Spokane Public Schools Board meeting to discuss timeline for new bond and levy

SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Public Schools is deciding when to put a bond and a levy back on the ballot.

You may remember the failed bond from the February special election. The failed measure, which aimed to secure funding for essential updates and renovations to aging school buildings, fell short of the required 60% approval. According to the Spokane County Elections Office, the measure received only 56%.

Now, as the community awaits the next steps, focus is aimed at the SPS office where important decisions are underway.

Wednesday evening, the school board will meet to discuss whether a bond and a levy should reappear this year, or later down the line.

The school board has also been discussing how these measures will look once they're on the ballot.

Superintendent Adam Swinyard says after two years of evaluations, the failed bond was first recommended to be $400 million.

This was the estimated amount needed to cover updates for older SPS buildings, like Adams and Madison Elementary, which were both built in the early 1900s.

Then, to account for affordability for families, the district settled on $200 million.

Now, after feedback from hundreds of Spokane residents…the school board is considering an even lesser amount.

"Those are hard decisions to make because those needs exist as we stand here today. Those students and staff are working through the challenges of having outdated facilities, and so I know that weighs heavy on the school board's mind," said Swinyard.

The special meeting to discuss a timeline for a new bond and levy is happening at 4:30 pm tonight at 200 N. Bernard Spokane, Washington 99201. The meeting is open to the public and you can also attend on Zoom.

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