As school districts nationwide grapple with aging infrastructure, evolving educational models and heightened community expectations, K-12 bond measures have become a critical mechanism for funding transformation. Beyond simple capital campaigns, these referendums reflect shifting priorities around safety,听flexibility听and long-term facility performance.听听

Recognizing the critical value of connecting readers with bond- and referendum-related insights, 糖心少女 is proud to announce a new partnership with听听that will bring听SchoolBondFinder鈥檚听expertise听and capital project bond insights to 糖心少女 readers.听SchoolBondFinder听provides a data-driven lens into how districts are planning,听proposing听and delivering projects鈥攐ffering听stakeholders听a clearer view of where investment is occurring and how those decisions are shaping the future of learning environments.听

The School Bond Finder K-12 Bond Platform听听

SchoolBondFinder听specializes in tracking K-12 capital project bonds across the nation. Our platform monitors school district bond initiatives across key stages, providing stakeholders with crucial data on project scope, financing, and voter outcomes.听

• Watch List:听Districts may be added to this list following initial activities such as a facilities study, demographic study, capital improvement plans review, or a feasibility survey.听
• Proposed List: A bond is moved to this list once a school board officially approves a referendum for a vote.听At this point, the vote date, official ballot language, use, and amount are听finalized.听
• Passed/Failed List:听Updates on school bond referendum votes鈥攂oth听passed听and听failed鈥攁re typically available on our platform within 24 to听72 hours听of the official results being released.听

A Recap of 2025 Bonds听

As the first quarter of 2026 wraps听up听it is important to look back at 2025 for reference. In 2025听SchoolBondFinder听tracked听$91听Billion worth of bonds. Approximately听$69.2听billion听passed,听whereas听$22.7听billion听failed. The overall passage rate for 2025 was听75%, which aligns with the trend听observed听over the last few years. Our research team tracks school bond activity nationwide, with the highest total bond amounts recorded in Texas ($18.4 billion), California ($6.1 billion), Ohio ($3.5 billion), Washington ($3.4 billion), and Pennsylvania ($3.0 billion) in 2025.听

Historic Trends听

The chart below illustrates spending amounts for both passed and failed referendums over the past eight years. Election years typically show an increase in both the number and total value of bonds proposed, a听trend often attributed to higher voter turnout during presidential elections, which can improve referendum passage rates.听

An eight-year longitudinal analysis (2018鈥�2025) highlights consistent trends in K-12 bond funding, offering insight into evolving educational priorities. During this period, bond measures most听frequently听supported the following project areas:听

• Speciality听Areas听听
• Instructional Areas听
• Athletic Facilities听
• HVAC听SystemsElectrical听and Lighting Upgrades听
• Electrical / Lighting Upgrades听

Given that most instructional buildings were built before the 1970s, it is no surprise that infrastructure upgrades are a top priority for school districts. Capital improvements continue to be focused on modernizing student learning environments. These spaces include classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and specialized facilities. The goal is student-centered learning, achieved through flexible environments that incorporate mobile furniture, integrated technology, and versatile layouts.听

2026 Year to Date – First Quarter听

As of March 2026, approximately听$6听billion听in K鈥�12 bonds have been approved.听Roughly听267听bond measures were tracked in the first quarter, resulting in a听70%听passage rate. Approved bonds were concentrated primarily in specialty areas (ie听cafeterias, sensory rooms, admin spaces), HVAC systems, and instructional spaces. The top three states (WA, KS, and IL) account for about听66%听of the total bond amount passed in Q1.听听

2026 Bond Priorities听

The听SchoolBondFinder听database is currently tracking a total of听1,478听bonds scheduled for 2026 and beyond, as of March. Approximately听117听bonds are scheduled to go to vote throughout听the month of April, with more elections scheduled in May and June. The combined Proposed and Watch List bonds听represent听approximately听$56 billion听in potential opportunity.听听

K-12 School bonds are currently prioritizing construction, capital improvements, technology upgrades, and security enhancements. Many districts are听seeking听smaller, more targeted amounts for referendums, which may be more appealing to taxpayers and could be a more achievable strategy compared to large, multimillion-dollar bonds.听

