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Bond FAQs

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Hockinson Bond 2025: Basic Information

  • What projects does the bond on the February 2025 ballot fund?

The 2025 bond would fund fund the following projects:

  1. New TK-5 elementary school = about $57.7 local bond contribution, after impact fees and property sales and state-assisted funding (65.7% of total bond)
  2. HHES demo, rebuild and remodel: Connected campus & Safety Upgrade = about $23.3 million (26.5% of total bond)
  3. HHS CTE Building & HS Safety Upgrade = approximately $1.2 million, leveraging additional in-kind and cash donor contributions (1.4% of total bond)
  4. Replacement Track and Install Multi-Use Synthetic Turf Field HHS = about $4.8 million (5.5% of total bond)
  5. HMS Outdoor Play Area & Safety Upgrade = about $800,000 (0.9% of total bond)

Community input is the heart of the facilities planning process. The projects included in the bond proposal are based on the top facilities concerns that Hockinson families prioritized in Facilities Planning Committee surveys last spring.

In FPC family surveys, respondents also prioritized replacing aging HVACs and roofs for student and staff safety and comfort, and to protect school buildings from weather. This project has been excluded from the bond proposal and Hockinson School District is exploring grant funding options to accomplish this important project. This reduced the scope of the bond proposal by millions of dollars.

  • What is the cost of the February 11 bond?

The total proposed bond collection amount spread out over a maximum of 21 years is $87.75 million. The district cannot collect more than the total collection amount proposed to and approved by voters. For example, if the community grows and more people move to Hockinson, the district does not collect more than the total approved collection amount. Instead, the overall cost of the proposed bond is spread out across more households, resulting in lower tax rates.

Hockinson’s previously approved bond will decrease in 2025 and will be paid off by 2035. Approval of the current bond proposal will result in an estimated $0.68 increase per $1,000 of assessed value. The total estimated rate for the proposed bond in 2026 is $1.34 per $1000.

What Does This Mean for Homeowners?

For the owner of a home in Hockinson the estimated cost would be as follows:

Assessed Home Value

Estimated Additional Cost Per Month

$500,000

$28.33

$750,000

$42.50

$1,000,000

$56.67

  • Are there tax exemptions? 

Yes, people with disabilities or those 61 years of age or older may be eligible for a tax exemption. For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office in Clark County at 564-397-4641.

  • How do I vote on the Hockinson School District bond in February 2025?

Ballots are due by February 11, 2025.  Hockinson voters will receive ballots by mail in late January. Voters can return completed ballots by mail or using a Clark County Elections dropbox.  

Note: 

  • If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day; 
  • If using a drop box, ballot must be turned in by 8 pm on Election Day; 
  • If returned in person to the Elections Office, it must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.
  • Where can I learn more about the February 2025 bond?

You can learn more about the 2025 bond by visiting our website at hocksd.org/bond, where you'll find detailed information about the bond proposal. 

To explore the extensive research behind the proposed projects, visit the Facilities Planning Committee's page at hocksd.org/fpc. We also provide regular updates in our HSD Round Ups, which are emailed to families every other week. For additional news, check out the Hockinson School District Facebook page.

  • Is the district-owned land at NE 169th & NE 217th being sold to raise funds for the projects?

The HSD is in the process of surplusing and selling this property, which is anticipated to generate around $1 million in proceeds. Proceeds would be applied to the costs of bond projects. 

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.

  • What efforts have been made for grants or other types of funding for these projects?

Hockinson School District will stretch local tax dollars by utilizing over $2 million in impact fees and district property sales, as well as $8.7 million in anticipated state construction assistance funding. State funding assistance is only available if the bond passes. 

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.

Building a Second Elementary School

  • Why is building a second elementary school in Hockinson School District on the ballot?

HHES has the highest student enrollment of any elementary school in Clark County, with 924 students. Due to overcrowding, nearly one-third of all HHES students spend most of their school day in one of the school’s 24 portable classrooms. 

Overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School causes traffic congestion at daily drop-off/pick-up and family events and lunch windows from 9:50 am (kindergarten) to 12:40 pm (5th grade) due to low cafeteria capacity.

Over time, the number of Hockinson families living in the district and attending school here has grown with our student population exceeding the HHES capacity. Over the last 7 years, our kindergarten enrollment levels have grown by about 26% and our in-district birth rate has increased by about 28%.

