Yakima School Board authorizes $200 million bond measure for April 28, 2026 ballot

The Yakima School District Board voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to authorize a ballot proposition for up to $200,000,000 in general-obligation bonds to finance rebuilding two aging elementary schools and district-wide capital improvements.

Board members said the measure, if approved by voters April 28, 2026, would fund demolition and replacement of Hoover and Garfield elementaries, modernize buildings, upgrade HVAC and roofing, improve playgrounds for ADA access, and make athletic-facility repairs and upgrades. CFO Jake Cooper told the board the district estimates a state construction match of approximately $20,400,000.

"The proposition authorizes the rebuild and refurbish of Hoover and Garfield, modernize buildings and make other capital improvements," Cooper said. He told the board the district worked with bond counsel to craft 75-word ballot language required for voter materials.

Public commenters at the meeting urged the board to move the measure forward. Ruby Aguilar, chair of the social work department at Heritage University and a Hoover parent, described crowded, outdated classrooms and portables she called "decades old," and asked the board to "please consider passing a bond to have Hoover built new." Phil English urged inclusion of stadium resurfacing and track repairs in the bond, citing track delamination and an estimated $3.5 million annual economic impact from hosted events. Parents and staff speakers, including Tamitha Wilkes and Shelly McLean, said Garfield and Hoover lack spaces such as sensory rooms and adequate play areas and asked the board to let voters decide.

Board discussion touched on local tax climate, voter turnout rules, and prioritization. Board members noted that Washington bond measures require a 60% approval threshold and a separate 40% validation of prior-year general-election turnout; the board heard that low November turnout can help validation but that passing a bond is always difficult.

Several board members and staff emphasized ADA and Title IX priorities in the proposal. "We're addressing Title IX compliance and ADA access across our playgrounds and sports facilities," a director said during deliberations.

After questions from the board and public, a motion to approve the resolution authorizing a bond measure on the April ballot carried by voice vote (4—0). The board recorded the motion as approved; staff will proceed with election preparation and informational outreach to voters.

What happens next: staff and bond counsel will finalize ballot language and voter materials and present follow-up information to the board; if the measure is placed on the April ballot, voters will decide whether to authorize issuance of the bonds. The board did not adopt a campaign plan in the meeting; any campaign committee would operate separately but the district said it will provide factual information to voters.

Vote at a glance: The board approved the resolution authorizing the April 28, 2026 ballot proposition by a 4—0 vote.

Funding details cited at the meeting: bond authorization up to $200,000,000; estimated state match ~$20,400,000; project examples in the resolution included full rebuilds of Hoover and Garfield (both shown in district facility surveys to be among the lowest-scoring buildings for condition).