• Facility Longevity and Maintenance: There is a growing focus on facility longevity and maintenance over expansion. Renovation and repair projects are the most frequent, while new construction and major system/envelope upgrades听represent听higher-value contracts.听
• Student-Centric Modernization:听A significant portion听of bond funding targets modernization and expansion of areas directly听impacting听student learning and extracurricular activities. This includes projects focused on flexible learning spaces, modern classrooms, and auditorium renovations, showing a high demand for multi-purpose furniture solutions.听
• Infrastructure and Safety: Basic infrastructure听remains听a consistent priority. Projects related to safety/security and system/building envelope upgrades, such as HVAC replacement, roof repairs, and听security听show a commitment to the health, safety, and long-term goals of school facilities.听

More Info and Insights to Come听

Looking ahead, the trajectory of K-12 bond funding听suggests a more strategic, targeted approach to capital investment鈥攐ne that balances fiscal realities with the urgent need to modernize facilities. As districts continue to prioritize infrastructure resilience, student-centered design and operational efficiency, access to听timely, reliable data will remain essential. Platforms like听SchoolBondFinder听are critical resources for A/E/C stakeholders,听providing听the in-depth insights necessary for better decision-making and efficient听utilization听of K-12 funding opportunities.听

Watch for quarterly insights from听SchoolBondFinder听to learn more about upcoming opportunities.听

Petra Sucher is the Marketing Engagement & Analytics Manager with听.听

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TRENTON, N.J.听鈥斕齆ew Jersey Gov.听Mikie Sherrill delivered her inaugural budget address听earlier this month, outlining her听administration鈥檚 plan to听protect children鈥檚 futures听through a听$12.4 billion听investment in K-12 schools for FY 2027.

鈥淢y budget is focused on ensuring kids in New Jersey have access to the best education and brightest possible future,鈥� said Sherrill. 鈥淭he budget includes a record level of K-12 school funding, while acknowledging that much more work is needed to make sure students and taxpayers get the best return on our investment. It lays the foundation for future improvements 鈥� like stronger academic and mental health outcomes, shared services, and more efficient spending 鈥� to better support children from birth through graduation and strengthen schools statewide.鈥�

The $60.7 billion budget includes a proposed surplus of $5.4 billion, while redirecting over 74 percent of the total budget back into New Jersey communities in the form of grants-in-aid for property tax relief, social services, and higher education, as well as state aid to schools, municipalities, and counties.

Among plans to increase affordability and increase government accountability, the budget prioritizes investing in education. Sherrill proposes a record breaking $12.4 billion for K-12 schools in FY 2027, the largest amount in state history and a $370 million increase over last year鈥檚 funding. The budget also includes a record $1.4 billion for Preschool Education Aid. Sherrill added that she looks forward to working with the Legislature to modernize and stabilize the school funding formula.听听听

In preparation for New Jersey’s first cell phone-free school year this fall, the proposal includes $125,000 for the new Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness in the Department of Health. The office will research and make recommendations to guide responsible use of social media platforms among youth. The budget also includes $500,000 for a new Social Media Research Center at one of New Jersey鈥檚 higher education institutions.听听

An allocation of $15 million for high-impact tutoring 鈥� double the amount of FY 2026 m鈥� would help nearly 100 more districts and 13,500 more students, with the goal to accelerate learning and address academic achievement gaps spurred by the pandemic. The budget would also provide 21,000 schoolchildren with free meals through the Working-Class Families Anti-Hunger Act.听

The announcement reflects a continuation of policy choices aligned with Sherrill鈥檚 goals to modernize and stabilize the School Funding Reform Act, which provide the blueprint for New Jersey鈥檚 state aid formula. The budget limits reductions in state aid to no more than 3 percent, which will prevent the loss of an additional $188.4 million for school districts. Without a limit to cuts, some districts have faced losses of up to 60 percent of their state aid in recent years. These limits on reductions are offset by a 6 percent limit on state aid increases, ensuring overall stability while recognizing the need for annual adjustments.

The New Jersey Department of Education will use a three-year average when determining local fair share, which is the amount of funding a local school district is expected to contribute toward its own budget based on its property wealth and income. Using a multi-year average minimizes year-to-year fluctuations.

