Facilities Planning Task Force (2026)

Purpose(s)/Goal:

Bellingham Public Schools convenes Facility Planning Task Force groups regularly (approximately every five years) to review enrollment trends, facility conditions and programmatic needs. The task force will analyze trends and develop recommendations for future use of district facilities.

Currently, Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) is experiencing a decline in enrollment due to lower birth rates, with a projected loss of approximately 1,000 students between 2018-2028.

The task force will:

• Review and analyze demographic data: enrollment projections and potential factors influencing demographic change.
• Review historical and current district capital facility planning documents.
• Develop recommendations for an elementary facilities master plan covering the years 2026–2036. This may include, but is not limited to, reconfiguration of attendance boundaries, consolidation of programs, or the potential closure of one or more elementary schools.
• Identify potential capital cost savings, investment needs, and budget implications associated with proposed changes to elementary facility usage.

Basis for Establishment: 

BPS is convening this task force in response to several significant and intersecting factors:

Master planning needs: The existing district facilities master plan requires an update that is consistent with community values and aligns with new demographic realities and fiscal conditions. BPS engages in facility planning regularly, with Facility Planning Task Forces convened most recently in 2012, 2017 and 2021 to review and revise the district’s long-term planning.

Long‑term enrollment decline: National, state and regional birth rates continue to fall, contributing to lower projected student populations. A district commissioned demographer has provided updated local projections indicating a sustained downward trend in Bellingham through 2035.

Financial pressures: Washington state’s inadequate K–12 funding model continues to challenge district operating budgets. BPS is planning its third consecutive year of reductions, requiring a reprioritization of dollars from programs/supports to unfunded needs.

Facility cost efficiency: Operating school buildings significantly below capacity is financially inefficient. The district must evaluate whether consolidating or closing schools is necessary to maintain responsible, sustainable budgeting.

Decision-Making Process: 

• Group will work toward consensus and develop recommendations to present to the superintendent.

Responsibilities: 

• Commit to meetings on the planned dates.
• Actively participate in the discussion.

Budget Implications:

No anticipated budget impact for this committee work. Members will thoughtfully consider future budgetary impacts for the community, efficient facility usage and potential future capital projects and bonds.