Yakima educators endorse April bond as district outlines Hoover and Garfield rebuild plans
March 20, 2026 | Yakima School District, School Districts, Washington
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The Yakima Education Association on March 17 formally endorsed the Yakima School District’s proposed facilities bond, calling the measure a necessary investment to rebuild deteriorating elementary schools and make district-wide safety and accessibility upgrades.
In prepared remarks to the board, Francis Guerrero, YEA president, said the bond would rebuild Hoover and Garfield elementaries, upgrade HVAC systems and playground accessibility, and help make facilities compliant with federal accessibility requirements. The association urged educators, families and community members to support the ballot measure.
Why it matters: district staff told the board the bond is on the April 28 ballot and would require 60% voter approval plus a turnout calculation tied to the prior general election. District presentations showed projected construction timetables that place a rebuilt Hoover opening in fall 2028 and Garfield in 2029, while smaller projects would run concurrently.
Officials also presented tax-rate graphics and an outstanding-debt schedule to show how the new measure would affect rates over time. Staff stressed the difference between capital funding and operating dollars: if the bond fails, the district would continue to pay for roofs, HVAC and other capital needs out of the general fund, reducing money otherwise available for classroom expenditures.
Board members and staff described a multi-pronged outreach plan. Cooper (referred to in remarks as Jake/Mister Cooper) said the district has held meetings with large taxpayers and business owners, local civic groups such as chambers and rotaries, parent nights, and is scheduling open houses at Hoover and Garfield specifically to explain the bond’s scope and potential tax impacts.
The district has also posted a QR code linking to bond materials and plans virtual outreach for staff who cannot attend daytime events. Superintendent Green and staff credited community volunteers, faith-based partners and maintenance crews who supported recent school beautification efforts as part of building broader public support.
Context and next steps: the board received the district’s bond update as part of its regular packet and asked staff to continue community meetings. The Yakima Education Association’s endorsement formalizes teacher support; the district’s outreach and additional public presentations are scheduled in the coming weeks as the April 28 election approaches.
In prepared remarks to the board, Francis Guerrero, YEA president, said the bond would rebuild Hoover and Garfield elementaries, upgrade HVAC systems and playground accessibility, and help make facilities compliant with federal accessibility requirements. The association urged educators, families and community members to support the ballot measure.
Why it matters: district staff told the board the bond is on the April 28 ballot and would require 60% voter approval plus a turnout calculation tied to the prior general election. District presentations showed projected construction timetables that place a rebuilt Hoover opening in fall 2028 and Garfield in 2029, while smaller projects would run concurrently.
Officials also presented tax-rate graphics and an outstanding-debt schedule to show how the new measure would affect rates over time. Staff stressed the difference between capital funding and operating dollars: if the bond fails, the district would continue to pay for roofs, HVAC and other capital needs out of the general fund, reducing money otherwise available for classroom expenditures.
Board members and staff described a multi-pronged outreach plan. Cooper (referred to in remarks as Jake/Mister Cooper) said the district has held meetings with large taxpayers and business owners, local civic groups such as chambers and rotaries, parent nights, and is scheduling open houses at Hoover and Garfield specifically to explain the bond’s scope and potential tax impacts.
The district has also posted a QR code linking to bond materials and plans virtual outreach for staff who cannot attend daytime events. Superintendent Green and staff credited community volunteers, faith-based partners and maintenance crews who supported recent school beautification efforts as part of building broader public support.
Context and next steps: the board received the district’s bond update as part of its regular packet and asked staff to continue community meetings. The Yakima Education Association’s endorsement formalizes teacher support; the district’s outreach and additional public presentations are scheduled in the coming weeks as the April 28 election approaches.
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