Frequently Asked Questions
Wenatchee High School & HVAC Replacement Bond – November 2026
General Information
What is a school bond? A school bond is a voter-approved loan that allows the district to fund large capital projects such as building construction, renovation, and major equipment purchases. Bonds are repaid over time through property taxes.
When is the election? November 3, 2026
What percentage is needed to pass? School bonds in Washington require 60% voter approval to pass.
What is the total project cost? Estimated $372.8 million
What is the proposed bond amount? Estimated $295 million (after deducting $79 million in state matching funds)
What is the tax rate? The bond is projected to keep the tax rate flat, with a $1.48 increase per $1,000 of assessed property value over a 15-year term. This is subject change once the board passes a resolution in August 2026 and the amount of the project is locked in.
What’s Included
What would the bond fund? Two major projects:
- New Wenatchee High School – Replace the current 50+ year old building with failing core systems
- HVAC Replacement at Seven Schools – Replace heating and cooling systems operating beyond their designed lifespan
Why these specific projects? These are capital projects with decades-long lifespans. The current WHS building and HVAC systems across the district have reached the end of their functional life and require replacement.
Can bond funds be used for other purposes? No. Washington State law restricts bond funds to construction and infrastructure projects only. These funds cannot be used for:
- Administrator salaries
- Educational programs
- Operating expenses
- Staff costs
- Day-to-day operations
Wenatchee High School Facilities
How old is Wenatchee High School? Built in 1972 – over 50 years old
What is its current condition? Independent assessment score: 49.65 out of 100 (rated “Poor”)
What systems are failing?
Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation:
- Original 1970s equipment – 50+ years old
- Industry lifespan: 15-20 years
- Replacement parts no longer available
- Not designed for wildfire smoke or extreme heat
- Emergency repairs increasingly frequent
Plumbing:
- Original 1970s galvanized pipes
- Corrosion and mineral buildup
- Reduced water flow, increasing failures
- Brown, yellow colored water
Electrical & Technology:
- Undersized system for modern demands
- Limited outlets in classrooms
- Phone systems obsolete with communication dead zones
- Cannot support modern educational technology
Building Design & Safety:
- Outdated safety and fire systems
- Many classrooms lack windows and natural light
- Poor acoustics from temporary walls
- Cannot accommodate modern career and technical education
Is WHS overcrowded? Yes. Current capacity: 104% overcrowded
- Built for 1,400 students (grades 10-12)
- Now serves 1,900 students (grades 9-12)
- Using 12 portables for expanded classroom space
- Multiple sheds for storage
Building vs. Renovating
Why build new instead of renovating? A 15-month community study by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee evaluated three options. New construction makes sense because:
Renovation Problems:
- Core systems embedded throughout building (plumbing in concrete)
- Requires disruptive multi-year construction with students in building
- Requires purchase of additional portables
- Costs nearly as much as new construction (HVAC alone: $79 million)
- Only extends building life 15-20 years
- Still leaves building overcrowded and poorly designed
New Construction Benefits:
- 50+ year lifespan
- Built for modern education from day one
- Energy-efficient (lower operating costs)
- Minimal disruption – students stay in current building during construction
- Purpose-built spaces for career and technical education
- Better use of taxpayer investment over time
HVAC Replacement
Which schools need HVAC replacement? Seven schools across the district have heating and cooling systems that are:
- Operating beyond designed lifespan
- Breaking down more frequently
- Costing more in repairs and energy
- Disrupting student learning when they fail
Why replace systems that still work? Replacing systems now, while they still function, costs less than waiting for complete failure and emergency replacement.
Costs & Funding
What will this cost me? The bond is projected to keep the tax rate flat, with a $1.48 increase per $1,000 of assessed property value.
What are state matching funds? The district qualifies for approximately $79 million in state matching funds – nearly 20% of the project cost. This means:
- State pays a significant portion
- Local taxpayers pay less than full project cost
- These funds are only available for capital construction
Why can’t you use operating funds? Washington State law separates operating and capital funding:
Operating Budget (Levies):
- Pays for day-to-day operations
- Teachers, staff, programs, supplies, utilities
- Cannot be used for construction
Capital Budget (Bonds):
- Pays only for construction and major infrastructure
- Cannot be used for operating expenses or staff
Think of your household budget: monthly income pays for groceries and utilities, but you need special financing for major home construction or a new roof.
How long would I pay the tax? 15 years
Maintenance & Timing
Have you neglected the buildings? No. Maintenance teams work year-round keeping buildings safe and functional. The district invests millions annually in upkeep. However, maintenance cannot stop aging or extend systems beyond their engineered lifespan.
Think of it like your roof: You can maintain it perfectly, but after 25-30 years, even the best-maintained roof needs complete replacement.
Why now?
- Building systems are actively failing
- State matching funds are available now
- Construction costs increase 6-7.5% annually (waiting one year adds $22-28 million)
- Planned replacement costs less than emergency response
- District will be fined hundreds of thousands annually for non-compliance with Clean Energy Act standards
What if we don’t act?
Continuing Costs:
- Emergency repairs become more frequent and expensive
- Annual fines for non-compliance with Clean Energy Act
- Higher energy bills from older, inefficient systems
- Eventually, complete system failure requires emergency replacement at higher cost
The Reality:
- Problems don’t go away – they get more expensive
- Planned replacement costs less than emergency response
- State matching funds may not always be available
- Construction costs increase over time due to inflation
Enrollment & Planning
Why build when enrollment is dropping? Even with projected decline due to lower birth rates, WHS is currently 104% overcrowded. A new facility would be:
- Properly sized for projected enrollment
- Provide the space quality and functionality today’s building lacks
- Built for modern educational needs
Construction Process
Where would students go during construction? Students stay in the current building. The new facility would be built on the current track and practice field area. Once completed, students move into the new building – not a construction zone.
What happens to the old building? It would be demolished and replaced with the relocated track, playing fields, and parking.
How long would construction take? Approximately 3 years.
Accountability & Oversight
How can I be sure the money won’t be wasted? Strict legal and financial safeguards ensure proper use of bond funds:
Legal Requirements:
- Bond money is legally restricted for construction and infrastructure only
- Cannot be redirected to other purposes
- Cannot be used for salaries, programs, or operating expenses
Financial Oversight:
- All expenditures subject to State Auditor’s Office audits
- Public reporting of all bond expenditures
- School Board approval required for significant changes
- Dedicated stakeholder bond oversight committee
Our Track Record: The district’s last bond in 2014 (New Washington Elementary and Modernized Lincoln Elementary) came in under budget by $3 million. Those funds were then invested back into school safety and security systems.
Our Commitment: The district’s priority is student safety and security – building functional, safe spaces for students to thrive, not creating an unnecessarily elaborate facility. This includes:
- Secure building designs
- Properly sized classrooms with windows and natural light
- Functional and reliable mechanical systems
- Safe, dedicated spaces for all students
Voting Information
Where can I vote? Voting information is available at the Chelan County Elections website.
How do I register to vote? Voter registration information is available at the Chelan County Elections website.
What is the ballot return deadline? 8:00 PM on November 3, 2026
More Information
Where can I learn more?
- District’s Informational Website: wenatcheeschools.org/facilities or yesforwenatcheeschools.org
- Email: info@wenatcheeschools.org
- Phone: (509) 663-8161
Can I tour the facilities? The District will make tours available in the spring.
