Facilities Planning FAQ

Coupeville schools belong to the whole community and our buildings are getting older. There are also some significant traffic delays before and after school. The Coupeville School District established a 19-member Facilities Planning Task Force (FPTF) to help shape a long-term vision for school facilities that meet the needs of our students, staff, and community, now and into the future. Members of the task force represent perspectives from many parts of our community.

From October 2025 through October 2026, this diverse group of community members, supported by district staff and technical experts, will study the condition of district buildings, review educational and enrollment needs, explore cost and funding options, and consider community feedback. The FPTF created draft recommendations in May 2026 for feedback from the community.

1. Consider how facility improvements can strengthen multi-generational and historical connections between the community and school district.
2. Prioritize facilities with flexible learning environments.
3. Consider facility improvements for the elementary level.
4. Consider how to increase CTE/STEAM and elective opportunities for students.
5. Provide outdoor connections for students and staff.

While replacing the elementary school was identified as the top priority, there are a number of other projects that could be considered in one bond package that would support the student learning experience and/or reduce maintenance costs or fees incurred by the district.

Priority projects were also identified at the middle/high school campus. While these facilities are not as old as the elementary school, there are many opportunities to improve the efficiency and usability so the school is best serving our students.

Coupeville last ran a $22.8 million bond in 2004 which provided funding for the two-story high school, commons, music room, and gym, and removed the pre-WWII buildings.

See our past funding for projects at the History of Capital Projects page

A bond is similar to a home mortgage, it is an investment in the district for large capital projects that is paid off through taxes. A bond must be approved by 60% of voters and is the primary funding source for school construction in Washington. A bond locks in pricing and interest and can be refinanced during its duration. Bonds can't be used for salaries or programs/operations.

A bond is different from a levy, which provides a set amount of funding each year during its duration, usually 3-6 years. Levies require 50% voter approval and often do not provide enough funding for large construction projects. 

School districts receive minimal funding for building maintenance, repairs, or construction. Districts around the state rely on local, voter-approved bonds to provide funding for major construction projects.

Some supplemental state funding is available but is dependent on several factors, including a bond or levy being approved and the condition/eligibility of the specific project.

Coupeville staff apply for numerous grants every year to offset taxpayer costs. In 2026, we were awarded a $9 million grant from the Department of Defense to install noise mitigating insulation and air conditioning at Coupeville High School and Coupeville Middle School. 

Many grants are conditional on the district securing another, primary funding source (a bond), and often are not enough to cover the full price of a major construction project. 

In February 2026, voters approved renewal of two levies: the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy and the Capital Technology Levy. These levies provide a set amount of funding each year for four years and bridge the gap between what the state funds and the actual cost of supporting our student. Levies provide funding for ongoing operational and programmatic costs like athletics and extracurricular activities, music and performing arts, advanced classwork, small repairs and updates around the district, updating technology and data security, licenses for software, and more.

These levies must be renewed every four years.

Of the similar-sized school districts in Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties, Coupeville is among the lowest total tax rate.