Wenatchee board sets tentative Nov. 3, 2026 bond election after presentation and public testimony

The Wenatchee School District Board of Directors voted to run a bond proposal and tentatively set the election date for Nov. 3, 2026, after receiving a financing presentation from bond underwriter Trevor Carlson and public comments from students and community advocates.

Carlson of Piper Sandler walked the board through timing options, historical passage and validation rates, and a sample financing model. Using a $290,000,000 illustrative bond in his model, Carlson showed a hypothetical total tax rate of $4.38 in calendar 2028 under the example he presented and emphasized that the figures were illustrative: "No decisions have been made at this time," he told the board.

Several public commenters urged the board to let voters decide. "Approving this bond is an investment, not just in our schools, but in the strength and success of our entire community. Please vote yes tonight to move this bond forward," said Juan Rodriguez, co-chair of the district's Vote Yes committee and a member of the facilities planning committee. Wenatchee High School student Melanie Tobar told the board that aging classrooms, unreliable HVAC, lack of windows and recent smoke intrusion have hurt students' ability to learn and said she supported the bond.

Board members discussed trade-offs: running an earlier election can lock in current interest rates and provide more time for outreach, but bonds in Washington must meet a 60% supermajority and a 40% turnout validation threshold — an element several board members flagged as a planning risk. Board members spoke in favor of an early, well‑planned campaign; one director noted that a failed November effort could still be retargeted in 2027 but that each campaign carries financial and political cost.

After discussion, a motion to approve running the bond proposal and to tentatively select Nov. 3, 2026, as the election date carried on a voice vote. The board chair reminded the public that the board still needs to finalize the bond's scope and the formal resolution that must be filed with the county auditor by the August filing deadline for a November 2026 election.

Next steps outlined by staff include finalizing the project scope and budget, refining tax‑rate sensitivity modeling, coordinating with the district's yes‑committee and preparing communications and outreach to voters. The bond underwriter and district staff said the district can stage issuance over multiple years and can adjust sale timing to manage tax‑rate stability.