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Board ratifies YPTA contract, certifies excess taxes and directs staff to prepare 2026 bond resolution
Summary
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Yakima School Board voted unanimously to ratify a 2025–27 YPTA collective-bargaining agreement, certified 2025 excess property taxes, approved several governance policy ratings, and directed the superintendent to prepare a 2026 capital bond election resolution after a detailed facilities and tax‑impact presentation.
The Yakima School Board on Nov. 5 approved several formal actions affecting district finances and labor relations, and directed staff to prepare a potential 2026 capital bond election resolution.
Ratification of labor agreement: The board voted to ratify the 2025–2027 collective bargaining agreement between the Yakima Professional Technical Association (YPTA) and Yakima School District. The motion was moved and seconded and a roll call recorded Director Walker, Director Rice, Vice President Graciela Villanueva and President Beckett voting 'Aye.' The motion passed 4–0.
Tax certification: The board approved Resolution 03.25.26 to certify 2025 excess property taxes following a finance presentation explaining OSPI levy authority and levy-transmission procedures to the county. Roll call recorded four 'Aye' votes and the motion passed 4–0.
2026 capital bond: CFO Mr. Cooper presented modeling for a possible $200 million bond package (plus state match) to address long-term capital needs including proposed rebuilds for Hoover and Garfield (estimated at about $85.2M and about $83M, respectively, in the presentation), Title IX and ADA upgrades, HVAC, roof replacements, playgrounds and turf/track work. Cooper described modeling assumptions (assessed-valuation growth, interest-rate scenarios, and splitting sales into two tranches) and presented a tax-impact illustration: roughly $0.80 per $1,000 of assessed value, which the presentation translated to about $246 annually (about $20 per month) for the illustrative $200M package. After discussion, the board voted 4–0 to direct the superintendent or designee to prepare an election resolution for a 2026 capital bond measure; this action directs staff to prepare the ballot language and materials but does not place a measure on the ballot itself.
Policy governance votes: The board also approved several governance ratings, including Asset Protection (Policy 1000.2.5) and global end statements (Policy 1000.1.0, goals 1, 2 and 4) after discussion about adding rationale for 'increased emphasis' survey ratings. All policy ratings motions were carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.
Why it matters: The directives and certifications set the district on a path to develop formal bond materials, and the labor agreement ratification finalizes bargaining terms for a multi-year period. The bond modeling frames potential taxpayer impacts and a timeline for further board decisions.
Next steps: Staff will prepare an election resolution and further materials for board consideration; if the board later votes to put a bond on the ballot, voters would decide the measure in a future election.
