• We looked at the numbers and needs of both options. It is more cost efficient to build new, with new building systems that meet the clean energy requirements and modern safety needs.
• Remodeling would be disruptive, require costly portables, and would not address the safety challenges of the current location or add space for preschool.
• The new elementary school would include preschool with the space to accommodate more students and will help with the transition to kindergarten.
• Remodeling old buildings can be unpredictable and difficult to control costs.

The plan is to build on the same property as the district office and community gym. This site is level and is shovel ready with electrical and water hookups. Survey feedback indicated parents appreciate a location that is close to emergency services, such as the police station and fire department.

The district is committed to not investing funds into the maintenance of MOE. The board is currently exploring whether to sell the building or do a long term land lease. Revenue from either option will be used to pay off the bond debt early.

• The current weight room is accessible only by stairs, meaning that not all of our students can access the classes held there. We have classes in the weight room every period of the school day in addition to the use it gets before and after school by our student-athletes.
• Having a ground floor, ADA accessible weight room, will allow the entire upstairs space to be utilized as a wrestling room by our middle school boys and girls teams, our high school boys and girls teams, and the Chelan Youth Wrestling program. This will be an ancillary benefit with no additional cost.

• Career and Technical Education programs are a major part of preparing students to be career-ready. The current shops are too small, lack proper ventilation and the equipment is antiquated
• Updates to the shops would give students access to space and equipment that meets industry standards.
• Two classrooms above the shops are also only accessible by stairs, which does not allow all of our students to access those classrooms.

Both our Facility Advisory Committee and our Board of Directors analyzed multiple potential projects and determined our lack of a proper track was the biggest need. The soccer field is the only district-owned property where a full sized track will fit. Additional parking, seating, restrooms, and locker rooms will allow us to host post season meets and improve the experience for our students as there are currently none of those amenities. We would also add a changing rooms/restrooms/concession stand on the baseball/softball side of the complex.

We will continue to pursue grant funds and use local capital funds to improve Sargent Field and our gyms. Over the last 10 years, we have redone the gym floor at the MS/HS, added new wall padding, repainted the gym, purchased new wrestling mats, replaced the bleacher seats, and replaced the mezzanine curtain, and painted the football field press box and locker rooms. Additionally, via donations, we have replaced the scoreboards at all of our athletic facilities. We have also converted to LED lighting in our gym.

Because the projects are at different sites, construction work could go on concurrently. A new track should be available by March of 2027. Work on the shops and weight room would take place in the summer/fall of 2026. The new elementary will have an extensive design process involving families, students, staff, and community in multiple meetings. Construction would begin in the fall/winter of 2026 with a targeted opening date of August 2028.

We are thankful for voter approval of our 2024 levy renewals. Levies provide annual funding for programs, operations, and smaller projects and are on a two-year cycle. Bonds can only be used on capital/construction projects and provide the district with a larger investment to do major projects. The district last passed a $5.5 million bond in 2008 to update the community gym, the PAC, and to purchase property.

The district is looking into grants and other revenue sources to reduce costs. MOE is eligible for $4M supplemental funding if a bond passes. We currently have $13.2 million in grant applications pending to take care of a variety of needs at CMS/CHS and our fields.

School construction and repairs are not funded by the state. There is some supplement funding available but only if voters approve a bond or levy.

Did you know? The amount of funding that each district receives from the state varies greatly based on a number of factors. For example: Enrollment, regional cost of living differences, poverty rates, and the number of special needs or non-English speaking students all factor into the amount of state funding a district may receive. Many school districts receive some federal funding, which is mostly determined by indicators such as levels of poverty and special needs populations within a district.

A comprehensive video explaining WA School Funding: “Issues at the Core of Washington State’s School Funding Dilemma”

A bond provides the district with a larger investment upfront to make major updates while locking in current interest rates and keeping the tax rate low. Using levy funding would subject the projects to annual cost escalation – costing more in the long run.

The district does keep money in reserve in case of an emergency. That amount is equal to one month’s expenses, or 8% of the annual budget. Proceeds from the Chelan Fresh and Real Life lease go into a capital improvements fund that is used for major expenses like HVAC work, security upgrades, and other projects. There are only a few hundred thousand dollars in our capital fund, which is not enough to address any of the bond projects.

Tax rates may fluctuate based on community growth and assessed values. Here is a simple example:

If a $1,000 bond is approved and four homeowners have the same assessed values, they each pay $250. As the community grows, new homes and businesses may reduce each household’s tax bill.

Did you know that there was more than $84mm in new construction within the school district boundaries last year? That impacts the tax rate.

You can register online, by  mail, or in-person to vote. More details are available at Chelan County Elections.

Yes! If you are at least 61 years old on December 31 of the application year with an annual household disposable income of $43,588 or less, or unable to work because of a disability, or a veteran with an 80% disability rating for a service connected disability, you may be eligible for the Washington State property tax exemption program (dor.wa.gov). For the most current information and to check your status, contact the office of the Chelan County Assessor at (509) 667-6364.