  • How will the district provide enough student support staffing to maintain our high education standards at two elementary schools in the district?

Hockinson School District will split current staffing between the two campuses, backfill coverage gaps, and add student support staffing hours for the new school building. 

  • If a second elementary school is built in Hockinson, will elementary-aged siblings be kept together?

Yes, elementary school enrollment will be based on your address. This means that elementary-aged siblings will attend the same school. This will also help to reduce traffic congestion at the elementary schools, because parents of elementary-aged children will only attend school events, drop-off, and pick-up at one of the two elementary schools in the district.

This question was submitted anonymously by a Hockinson parent in the Facilities Planning Committee Survey #3. 

  • How have impact fees reduced the cost to taxpayers of building a new school?

HSD used impact fees to purchase a 40-acre piece of property adjacent to Hockinson Meadows Park, the site for the proposed second elementary school, for $720,000. Neighboring districts have paid millions for a similar piece of property. For example, one Clark County school district recently purchased 15 acres for $6 million.

  • What is the plan for when these students at HHES age out of the school and advance to HMS?

HHES is overcrowded, and enrollment at HHES has risen each year. When these larger grade level groups move on to middle school, the Hockinson Middle School facilities will be ready to accommodate them. Hockinson Middle School opened in 2018, and the newer facilities are equipped to handle more students.

Here are our school capacities vs. current student enrollment:

 

 

School capacity

Current enrollment

Hockinson Heights Elementary School

(6 grades, K-5 plus 72 TK students)

598

929

Hockinson Middle School

(3 grades, 6-8)

550

478

Hockinson High School

(4 grades, 9-12)

690*

606

*add 20-30 student capacity if the bond is passed and the Career & Technical Education trades building is built.

Hockinson School District is planning ahead so that additions will not need to be constructed at the middle or high school levels to create more capacity when our youngest students age out of the elementary school.

  • How does Hockinson School District manage boundary exceptions, and what is the current impact on enrollment?

A net 65 students attend Hockinson School District on a boundary exception across all three schools. The net is calculated by subtracting the students who live in Hockinson but are on boundary exceptions out of the district from the number of students on boundary exceptions into our district.

This represents 3.2% of the K-12 student population in Hockinson School District. Of the boundary exceptions into HSD, 44 are children of school employees and this is a parental right of school employees that school districts are required to allow under state law.

  • Why is the bond amount set at $87.8 million?

The bond proposal has been carefully calculated based on current economic conditions and construction costs. The district's bonding capacity (limit) is over $120 million. The Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) has recommended 72.5% of that capacity.

The cost of construction has risen substantially over the years. For example, building Hockinson High School (2000-03) cost $16.23 million and is estimated to exceed $140 million if it was built today. Hockinson Middle School (2015-17) was built for $31 million and costs are estimated at $69 million if it was built today.

The current tax rate for Hockinson homeowners is $2.98 per $1000 of assessed home value. In January 2026, that rate is projected to drop to $2.27 as a past HSD construction bond is reaching the end of its term. This means that funding this bond would cost a projected $44/month for the owner of a $750,000 home, while the increase to homeowners is projected to be 71¢ per thousand.

  • How will staffing for the new elementary school, including funding for teachers and support staff, be addressed?

Hockinson School District will split current staffing between the two campuses. Based on other schools of similar size, the following position hours may be added after staff are split between the two schools:

  • Upgrading one Associate Principal salary to a Principal salary
  • 1.0 full time head secretary, so that there is one Head Secretary and one Assistant Secretary at each school.
  • 1.0 full time Media Specialist to organize and coordinate library use.
  • Add part-time (0.5) Counselor hours. HHES currently has 1.5 counselors. The addition of 0.5 Counselor hours would create 1 counselor for each school.
  • Additional hour for a crossing guard. The HHES Crossing Guard is a para/General Duty Aide with an additional hour. The new school would need the same.

The remaining 8 student support specialists positions could all be split between the two schools. The certificated positions are based on a student:teacher ratio and paraprofessional assignments are based on student need.

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.

  • What research has HSD done on the plot of land for the proposed elementary school?

The second elementary school would be constructed on a 40-acre parcel of land adjacent to Hockinson Meadows Park and disc golf course, which increases facility possibilities and opportunities for students.


