White Salmon council backs $78 million school bond and EP&O levy renewal

The White Salmon City Council on Jan. 7 adopted Resolution No. 2026-01-638 expressing support for the White Salmon Valley School District’s two ballot measures set for Feb. 10.

Board Chair Peter Harkema and Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn presented Proposition 1, a 20-year capital bond estimated at about $1.66 per $1,000 of assessed value (totaling approximately $77.8–$78 million), and Proposition 2, a three-year educational program and operations (EP&O) levy renewal estimated at about $1.61 per $1,000. Polkinghorn said the bond request is intended to renovate and replace aging facilities, consolidate schools into a one-campus, two-school model (K–6 and 7–12), improve safety and accessibility, modernize learning spaces, and position the District to qualify for “approximately $34 million in state construction assistance.”

Polkinghorn described the proposals as the product of a multi-year, community-led planning process and said ballots will be mailed Jan. 23. He characterized the design work as conceptual and said the bond number represents an upper limit: the District “intends to stay within that limit.” When asked about the future of the Whitson property, Polkinghorn said Whitson would remain in use for at least about three years after a successful bond and that community engagement on future use would likely occur within two to five years.

Councilors raised affordability and tax-burden concerns. Councilor Doug Rainbolt asked about relief for residents; Polkinghorn noted that Klickitat and Skamania counties offer property tax relief programs for qualifying seniors and individuals with disabilities and that the District has included that information in outreach materials. Mayor Marla Keethler asked whether the proposed measures fall outside the statewide $10 per $1,000 property tax cap; Polkinghorn said he did not know and staff committed to follow up with Council by email.

On requirements for passage, Polkinghorn said the bond requires 60% + 1 approval and a 40% voter-turnout validation based on the prior election; the EP&O levy requires a simple majority (50% + 1).

The Council then voted to adopt the resolution of support. The motion was moved by Councilor David Lindley and seconded by Councilor Morella Mora. The vote was recorded as Ben Giant — Aye; Patty Fink — Abstained; Doug Rainbolt — Aye; David Lindley — Aye (3 Aye, 0 No, 1 Abstain). No members of the public offered comment on the measures at the meeting.

In discussing the vote, Councilor Lindley provided a personal disclosure and said investment in public schools is important for the community’s future while acknowledging the financial burden the bond request represents. Board Chair Harkema reiterated the District’s interest in collaborating with the City on shared goals such as affordability and livability.

Next steps noted at the meeting: ballots mailed Jan. 23, election on Feb. 10, and City staff will follow up with Council on the question of the $10 per $1,000 tax-cap interaction with voter-approved measures. The resolution reflects the City’s formal expression of support; the City stated it will not engage in educational or promotional communications beyond what the law permits.