Bond Information
April 22, 2025
On February 20, 2025 the Okanogan School Board approved a proposal asking voters to approve a $14 million bond on the April 22nd ballot to fund critical improvements to our schools. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize and enhance our learning spaces for students, staff, and the entire community.
Why This Matters
State Matching Funds: If the bond passes, the state will provide an additional $28 million in funding, but only if the bond is approved locally. Long-Term Impact: Funds to modernize can only be sought every 30 years—this is our chance to make a lasting difference!
Lower Maintenance Costs: A complete modernization project will reduce future repair costs and keep our facilities in top shape for decades.
What the Bond Will Fund
Classroom & Indoor Space Modernization
• HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting, insulation
• Intercoms, roofing, furnishings, stages
• Safety improvements, entryways, flooring, windows, bathroom stalls
• Kitchen equipment, fire & sprinkler system upgrades
Outdoor & Facility Enhancements
• Parking lot expansion & repairs, retaining wall fixes
• New fencing where needed, covered play areas (will be used for classroom space during construction phase)
• Athletic field improvements (baseball, softball, track, tennis, football, soccer, and wrestling)
• Outdoor lighting enhancements
Optimized Use of District Property
• Enhancements around Dawson Gym on Tyee Street, especially more parking!
• Development of athletic facilities west of VG
What It Means for Taxpayers
Projected Tax Rate – The estimated rate for the new bond is $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Current Rate – Taxpayers currently pay $1.76 per $1,000, which includes:
- $0.70 per $1,000 for a Capital Projects levy
- $1.06 per $1,000 for the current bond, which will be paid off in 2025
No Overlap – The Capital Projects levy will not be renewed if the bond passes, ensuring the tax rate stays nearly the same while fully funding necessary repairs and improvements.
Timeline
December 2025 – Current bond paid off
July 2026 – Construction begins
April 2026 – New bond collections begin
2027 Fall Construction Scheduled to be completed
Key Points of the Bond
· $48 Million in total projects
o $28 Million in State Matching Funding – We only receive this money if the bond is approved!
o $14 Million in Local match with the passing of the 20-year bond
o $6 Million in Small Schools Modernization Grant
· Tax Rate Will Not Increase
o The estimated $1.75 per $1,000 replaces the current $1.76, with the Capital Projects Levy ending and the current bond expiring in 2025.
o Districts ask for set amount of money for bonds and levies. When property values increase, rates decrease. The District cannot and will not collect anything more than was originally approved by voters.
o No Overlap in Taxes – The current Capital Projects levy will not be requested by the board this year, if the bond passes, and the current bond on the tax rolls will be paid off at the end of 2025, meaning tax rates for capital improvements will go down slightly.
· High Priority Items
o All roofs are being repaired with high quality, proven materials that will last
o HVAC systems replaced with new systems
o Classrooms Modernized – Electrical, cabinetry, and furniture
o Bathrooms modernized
o Plumbing repaired – Pipes and fixtures
o Flooring and windows replaced
o Improved facilities for PE and Recess at both buildings as well as for Sports: New football/soccer field, new track facility, new lighting, improved wrestling room, improved weightroom, new tennis courts, and baseball and softball fields separated
o Additional Parking added around Dawson Gym and at VG
o Safety Improvements
§ New entryways at each building
§ New Intercom systems
§ Improved outside lighting
· Optimized Use of District Property
o All district property west of VG will be used
o Tyee Street next to Dawson gym to be vacated and able to be used for parking and athletics
o Parking lot improvements
o Retaining wall at VG to be repaired to maintain integrity of wall and property lines
o With new lighting being added, the community will also be able to enjoy the outdoor facilities, especially the track.
o Parking is a huge issue at both facilities – A heavy emphasis will be placed on ensuring more parking is created at both sites wherever possible!
· A job worth doing, is a job worth doing right
o The bond will allow us to address all necessary repairs and upgrades that will last another 20-30 years without having to request capital project levies for facilities in the foreseeable future.
· Long-Term Savings – Modernizing now lowers maintenance costs in the immediate future.
· Why is this needed now?
o A majority of the roofs are starting to fail and leak
§ Material used at Dawson and HS was a poor product back in 2007 and the company who installed went bankrupt.
o Construction costs only increase each year
o The District qualifies for a high rate of state construction matching funds ($28M)
o The District does not have funds to repair high cost repairs such as HVAC and roofing
§ Without the bond, the district will have to rely on sporadic grants and capital project levies, leaving most of the high need repairs in their current failing state
o Modernized schools improve safety, health, pride, and ultimately increase the value of our community attracting and maintaining people here!
REMEMBER TO VOTE APRIL 22nd
For more information, contact Superintendent Steve Quick at squick@oksd.wednet.edu or call him at 509-422-3629.
