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White Salmon council endorses school district’s $77.8 million bond and operations levy ahead of Feb. 10 vote
Summary
The White Salmon City Council adopted a resolution supporting the White Salmon Valley School District’s Proposition 1 (capital bond up to $77.8 million) and Proposition 2 (three‑year EP&O levy renewal), citing facility needs and state funding leverage; the resolution passed 3-0-1 with one abstention.
The White Salmon City Council on Jan. 7 adopted Resolution No. 2026‑01‑638 expressing the city’s support for the White Salmon Valley School District’s Feb. 10 special election measures: a capital bond of up to $77.8 million and a three‑year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy renewal.
Board Chair Peter Harkema and Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn presented the measures, which the district says would consolidate aging facilities into a two‑school campus (K–6 and 7–12), modernize learning spaces, improve safety and accessibility, and position the district to receive about $34 million in state construction assistance. Polkinghorn said ballots will be mailed Jan. 23 and urged community participation.
The bond was described by district staff as an upper limit; Polkinghorn said the plans are at a conceptual level and the $77.8 million figure reflects the district’s requested maximum. He told the council that if the bond passes the Whitson property would remain in use for “at least approximately three years” while the district and community consider future uses.
Council members pressed district officials on fiscal and community impacts. Councilor Doug Rainbolt raised affordability concerns for residents; Superintendent Polkinghorn pointed to property tax relief programs available in Klickitat and Skamania counties for qualifying seniors and individuals with disabilities and said the district has emphasized that information in outreach materials. Councilor Patty Fink said she intends to vote in support personally but expressed concern about cumulative tax burdens on the city, safe routes to a consolidated campus, and the district’s downtown land holdings as they relate to affordable housing.
Mayor Marla Keethler asked about statewide tax limits; Polkinghorn said he did not know whether voter‑approved bonds and levies fall under the $10 per $1,000 property tax cap and staff agreed to follow up by email. Polkinghorn also summarized the vote requirements: the capital bond requires approval by at least 60% of voters plus one and a 40% turnout validation based on the prior election; the EP&O levy requires a simple majority.
After discussion, Councilor David Lindley moved and Councilor Morella Mora seconded a motion to adopt the resolution. The record shows the motion passed with three ayes and one abstention (Giant – Aye; Fink – Abstained; Rainbolt – Aye; Lindley – Aye). The council’s city attorney reminded members that adopting a resolution in support of a ballot measure is a narrow exception under state election law and cautioned against using public facilities for advocacy outside that exception; Mayor Keethler confirmed the city will not engage in promotional communications on the measures.
The district’s presentation emphasized a multi‑year, community‑led planning process and framed the proposals as investments in long‑term operational efficiency and student safety. Superintendent Polkinghorn summarized priorities for the district as modernizing facilities and ensuring educational continuity: “first things first,” he said.
The next procedural steps are the mailing of ballots on Jan. 23 and the Feb. 10 special election. The council did not take further action beyond adopting the resolution of support.