To ensure state aid reflects the real needs of districts, the NJDOE will use actual special education enrollment numbers to determine funding levels, instead of the approach used in years past of relying on a statewide average for all districts. State aid allocations are available on .

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What You Need to Know听

• Maine鈥檚 Governor鈥檚 Commission on School Construction is urging changes to how projects are planned, prioritized and funded, citing rising costs and a growing backlog.听

• The commission estimates the state may need听roughly听$11 billion听over 20 years听to repair or replace aging school buildings; Maine has听nearly听600听public schools听with an average building age of听54 years.听听

• Recommendations include addressing deferred maintenance earlier, using prototype designs, building a statewide facilities master plan and reducing red tape that can extend project timelines.听听

• The report also recommends creating a quasi-independent听Intergovernmental Office of School Infrastructure听and calls for a short-term working group to draft legislation and听implementation听details.听听

Learn More听

AUGUSTA, Maine 鈥� Maine鈥檚 Governor鈥檚 Commission on School Construction is calling for a broad overhaul of the state鈥檚 school construction pipeline, arguing that the current approach cannot keep pace with aging buildings, rising costs and long waitlists for state support.听听

The commission鈥檚 final report lays out a long-term roadmap for planning,听funding听and delivering capital projects statewide 鈥� while local districts such as RSU 23 in Old Orchard Beach point to immediate building-system and accessibility issues as they wait for upgrades.听听

According to reporting by WGME/CBS13鈥檚 I-Team and a follow-up summary by Construction Owners Club, the commission estimates Maine could need听roughly听$11 billion听over the next 20 years to repair or replace hundreds of aging school buildings. The sources note Maine has听nearly 600听public schools and an average building age of 54 years.听听

The impact is visible in districts already queued for state听assistance. RSU 23 is seeking to replace Loranger Memorial School, described as a 90-year-old facility whose infrastructure and learning spaces no longer meet modern expectations. The district is currently at the front of the line for state funding, but Loranger鈥檚 placement on the priority list underscores how demand is outpacing available bond capacity.听听

Commission Chair Valerie Landry said the scale of need requires a shift in strategy, with the report organizing its recommendations around four goals: reducing construction costs, maximizing existing resources, diversifying and increasing funding, and using data more strategically.听听

The commission recommends addressing deferred maintenance earlier to avoid costlier replacements later, encouraging school consolidation where it makes sense, developing prototype or model school designs to reduce upfront design costs, and creating a statewide facilities master plan to guide long-term investment.听听

Process reform is also a central theme. The report calls for reducing the layers of requirements districts must navigate after a project is approved鈥攕uch as permitting, engineering studies, design听requirements听and acquisitions鈥攂ecause those steps can stretch schedules for years and delay when students and staff see a new or renovated building.听听

Even if the state streamlines the process, the commission cautions that financing听remains听the key constraint. The report discusses options such as raising the bond cap, capturing unused debt-service capacity for maintenance projects, exploring dedicated revenue听streams听and examining public-private partnership models used in other states.听听

One of the commission鈥檚 most significant recommendations is creating a small, quasi-independent Intergovernmental Office of School Infrastructure to coordinate planning, data听analysis听and funding strategies across state and local government. The commission notes听establishing听the office would require legislative approval and听urges听state leaders to form a short-term working group to draft legislation and听implementation听details.听听

This article is based on reporting originally published by WGME/CBS13 I-Team on Feb. 26, 2026, and a related summary published by Construction Owners Club on March 2, 2026.听

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What You Need to Know听

• Lawmakers reintroduced the Rebuild America鈥檚 Schools Act, proposing $130 billion for K-12 facility upgrades.

• $100 billion would flow through state formula grants, with 95% passed through to districts based on need-related criteria.听

• $30 billion would restore qualified school infrastructure bonds and qualified zone academy bonds, with allocations planned from 2027鈥�2029.

• The bill would also require states to build publicly searchable databases tracking school facility conditions.

