Wenatchee School District narrows bond-election dates as planners weigh SCAP, datacenter impacts

Superintendent Corey opened the September board workshop by saying the district would “spend some time today, focusing on 2 specific areas” — a renewed bond-planning timeline and an equity audit review. The district and board members then spent the first hour discussing potential dates for a bond election, financial validation work, partnerships with local and corporate stakeholders, and community outreach steps the district will take before placing a bond on the ballot.

Board members and staff said the choice of election date is the most immediate decision the district must make to preserve planning windows and to manage budget, construction and community-engagement tasks. “We have that slated here on the next slide so we can go back through that, again,” Corey said while reviewing the district’s planning checklist. The board discussed three election-date options that staff presented: a special February 10, 2026 election (which would require a bond resolution by Dec. 12, 2025); the Nov. 3, 2026 general election (resolution filing in August 2026); and Feb. 9, 2027 (resolution by Dec. 11, 2026).

Why it matters: the district expects a large, multi-faceted bond effort that hinges on outside funding, assessed-value forecasts and community buy-in. Board members repeatedly raised turnout and validation concerns — including the district’s need to meet turnout/validation thresholds and to understand how assessed-value changes tied to major projects could affect tax burden calculations.

Discus…