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Kennewick board signals early levy planning; schedules preliminary outreach and survey review
Summary
Board members asked for early, public-facing levy planning and preliminary outreach; staff confirmed survey timing (week of Jan. 27) and mid-March results, and discussed the Dec. 2025 filing deadline for a potential February 2026 levy.
Board members at the Kennewick School District retreat emphasized early and transparent levy planning, and asked staff to hold preliminary public conversations and outreach to prepare voters well in advance of any ballot measure.
Superintendent Dr. Pierce and board members discussed the timetable for a possible property-tax levy to appear on a February 2026 ballot. Staff said the legal filing deadline for a February 2026 levy is December 2025 and described the typical backward planning process: develop levy scenarios after the state budget is finalized, model rates and programs, then prepare resolutions for formal board action.
Staff confirmed the district’s external polling and focus work: a community survey administered by Sonar Insights was scheduled for the week of Jan. 27, with a results report expected about two to six weeks later (district staff estimated mid-March for a report). Board members said an April study session could be used for preliminary levy discussion and community outreach planning even if the final levy amount is not yet known. Members stressed the importance of transparent messaging to help the public understand how the levy number is developed and why the district might pursue a measure.
Board members also discussed using ongoing community touchpoints (PTO presentations, parent nights and study sessions) to start public education. Staff advised that sharing preliminary scenarios and the process earlier allows time to adjust strategy before formal resolutions and filing deadlines.
No vote or formal levy resolution was adopted at the retreat. Board members directed staff to include a preliminary levy conversation at an April study session and to return with survey results, enrollment data and suggested outreach strategies for board review.