Additional information can also be found by contacting Citizens for Okanogan Public Schools by emailing Jason Brown at jasontunecity@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Bond?
A bond is a long-term investment that funds capital projects like new school construction, property acquisition, and building modernization. Bonds are paid back over time with interest from property taxes for terms that are usually 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. The proposed bond measure for April 22, 2025 is proposed to be a 20-year bond.
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Is there financial assistance available for property taxes?
Low-income seniors and people with disabilities, or other circumstances, may qualify for tax relief, exemption, or deferral.
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When is the current election?
April 22, 2025. Ballots must be postmarked by this date if mailed or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on election day.
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If I don't want to mail in my ballot, where can I drop it off?
You can drop off your ballot at the following ballot drop box locations:
Okanogan County Auditor
149 3rd Ave
Okanogan, WA 98840
12 Tribes Casino
28968 US-97
Omak, WA 98841
Omak Police Station
8 N Ash
Omak, WA 98841
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Are these new taxes?
The existing bond will be paid off in 2025 and collections for the new bond will not start until 2026.
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How much will the Bond cost taxpayers?
Initial Estimated Tax Rate – The estimated tax rate for the new bond is $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. As the value of assessed value in our community goes up each year, the tax rate declines. The amount the district collects is a set amount. The rate is only affected by the assessed property value.
Comparable Cost – Currently we are paying on the last year on a 20-year bond at a rate of $1.06/$1,000 and a Capital Projects Levy of $.70/$1,000 of assessed property value for a combined rate of $1.76 per $1,000. The district does NOT plan to ask voters to renew the current capital projects levy if this bond measure is approved.
What will the Bond pay for?
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Classroom & Indoor Space Modernization: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting, insulation, Intercoms, roofing, furnishings, stages
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Safety improvements, entryways, flooring, windows, bathroom stalls, Kitchen equipment, fire & sprinkler system upgrades.
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Outdoor & Facility Enhancements: Parking lot expansion & repairs, retaining wall fixes, new fencing where needed, covered play areas. Athletic field improvements (baseball, softball, track, tennis, football, and soccer) Outdoor lighting enhancements
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Optimized Use of District Property: Enhancements around Dawson Gym on Tyee Street, especially more parking! Development of athletic facilities west of VG
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If passed, how will the Bond affect my taxes?
If the bond is passed, the education funding gap will be mitigated through property taxes of an estimated tax of $1.75/$1,000 of property value. Taxpayers should not see an increase in taxes unless their property values increase at a higher percentages than other property owners’ values. The intent of this bond is to not increase taxes while being able to completely remodel and modernize our schools.
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What happens if the Bond doesn't pass?
If the bond measure does not pass, the board will need to consider a couple of different options. One option would be to run this bond again at a future election. A second option would be to ask voters to approve another capital projects levy at an increased amount in order to take care of immediate roofing and HVAC needs. Unfortunately, we do not believe that a capital levy would be able to raise enough money to fix our roofs and HVAC systems in a time frame that would fix them before a fix is needed. Our roofs and HVAC systems are at the end of their working capacity. These specific projects are multiple million-dollar projects and capital project levies are unable to raise the type of many necessary for them in our area. We simply do not have the tax base that can raise the type of money needed, which is why we are looking at bonds, which can raise more money with the ability to pay them back over longer periods of time.
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What is the proposed Bond collection by year?
Okanogan School District is committed to doing more for less. The annual total collection and estimated tax rates for each year are listed in the table below.
Based on the property value of $100,000, the average annual cost to property owners over four years is estimated to be $175 per year, which is slightly less than the current combined bond and capital levy. This translates to approximately $14.58 per month per $100K of assessed valuation.
|
Calendar Year |
Tax Rate Per Thousand |
*Annual Cost to Taxpayer per $100,000 of Property Value |
Monthly Cost |
|
2025 (Current) |
$1.76 |
$176 |
$14.67 Per Month |
|
2026 |
$1.75 |
$175 |
$14.58 Per Month |
*Per $1,000 of assessed property value
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Why are covered areas included in the list of projects?
Because the work will happen during the summer AND during the school year, extra space will be needed for temporary classrooms. Both buildings have had a covered area on their wish list for a while for students and classes to use on inclement weather days as well as for doing activities during the day for a nice work space. The architect has suggested creating temporary classroom space outside, enveloping an area during construction and using the space for temporary classrooms while the construction is being completed. The spaces would be utilized temporarily during the construction phase for classrooms and after construction, removing the walls to use the covered space permanently. An alternative to doing this would be to purchase or lease portable classrooms, which would be costly. Ultimately, a cost/benefit comparison will be done to make sure we use the the best solution for the money spent.
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Who can I speak with for more information about the proposed bond?
If you have additional questions, please reach out to the superintendent, Steve Quick, at (509) 422-3629. You can also email him at squick@oksd.wednet.edu
