School Construction Is Booming Nationally — and Oregon and Washington Contractors Have Multiple Projects in the Bidding Pipeline Right Now
School districts issued $38 billion in construction bonds in FY 2025-2026 — the highest level since 2008 — funding a mix of new construction (35%), renovation (55%), and additions (10%), with the math indicating that bonds passed in late 2025 are now letting construction contracts in Q2-Q3 2026 and new construction bids will flow through Q4 2026 into Q1 2027. Washington state was among the top five states nationally for K-12 bond activity in 2025 at $3.4 billion, and Oregon’s bond-powered construction season is well underway — with the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program having awarded $494 million in matching funds to over 100 school districts since 2016, creating a powerful state incentive that has fueled a sustained wave of school construction across the state. On the Oregon coast, the Siuslaw School District in Florence authorized sending a $139 million bond to the May 2026 ballot — which would fund a new high school on land behind the current middle school, plus classroom additions and security improvements at Siuslaw Elementary, with the state prepared to award a $6 million matching grant if voters approve. Meanwhile the Hillsboro School District has placed a capital bond measure on the November 2026 ballot, Portland Public Schools has architectural and engineering services currently out to bid, and Beaverton School District has the Rock Creek Elementary School new bus loop project in active bidding — making the Portland metro school pipeline one of the most active in the state right now. Contractors interested in school construction work in both states should monitor ORPIN in Oregon and MRSC Rosters in Washington for current and upcoming school district solicitations, and contact their local Education Service District facilities offices directly to get on district bidding lists before the fall construction season begins.
