Voters Will Decide 373 School Bond Issues

School districts across the United States are seeking $53 billion in funding for capital projects this November.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Administration

Screen-print poster illustration of a red brick schoolhouse facade in a vintage, nostalgic art style. — Voters in districts nationwide will weigh in on 373 school bond measures this November, with $53 billion in potential funding for critical facility infrastructure upgrades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In your community, is now a good time to approve tax increases for school construction?

In the November 2026 election, voters across the United States will cast ballots on 373 school bond issues. If fully approved, these measures would authorize a combined borrowing total of $53 billion for district construction and infrastructure needs.

Why it matters

Districts require these large capital outlays because the average U.S. school building is nearly 50 years old, and many schools are seeking to harden facilities following violent incidents. Borrowing against future property tax revenue allows these districts to bundle necessary repairs into comprehensive projects.

Proposed bonds total $53 billion to address an average U.S. school building age of 50 years. Measures for secure entrances grew from 60 in 2018 to 580 in 2024.

The players

Yakima school district

This school district is a local education authority in Washington that successfully secured $200 million for infrastructure via a spring 2026 bond.

The details

Districts typically repay these bonds over decades by leveraging their local property tax base. The Yakima school district serves as a recent example of this process, having successfully passed a $200 million construction bond in the spring of 2026.

In 2018, successful school bonds reached an 82% approval rate.
A surge of school bond borrowing occurred in 2022.
By 2024, the successful school bond approval rate fell to 75%.
The Yakima school district bond measure passed in spring 2026.
Voters will decide on 373 school bond issues in November 2026.

Culture Shift

The rise in safety and security-focused bond measures observed between 2018 and 2024 reflects a growing priority in district capital planning following recent violent incidents. The upcoming 2026 ballot measures continue the pattern of increased district investment in physical security infrastructure.

Residents may see changes in their local property tax assessments or rates as districts move to pay back approved bond debt over the coming decades. Voters should review their specific district ballot to understand how these proposed projects will influence their local tax burden and school facilities.

The takeaway

Voters should carefully examine the specific projects included in their district's bond proposal to understand the long-term tax implications. These construction investments represent significant shifts in how local communities fund and prioritize the safety of their aging school facilities.