East Valley School Board Approves Placing School Bond on February Ballot

The East Valley School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to place a $220M bond on the February 2026 ballot. This decision comes after months of research and analysis led by the district's Facilities Improvement Team (FIT) and engagement with members of business and the community.

The proposed bond measure will fund the replacement of the district's aging high school and middle school - both built over six decades ago. These buildings will be simultaneously constructed adjacent to the current sites ensuring students can stay on campus throughout construction without the disruption or cost of relocating to temporary classrooms. 

The estimated investment will cost approximately $1.96/$1,000 of assessed property value - a rate that reflects careful financial planning and local stewardship. The four-year capital levy, with a cost of  $0.73/$1,000 will expire in January 2026. Thus, the bond projects will mean an increase of $1.23/$1,000 overall. The District will also allocate the $80 million it receives from the state's School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) to address critical infrastructure, safety, and security improvements at the five elementary schools, allowing East Valley to keep its schools safe, functional, and prepared for the future.

The bond is about more than buildings. It's about making sure our students are learning in safe, efficient facilities designed to help every learner reach their full potential. It's about equipping tomorrow's leaders and building a stronger East Valley community - together. 

Over the coming months, the district will connect with parents, business leaders, seniors, and community members to provide clear information, answer questions, and to listen. It's our community's investment - and your voice matters.  

We invite you to join the conversation and learn how this protects what matters most: the future of East Valley.

If not now, when? If not us, who? Let’s Bond 2026!

How do schools get the money they need to educate all students?

It’s a complex process.

In Washington State, the foundation of school funding is set by state law. The state is legally required to fully fund what’s known as “basic education” through a funding formula called the prototypical model. This model outlines what the Legislature believes it should cost to provide a basic education to every student.

However, the funding provided by the state often falls short of the actual costs required to run a school district — including day-to-day operations, building maintenance, and long-term facility needs. To make up the difference, local communities step in with funding through levies and bonds.

There are three main types of school levies: Capital/Technology, Enrichment (also known as EP&O – Educational Programs and Operations), and Transportation. Levies help cover essential educational programs and services not fully funded by the state. A replacement levy is a renewal of an existing enrichment levy that is set to expire. Think of it like renewing a magazine subscription — levies must be reapproved by voters every few years to continue. When a district requests a replacement levy, it usually means they are asking to maintain the current level of funding, not increase it. In most cases, the tax rate remains the same as before.

Bonds are used for larger capital projects. Since the state does not fund construction or renovation of school buildings — including new schools, major repairs, playgrounds, athletic facilities, updated roofs, windows, and more — districts like East Valley must pass local school bonds to pay for these improvements. Bonds are repaid over time, similar to a home mortgage, and must be approved by voters. When a bond passes, the state may provide some matching funds, but the primary responsibility still falls on the local community.

The easiest way to remember the difference between a bond and a levy is: Bonds are for building and levies are for learning. Bonds and levies provide schools with funds that must be used for specific purposes.

A levy is a local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue to fund programs and services that the state does not pay for as part of "basic education." Because the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual costs to operate a school district, districts often use levy funds to hire additional staff, or for student programming and services that are underfunded or not funded by the state. Some of the many things that levies help to fund may include: extracurricular activities, special education, transportation, food service, operations, grounds and maintenance, preschool, and other activities.

A bond is a long-term investment that authorizes the district to purchase property for schools, construct new schools, or modernize existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 12-20 years.

Both bonds and levies require voter approval, but in Washington, bonds require a higher majority of voter approval than levies.

1. Bonds require a supermajority to pass (60%)

2. Levies require a simple majority to pass (50%+1)

No problem! If you're interested in registering to vote, you have several options:

• Pick up a form at our district office | 3830 N Sullivan Rd, Bldg 1 | Spokane Valley, WA 99216

• Register online here

• Print and mail-in (forms available here)

• Register in person at the Spokane County Elections Office | 1033 W Gardner Ave | Spokane, WA 99260

To register, you must be:

• A citizen of the United States

• A legal resident of Washington state

• At least 18 years old by election day

Learn more about elections at the Spokane County Elections website.