrastructure and resolve capacity issues, including the use of 45 portable classrooms across the district. Passage of the measure would increase property taxes for local homeowners by $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value over the next 20 years.
The proposal includes funding for a new 134,000-square-foot middle school, plus new buildings for Cascade Middle School and Alpac Elementary School. The current Cascade building is 59 years old, while the Alpac building is 54 years old.
The players
Auburn School District
The local public school system serving area families and responsible for managing district facilities and construction planning.
Cascade Middle School
A district school currently operating in a 59-year-old building that faces significant capacity constraints.
Alpac Elementary School
A district school operating in a 54-year-old building slated for replacement under the proposed bond measure.
The details
The bond funds would be collected through a property tax levy tied to assessed values until the 20-year maturity period concludes. If voters approve the measure, the district plans to replace existing outdated facilities with modern structures to house students currently learning in 45 portable classrooms. Both the new middle school and the new Cascade Middle School building are projected to open by September 2028.
Timeline
November 2024: Bond failed to reach 60 percent approval threshold.
November 2025: Bond failed to reach 60 percent approval threshold.
November 3, 2026: Bond measure appears on the election ballot.
September 2028: Expected opening for the new middle school if the bond passes.
September 2028: Expected opening for the new Cascade Middle School if the bond passes.
The Home Front
This proposal reflects a recurring regional challenge in meeting school infrastructure needs amidst strict supermajority voting requirements. The measure follows a pattern set by the 2024 and 2025 Auburn School District bond failures, which also required a 60 percent threshold for approval.
Homeowners should review the specific impact of the $1.10 per $1,000 rate on their total assessed property value for budget planning. Residents may want to visit the district portal to review architectural plans for the proposed buildings to understand how these changes might impact their neighborhood.
The takeaway
The upcoming vote represents a pivotal moment for district infrastructure and the long-term capacity for local student populations. Residents should mark November 3 on their calendars and verify their voter registration status to ensure their voice is counted in the final tally.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and facility planning on the Secondary Education page.
More information
Review the full project details and ballot information on the Auburn School District 2026 election information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Auburn Reporter.
Live Poll
Do you support increasing local property taxes to fund new school construction in your community?