Hockinson School District has consulted with a wetlands biologist and an engineering and forestry services company. The property has undergone geotechnical evaluations, a site drainage study, utilities analysis, and a traffic analysis on the proposed elementary school property. Through this extensive research, it was determined that the property is a buildable site. 


This 40-acre parcel was purchased for $720,000  in 2023 using impact fees.

Safety Improvements & Remodeling at HHES

  • Will every elementary student have access to modern facilities when the new school is built? 

Yes. The bond includes funds to remodel and make safety improvements at the existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School site. The following priority projects are included in the proposed bond:

  • Improve building lockdown functionality: There is currently no capability to automatically secure exterior doors during a lockdown situation at HHES. In a recent family survey, respondents identified improving building lockdown functionality as a top priority.
  • Improve Traffic Flow: The project includes redesigning the parking lot and improving bus access to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. In a recent district-wide family survey, 61.2% of respondents said that traffic congestion during daily pick-up/drop-off and family events at HHES impacts them.
  • Eliminate Portable Classrooms: Hockinson School District will eliminate portable classrooms and transition students into permanent classrooms. Due to overcrowding, nearly one-third of all HHES students currently spend most of their school day in one of the school’s 24 portable classrooms. 
  • Campus Redesign to Maximize Instructional Time: The redesign will reduce the time students spend walking between specialists and classrooms throughout the day, minimizing lost instructional time due to daily transitions.
  • Single Secure Entry: Constructing a single secure entry door will enhance security by restricting school access points.
  • Campus Beautification: Updating and beautifying the campus will improve access and flow, promote school pride, and incorporate shared green spaces for the community.

 

  • Why is HHES split into multiple buildings with breezeways that expose children to the elements? What can we do about that?

The bond includes funds to remodel and make safety improvements at the existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School site, including eliminating portable classrooms that are separated from the main school building. This will centralize classrooms and reduce the number of students walking outdoors during the school day.

This question was submitted anonymously by a Hockinson parent in the Facilities Planning Committee Survey #3.

  • Will HHES still be remodeled if a new elementary school is built, or is it one or the other?

The February 2025 bond includes construction of the new elementary school and remodeling/ safety improvements at the existing HHES campus. Both projects are included so that all elementary students in Hockinson School District have access to modern facilities.

This question was submitted anonymously by a Hockinson parent in the Facilities Planning Committee Survey #3.

Adding a Career & Technical Education Building at Hockinson High School

  • What Career & Technical Education job readiness classes are offered at Hockinson High School?

Students at Hockinson High School can take hands-on job readiness classes such as Woods, Intro to Engineering, Small Business Management, Personal Finance, Health, Sports Medicine, Computer Science, Construction, Career Choices, Financial Algebra, Intro to Architecture, Entrepreneurship, Office Procedures, Stagecraft, Worksite Learning, and Yearbook. HHS also has a longstanding agreement with Cascadia Tech Academy to offer additional job readiness classes to HHS students at the Cascadia Tech campus.

CTE classes provide students with hands-on, real-world skills that can be applied to future careers. Some fulfill high school math and English requirements, and some classes offer dual credit (Clark College Articulate credits) in high school.

  • Why add a Career & Technical Education building to Hockinson High School?

The proposed Career & Technical Education (CTE) building would offer more space for hands-on job readiness classes, and would allow more students at HHS to take CTE classes. Job readiness classes are increasingly in demand at HHS. This year, Hockinson High School has the highest CTE enrollment in the school’s history: 738 (represents students in fall and spring semesters combined).

The building would also make class materials and supplies, like tools and wood, more accessible for students. Due to lack of space, CTE supplies are currently stored in the school’s loading dock.

  • If the Career & Technical Education building is constructed at Hockinson High School, will HHS students still have the opportunity to take Cascadia Tech Academy courses?

Yes. Hockinson High School has a longstanding agreement with Cascadia Tech Academy to offer additional job readiness classes to HHS students at the Cascadia Tech campus. This agreement will still stand.

  • How is this project being supported by donations and grant funds?

Matching funds and in-kind donations have been offered from industry leader and philanthropist Douglas Green to support the project. 

Hockinson School District has also applied for a $25,000 grant for CTE materials and supplies. It takes a lot of supplies to maintain a job readiness program, and this grant would support material needs of the program, like tools and wood.

