The margin of approval for the Yakima School District's $200 million bond grew with additional ballots counted Wednesday.
show approval for the bond increased to 60.83%, with聽39.17% voters rejecting it; 4,443 yes votes to 2,861 no votes. The bond needs a聽60% plus one approval to pass.聽
Voter turnout increased to 20%. The next update is planned for Thursday afternoon.聽
The bond would provide funding to replace Hoover and Garfield elementary schools and make other facility improvements across the district.
While replacing Hoover and Garfield are a big part of the bond, it would benefit all 24 schools in the district in some form. Other improvements include accessibility, HVAC replacements, playground upgrades, roof repairs and replacements, and sidewalks and paving. The bond will also support turf replacement, track resurfacing and court repairs.
The school district would split the upcoming bond into two sale dates, in fall 2026 and June 2028. The property tax impact is estimated to be $246 annually, or $20.50 per month, for a house valued at $311,600.
The district estimates the new bond would raise the school district property tax rate from $3.21 per $1,000 in 2026 to $4.01 per $1,000 in 2027, then drop to $3.84 per $1,000 in 2033. That number includes both the local instructional levy and bonds. The estimates assume a consistent local levy rate of $2.50 per $1,000 for operations. An older bond will expire in 2032.
Turnout needs to be 40% of ballots cast in the last general election, which was 9,150, according to聽. The district appears to have met that requirement with 7,313 votes cast.
The election results will be certified on May 8.
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