2026 School Construction Bond
Monroe School Board asked voters to consider a School Construction Bond measure on the February 2026 special election ballot.
While we had hoped for a different outcome, the School Construction Bond did not pass.
Bonds require 60% voter approval, and the measure received 48.92% approval. Without this funding, we will not be able to move forward at this time with the proposed school construction, safety and security improvements, accessibility upgrades, modernization projects, and major maintenance work intended to ensure safe, adequate, and modern learning environments.
Overview of Proposed Projects
The bond proposal included the following projects:
- Safety and security improvements at schools district-wide
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- Major maintenance projects district-wide
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- Modernization and expansion of the Wagner Center to serve as a new school for Sky Valley Education Center, including demolition of most existing Sky Valley Education Center buildings
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- Modernization of the original two-story wing at Frank Wagner Elementary and the addition of a new gym
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- Modernization and expansion of the original gym/cafeteria/music building at Salem Woods Elementary, addition of classroom space, and playground updates for ADA accessibility
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- Facility updates to support Special Education programming needs at Salem Woods Elementary, Maltby Elementary, Frank Wagner Elementary, and Hidden River Middle School, which would include enhanced storage, improved play areas with ADA accessibility, and restrooms/kitchenettes in select classrooms
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- Enhancements for early learning facilities at all elementary schools, including creating dedicated restrooms within pre-k classrooms, making updates to existing restrooms, updating play areas, and adding classroom storage and space enhancements
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- Improvements to existing outdoor athletic fields, including Memorial Field, Marshall Field, the old Park Place Ballfield, and the Frank Wagner Elementary Field, to expand community access to athletic facilities
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Almost all of these projects were recommendations presented to the School Board in August by the Facility Advisory Committee (FAC), made up of 26 parents, staff, and community representatives. The FAC’s recommendations came after spending many months reviewing district-wide facility needs and identifying priority improvements.
Following the FAC’s recommendations, the School Board held multiple workshops and discussions before ultimately adopting all FAC recommendations and adding improvements to some of the district-owned outdoor field.
What would it have cost?
Project cost estimates included projected inflation through 2028, which is when most of the proposed projects were expected to be completed if approved by voters in February 2026. Actual costs would have varied based on project schedules but the district may not have spent more than the voter-approved maximum of $152,048,846. Funds collected from voter-approved bonds can only be used for capital projects; they cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses.