After more than three years of study, facility reviews, and community input, Wenatchee voters will be asked this fall to consider a bond measure focused on two priorities: replacing most of Wenatchee High School and improving air quality in schools across the district.

On June 23, the Wenatchee School Board voted to place a $275 million bond measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, the measure would fund construction of a new Wenatchee High School on the existing campus and complete HVAC upgrades at schools throughout the district.

The proposal follows 15 months of work by the district's Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee, a group of community members, parents, staff, and local leaders who reviewed facility assessments, construction costs, educational programming needs, and long-term building plans before making a recommendation to the School Board.

"This recommendation came from a community process that took a hard look at our facilities and our students' and community’s needs," Superintendent Kory Kalahar said. "The committee focused on what would have the greatest impact for students and provide the best long-term value for our community. Their recommendation was clear: replace most of Wenatchee High School and address critical HVAC needs across the district."

The committee's recommendation reflects challenges that have been building for years.

Wenatchee High School was designed in the early 1970s for approximately 1,400 students in grades 10 through 12. Today, the school serves about 1,900 students in grades 9 through 12. Many classrooms were designed using an open-concept model that has since been divided into smaller spaces. Some Career and Technical Education programs are housed in portable classrooms, and electrical systems were built for a different era of technology.

The building's HVAC system is original to the school and has reached the end of its useful life. Replacement parts are no longer manufactured, making repairs increasingly difficult and expensive.

The bond proposal would replace most of the high school while preserving and repairing existing community spaces including the gymnasiums, pool, and auditorium. Building the new school on the current site would allow students to continue attending classes in the existing building during construction.

The measure would also fund heating, ventilation, and air conditioning improvements at schools throughout the district. Many of the district's systems were installed before wildfire smoke events and extended periods of extreme heat became common in North Central Washington.

Committee members reviewed multiple options, including renovation of the existing high school. Ultimately, they concluded that constructing a new building would provide the most functional learning environment and the best long-term value.

The district expects to receive up to $83 million in state matching funds to help pay for the project, reducing the amount that would need to be funded locally.

Community research conducted in 2024 found that updated schools and facilities ranked among the top concerns identified by parents, residents, and community leaders. The study also found strong interest in understanding how funds would be spent and how facility improvements would benefit students.

The district will continue sharing information about the bond proposal throughout the summer and fall, including project details, community presentations, facility information, and opportunities for residents to ask questions and learn more before ballots are mailed in October.

Learn More About The Bond