Juneau schools seek $10M bond for roofs, HVAC after state funding dries up

The Juneau School District is preparing to ask voters for $10 million in bonds to replace leaking roofs, upgrade heating systems, and install security cameras after state capital improvement funding essentially stopped flowing to the district.

The joint Assembly-School District Facilities Committee reviewed the bond package Monday. It would fund partial roof replacements at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé and Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School, a full roof at Sítʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School, district-wide security upgrades, and boiler replacements at several schools. Superintendent Hauser said the district has not been able to transfer operating funds into its facilities reserve for at least six or seven years because of budget constraints.

The Assembly advanced the potential bond package in May 2024, prioritizing school repairs over utility systems for the fall 2026 election. The district deferred the bond last year because of other tax increases. The Assembly must introduce any bond ordinance by June 8 and take final action by July 27 to place the measure on the October 6 municipal ballot. Public comment is still needed as part of the process.

The district receives $1 million annually from Juneau's 1 percent sales tax for deferred maintenance, but that money has been consumed by emergency repairs. Two schools suffered snow damage to roofs this winter, highlighting the maintenance crisis.

State capital improvement funding has essentially stopped. The district's recent project requests have ranked 60th to 80th on the state list, and the Department of Education has only been funding the first few projects, facilities director Germain said. The last state-funded project was the roof at Sítʼ Eetí Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School. The district has since completed roofs at two other schools using local funds while requesting reimbursement through the state capital improvement process.

Committee Chair Kelly asked whether the million dollars from the 1 percent sales tax makes up most of the district's ability to address maintenance outside of direct Assembly appropriations or bonds, given the lack of state funding. Hauser confirmed that assessment.

The proposed bond package includes roughly $4.5 million for roofs, $2 million for security and safety upgrades including cameras and entrance vestibules, and funding for boiler replacements and HVAC control upgrades. The security funding would update camera systems at schools to a standard level and establish a common platform for viewing security footage. Current systems use three different platforms, complicating monitoring.

The district has been awarded a federal Renew America Schools grant for HVAC controls at five schools, but uncertainty remains about whether full funding will materialize. Germain noted the uncertainty in federal funding and questions about what percentage will come to Juneau compared to other districts.

Mayor Beth Weldon noted that in reality, maintenance has operated on a crisis basis, with roof replacements happening when leaks get too bad. The JDHS roof has been leaking for quite a while into the band room, with visible water damage to sheetrock.

The district completed an energy audit in February as part of the federal grant application. The auditor identified needs for HVAC controls and LED lighting across the district.

Committee members requested updated cost estimates accounting for potential structural damage discovered during roof replacement, clarity on which projects might receive funding from other sources, and a revised capital improvement plan showing what the district would prioritize if the bond passes. The committee will meet again in April to finalize a bond recommendation to the full Assembly.

Juneau voters approved nearly $23 million in bonds in 2024 for public health and safety improvements.