Bond Project Update: October 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
- Evergreen Elementary Modernization and 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! Construction on the New Bethel High School broke ground in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. 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 the new turf field and track look amazing!
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.
Previous bonds and projects they funded
2006 Bond
In 2006, voters approved a bond that built Liberty Middle, Frederickson Elementary, and Nelson Elementary; rebuilt Spanaway Elementary, Clover Creek Elementary, and Shining Mountain Elementary; expanded Spanaway Middle School; modernized Spanaway Lake High School; built our Central Kitchen and Transportation center; as well as improvements around the district to technology, safety and security, HVAC, roofing, fields, grounds, parking lots, bus loops, septic systems, cafeterias, and more.
2001 Bond
In 2001, voters approved a bond that built Graham-Kapowsin High School and Cougar Mountain Middle School, rebuilt Kapowsin Elementary, modernized Thompson Elementary and Spanaway Middle School, acquired sites for future schools, as well as heating/ventilation, safety, roofing and other projects across the district.
