Bond Project Update: August 2025

Thank you, voters!

In 2019, our voters approved a School Construction Bond to build new schools and renovate and expand old ones. Bond funding is kept separate from the rest of the district’s budget, including our levies that need to be renewed every four years. As the saying goes: Bonds are for Building, Levies are for Learning. Learn more at bethelsd.org/bond

Completed projects funded by the 2019 School Construction Bond

• Challenger High School Phase II Expansion
• Expedition Elementary
• Graham-Kapowsin High School Expansion
• Katherine G. Johnson Elementary
• New Naches Trail Elementary
• Turf fields at Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools

New Bethel High School (2026)

Thank you, voters! At almost 300,000 square feet, the New Bethel High School is a massive project. Exterior brickwork is going up on the building, the student parking lot has been paved, and they are working on finishes in the athletics area, including the gym floor! Construction on the New Bethel High School broke ground in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Evergreen Elementary (Fall 2025)

The much needed expansion of Evergreen Elementary is nearing completion. The bond-funded project added 10,000 square feet to the school, which includes 10 additional classrooms, a new commons area, and a fully renovated special education suite. It is scheduled to be open this fall.

“We are so thankful for the support of our community and voters,” said Evergreen Principal Lisa Whitmire. “Our new school is really going to reflect the pride and purpose that our community and our staff and students have in our school.”

What will happen to the old Naches Trail Elementary?

Evergreen students and staff spent the past year in the old Naches Trail building while the Evergreen remodel took place. The old Naches Trail is now being evaluated for future use. Ideas under consideration include office space, training areas, and/or a community center. Since the district utilized state matching funds to build the new Naches Trail, due to state law, the old building can’t be used as a permanent school site. As there was money in the bond to tear down the old Naches Trail, that money would be used instead for any construction/remodeling projects at the site.

NEW Cedarcrest Middle School (2028)

Originally planned as a modernization and expansion under the 2019 Bond, careful planning and additional state funding will now allow for a full rebuild of Cedarcrest Middle School.

Built in 1982, Cedarcrest is one of the district’s older schools. At just under 88,000 square feet, it is comparable in size to our modern elementary schools and no longer meets our community’s needs.

The new three-story building will be nearly 123,000 square feet, featuring 39 classrooms and capacity for 850 students, up from the current 700.

Construction is set to begin in summer 2026, coinciding with Bethel High School students moving into their new building. Cedarcrest students will temporarily relocate to the old BHS for two years.

“We’ve been working closely with Principal Hans Nelson,” said Director of Construction and Planning Sara Coccia. “I’ve actually been out to the old high school site several times with him to talk about specific areas of the building that he’d like to use, and areas of the building that he’s not going to use. We’re working with our team to try and make sure that there’s certain areas of the building we can close off so that he is able to better utilize that space for his students.”

The new Cedarcrest is scheduled to open in the fall of 2028.

“I think it’s really going to be something our community can be proud of,” Principal Nelson said.