Learn听More听

A bicameral proposal would send听$130 billion听in federal support to help school districts address long-deferred facility upgrades, combining state formula grants with revived bond authority intended to expand access to capital in lower-income communities.听听

The Rebuild America鈥檚 Schools Act has been introduced four times since 2019, but has not advanced to final passage, according to听.听

Under the latest version, $100 billion would be distributed through formula grants to states. Of that amount, 95% would be directed to districts using criteria that include local child poverty levels, fiscal limitations on raising funds and the severity of facility needs.听听

An听additional听$30 billion听would be provided as bond authority for two programs 鈥� qualified school infrastructure bonds and qualified zone academy bonds 鈥� which were eliminated under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill would spread the bond authority in听$10 billion听increments each year from 2027 through 2029.听听

Supporters argue restoring qualified zone academy bonds could be particularly significant for communities with limited tax bases, where bond referenda can be harder to pass. The bill would reduce matching requirements and add flexibility听on听eligible uses, according to the article.听听

Facilities funding disparities have also triggered constitutional challenges in multiple states. Facilities Dive noted lawsuits filed last year in California and Arizona alleging that reliance on local district funding for building upkeep and modernization creates inequities; Arizona鈥檚 system was ruled unconstitutional, while California鈥檚 case听remains听pending.听

To improve visibility into facility conditions, the measure would require each state to develop a database documenting school infrastructure. 鈥淎n online, publicly searchable database [should provide] an inventory of the infrastructure of all听public school听facilities in the state,鈥� according to an article from听.听

Even with broad coalition support, near-term prospects for the bill appear uncertain. The article said Congress had just passed its FY 2026听consolidated听appropriations package,听leaving听no immediate legislative vehicle, and noted the Trump administration is unlikely to back the proposal.听

Advocates say the investment would address a major backlog. 鈥淲e are hopeful that the federal government recognizes that this investment would provide a much-needed solution to a glaring problem,鈥� according to an article from听.听

This article is based on reporting originally published by听听on Feb. 6, 2026.听听

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As students file out of classrooms for summer break, school campuses will become the epicenter for an abundance of seasonal construction projects. This summer the projects are likely to be large. School officials were recently notified that the federal government has now made another $500 million grant program available to school campuses. This most recent funding was allocated to address infrastructure needs, and because it is another addition to the multimillions already allocated for school districts, the results should be rather incredible.

Infrastructure modernization includes all types of projects 鈥� energy upgrades, technology implementations, campus security, cybersecurity, and even new facilities. Ultimately, the projects should improve safety, lower operational costs, facilitate additional classrooms, upgrade labs, enhance gymnasiums or sports facilities, and provide the technology required to foster the curiosity and intellectual development of future generations. Some have ventured to say that current funding for school districts, from a multitude of different sources, represents a historic high point and the projects that result will change lives and restructure entire communities throughout the U.S.

In the city of Toledo, Iowa, officials at the state, municipal, and district levels will collaborate on a $26.8 million effort to relocate the South Tama Middle School. The project鈥檚 objective is to facilitate adaptive re-use of the state-owned Iowa Juvenile Home facility. It has been vacant since 2014 and its renovation includes an expansion to accommodate the district鈥檚 needs. The remediation and subsequent demolition phases will go out to bid later this year.

A multi-phase plan to renew facilities across Michigan鈥檚 Holland Public School District is already underway. Voters approved a $74 million bond proposal that includes funding for remodeling both Holland Middle School and Holland High School. Numerous areas that will be upgraded as a part of the renovation include cafeterias, common areas, and outdoor spaces. Another $41.4 million is available for the second planned phase of work, which will include partial reconstruction of two elementary schools in the district.

Officials in the Lincoln County School District of Missouri budgeted $37 million for renovation, expansion, and new construction work across the district鈥檚 various school campuses. To address growth, an eighth elementary school will be constructed. The Troy South Middle School campus also will be expanded to accommodate six additional classrooms. Finally, funding is allocated for a remodel of the New Horizons High School facility. That project will not only expand the high school鈥檚 programming capacity but will also enhance its security resources.

