School Bond Proposition

At a glance

• What: Ordinance 2026-35 would have put a general obligation bond of up to $16,000,000 for school capital improvements on the October 6, 2026 ballot: reroofing, districtwide security and safety upgrades, and boiler room work.
• Where it stands: On July 27, 2026 the Assembly voted 5-2 to refer it to the Assembly Finance Committee for the FY28 budget process, so it is not on the October ballot.
• Next: Finance Committee consideration during the FY28 budget process.

Debate

The City Manager recommended adoption. Rebecca Braun urged delay, fearing a crowded ballot (mill rate cap, 3% sales tax renewal) would sink every measure. Ms. Hughes-Skandijs moved adoption. Ms. Hall objected, citing Ms. Braun's rationale and the importance of stabilizing revenue. Deputy Mayor Smith cautioned about timing and that smaller measures could create a false impression that bonds meet future needs.

Deputy Mayor Smith offered Amendment 1 to refer to the Finance Committee. Ms. Hughes-Skandijs and Mr. Brooks objected: deferral lets school buildings deteriorate and the Assembly's duty is to let voters decide.

Mr. Kelly, alerted by a state Department of Education and Early Development employee, said the ballot language did not meet state requirements for bond debt reimbursement. Attorney Wright said meeting them needed added ballot information, state approval and a concurrent school board vote, none possible before the Friday ballot printing deadline; absent those steps the bonds could still be issued but would not get state reimbursement. Mr. Kelly then reluctantly supported referral.

• Amendment 1 (refer): carried 5-2 (yes: Smith, Adkison, Kelly, Hall, Weldon; no: Hughes-Skandijs, Brooks).
• Main motion as amended: carried 5-2, same split.

Other comment

On June 8, Ben McIntyre-Coble asked that the Juneau School District's $2.2 million security system contract with Verkada be discussed at a school board meeting ahead of the October bond measure.

Sources

• Assembly regular meeting minutes (Meeting 2026-15), July 27, 2026: https://juneauak.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13275,plainText=false)
• Assembly regular meeting minutes (Meeting 2026-12), June 8, 2026: https://juneauak.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=13131,plainText=false)

Log

2026-07-27 - Regular Assembly Meeting

Referred to the Finance Committee 5-2 after a ballot-language problem was raised.

2026-06-08 - Regular Assembly Meeting

Introduced on the consent agenda.