Wenatchee schools seek pro, con statement writers for proposed February bond

WENATCHEE – Wenatchee School District residents who support or oppose a proposed school bond can apply through Nov. 24 to help write the arguments voters will read before a planned February election.

The district is seeking applicants for two committees that will prepare statements for the Chelan County voters’ pamphlet. One will write in favor of the bond, and the other will write against it. Each committee will have up to three members and may also submit a rebuttal to the other committee’s statement.

The recruitment follows the Wenatchee School Board’s Nov. 10 announcement that it intends to bring the bond back to voters Feb. 9, 2027. According to the district’s announcement, the Nov. 3 measure received about 58% approval in unofficial results, short of the 60% supermajority required for school bonds.

The board is expected to vote on the bond resolution and committee appointments at its Dec. 1 meeting.

If approved, the bond would fund a new Wenatchee High School along with safety, health and building system improvements at schools across the district. Those projects include heating, cooling, ventilation and air quality upgrades. The district said the priorities grew out of a community-led facilities planning process and independent building assessments.

“November showed us just how much our community cares about Wenatchee High School and our schools,” Superintendent Kory Kalahar said in the announcement. “As the board moves toward the February ballot, it matters that voters hear a range of perspectives. These committees make that possible, and we encourage people on both sides to apply.”

Applicants must live within district boundaries. They should email their full name, home address, email address, phone number, committee preference and a brief statement of interest to School Board Secretary Melissa Summers at summers.melissa@wenatcheeschools.org by Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Election dates and deadlines are available at co.chelan.wa.us/elections.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media