Ohio鈥檚 Manchester School District is coordinating with state planning officials for a $34 million investment in school improvement projects. Additional oversight and funding from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will support the launch of a district-wide sequence of school improvement projects. A new high school will be constructed, an existing facility will be renovated and restructured as an elementary school, and two other educational facilities will be demolished. Renovation work on the existing high school building will take place at about the same time. All projects are scheduled for completion by the end of summer 2024.

In Fulton County, Georgia, a five-year sales tax will generate an estimated total of $860 million which will be used for upcoming school projects. The funding will be used for projects outlined in the school district鈥檚 master plan. A few of the projects include preliminary planning to replace the district鈥檚 aging North Spring High School facility, a roof replacement for a middle school, and a major renovation of a charter school in the district.

In Virginia, a massive amount of funding is available for 14 improvement projects in Fairfax County. Over the next five years, a total of $360 million will be available for renovation work. Projects include a $130 million renovation effort at Falls Church High School, a $38 million renovation of Bonnie Brae Elementary School, $31 million to update Crossfield Elementary School and approximately $37 million for improvements at Louise Archer Elementary School.

The Wake County Public School System in North Carolina plans to direct $274.4 million in funding to construction of new school facilities and an additional $92.2 million for major renovations to existing facilities. Over half of the sum designated for renovation work is committed to North Garner Middle School. That project will have a $52.1 million funding allocation to expand the school鈥檚 classroom capacity, construct a new running track, and make other improvements. Additionally, $60 million is earmarked for construction of the county鈥檚 new Pleasant Plains Elementary School. A similar funding allocation will be used for construction of the county鈥檚 new Bowling Road Elementary School. Design work is underway for a longer-term project to build a new $152.3 million Felton Grove High School to open in August 2025 with a capacity of 2,223 students.

The city of Burlington, Vermont, is in the preliminary design stage of a plan to construct a new high school facility. Local school officials are reviewing five different design plans 鈥� all of which have estimated costs in the range of $200 million. A $29 million demolition and environmental remediation phase will clear the site of the existing structures before construction of the new facility begins.

School district campuses are highly valued public assets. There is little disagreement about the importance educational resources. Students at every educational level represent the country鈥檚 future scientists, engineers, researchers, technology professionals, physicians, and elected officials. The upgrades, modernizations, and enhancements that will be possible because of the funding will result in thousands of collaborative initiatives that will in turn create jobs, stimulate regional economies, and build stronger communities.

Mary Scott Nabers听is president and CEO of听Strategic Partnerships Inc.,听a business development company specializing in government contracting and procurement consulting throughout the U.S. Her recently released book,听Inside the Infrastructure Revolution: A Roadmap for Building America, is a handbook for contractors, investors and the public at large seeking to explore how public-private partnerships or joint ventures can help finance their infrastructure projects.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada鈥擳he government of British Columbia recently announced it is putting $217.7 million of annual maintenance funding to school districts across the province to increase energy efficiency in schools.

This year鈥檚 funding is more than $32 million higher than four years ago. Also included this year is an additional $12.2 million from CleanBC that will provide school districts with more resources through the province鈥檚 Carbon Neutral Capital Program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This extra funding will also create operating cost savings from energy efficiencies such as adding solar panels, high efficiency boilers and LED lighting upgrades, a government release stated.

鈥淭ackling climate change is critically important for all of us, and our school system can play a part in helping cut carbon pollution,鈥� said B.C. Minister of Education Rob Fleming in a statement. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檝e significantly increased maintenance funding to help districts better maintain schools, improve energy efficiency and work to provide the best possible learning environments for students,鈥�

CleanBC is the government鈥檚 plan to reduce carbon pollution through approximately $1.3 billion in provincial funding over four years.

Said B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman in a statement, 鈥淲e鈥檙e working with school districts throughout the province to create healthier learning environments for students and modeling a more secure future through energy efficient buildings and transportation options.鈥�

In addition to new CleanBC funding the Carbon Neutral Capital Program is providing approximately $17 million to nearly 70 different energy efficient projects.

There will also be the option for school districts to purchase electric school buses through the 2020-21 Bus Acquisition Program, which provides $13 million for 31 school districts to buy 101 new buses including up to 15 electric buses. Districts that purchase electric buses will also have access to provincial funding for charging station infrastructure.

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