Replacing the HHS track and installing synthetic field

  • Why replace the HHS track and install a synthetic field?

Hockinson High School is the only school of the 17-school Greater St. Helens League without an artificial turf stadium field. Our current grass field does not meet the facility requirements for postseason football and soccer competitions, which means that our athletes travel to and rent other facilities—adding unnecessary expenses to our athletic budget.

The field serves multiple purposes beyond athletics, including PE classes, marching band practice, and community recreation. However, the existing grass field can support around 20 events each year due to wear and tear concerns. The annual maintenance costs for the grass field exceed $10,000, which includes watering, painting and repainting lines, fertilizing, sanding, seeding, and mowing.

The track surrounding the field was installed in 2003 and has reached the end of its typical lifespan of 8-15 years. The district spends between $8,000 and $10,000 annually to repair age-related issues. The Facilities Planning Committee recommended adding synthetic turf to the stadium field at the same time as the track replacement, since installing turf on this field at a later time could risk damaging the new track and put the investment at risk.

  • Is synthetic turf safe?

Hockinson School District cares deeply about student safety, and we know our families do too. That's why we're taking extra care to evaluate synthetic turf options and to choose materials that meet our high health standards. HSD is only considering non-toxic synthetic turf options.

Across Clark County, synthetic turf has become the standard for high school stadium fields to provide even playing surfaces in our wet climate. A couple of states have banned the sale of specific consumer goods with intentionally added PFAs. There are several synthetic turf brands offering non-toxic and PFA-free options on the market.

Our current grass stadium field becomes muddy and damaged during rainy months which restricts use by our boys & girls soccer and football teams. Also, the field does not meet post-season requirements. This means that Hockinson High School has to rent other schools' synthetic turf fields for regional and state soccer and football games. Currently, 16 of 17 schools in the Greater St Helens League have synthetic turf fields, so HHS athletes regularly compete on synthetic turf surfaces. Installing synthetic turf at HHS would enable the school to host more games at home without worrying about wet conditions or costly rentals.

  • Would the track at Hockinson High School have PFA chemicals?

Greg Swenson from Astroturf answered this question in a live Bond Q&A webinar. The Astroturf manufacturing process does not involve PFAS and has not had PFAs since 2020. Astroturf undergoes third party testing to ensure that it does not contain detectable PFAS. Below is a link to the full PFAS testing reports for all Brock products (SP/YSR pads and Brockfill organic infill): https://brockusa.egnyte.com/dl/ZiGlYbRcV6

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.

  • How does replacing the track and installing a synthetic turf field reduce maintenance and program costs?

Our high school football and soccer athletes travel and rent other facilities for postseason competitions because our current field does not meet the facility requirements for these postseason games. Travel and venue rentals add expenses to our athletic budget.

The existing grass field can support a limited number of events each year—about 20 football and soccer games—due to wear and tear concerns. This limitation also means we can't rent the field out to community groups, a potential revenue source. 

Aging facilities are expensive to maintain. The maintenance costs for the grass field exceed $10,000 annually. This includes watering, painting and repainting lines, fertilizing, sanding, seeding, and mowing. The track surrounding our field, installed in 2003, costs the district between $8,000 to $10,000 each year to patch up age-related issues. Tracks like ours typically last between 8-15 years.

  • If the proposal includes a turf field for the stadium, why not turf the baseball fields which can become equally unsafe and unplayable?

That recommendation by the FPC came down to cost and prioritization. The FPC tried to keep the bond cost as low as possible while addressing the top priorities conveyed through community surveys. The stadium field can be used by multiple groups, including soccer, football, marching band, and physical education (PE) classes.

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.

  • Is it accurate that HHS is not able to host track meets because of the condition of our existing track?

The HHS track is 22 years old. The average lifespan of a track in the PNW is around 12-15 years. It has deteriorated and has become inadequate for track meets. For this reason, it is not considered as a site for hosting, say, a district track meet. The track will be used this season. However, next season and future seasons are in question. It does not have the shock absorption, called G-Max, needed to prevent injury to track participants so the district will need to weigh the costs and benefits of continuing to host track meets versus moving home meets off site.

This question was answered during the live Bond Q&A webinar on January 28.
 

 

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