Yakima bond heads to certification; district readies architects and permits

Superintendent Dr. Green told the Yakima School Board on May 4 that district bond returns were trending in the district’s favor and that certification was expected by May 8, with architects and permitting to follow.

Dr. Green described recognition the district received from the Washington School Recognition Program for five buildings and said the bond result is a third‑party validation of district priorities. He told the board that the next steps—pending final certification—include bringing architects on board, starting state permitting and coordinating with the city planning department.

District staff said RFQs for architect/engineer work were submitted (RFQs due May 1) and that a recommendation could come forward within weeks; staff emphasized use of local labor regardless of outside firms being hired. The board discussed community outreach and the district’s effort to resolve prior project concerns before going to voters.

The meeting also included a public comment suggesting the district consider progressive design‑build procurement. District staff responded that design‑build requires an OSPI/OSBI approval pathway and a demonstrated district project track record, and that the district is more likely to use hard bid or GCCM models for this bond program.

The district did not attribute the reported final certification percentage to a single speaker in the transcript; meeting remarks contained the figure “60.99” in discussion, and the administration characterized certification as pending. If certified, staff said they will move quickly to select architects and begin permitting and community coordination.