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NEWPORT — Newport School District officials were disappointed last week when voters denied their proposal for a $46.3 million bond.
Estimated at a rate of $1.89 per $1,000 in assessed property value for up to 23 years, the bond failed 1,518 no votes to 1,287 yes votes, with only 45.88% approving. To pass, the bond required a supermajority approval of at least 60%. The state was expected to contribute an additional $17.7 million upon approval.
“We really had put in a lot of time and effort into that to try to figure out what was the best use of funds,” said April Owen, Newport School District Board chair. “We’ll need to regroup and figure out how to go forward.”
The bond would have mainly funded the modernization of Newport High School, which is now 45 years old. In addition to replacing roofing and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, renovations were proposed to core facility areas such as classrooms, laboratories, commons and the gymnasium and locker rooms. The construction of an auxiliary gym and improvements to some outdoor areas were also proposed.
In an email, Superintendent Dave Smith acknowledged that the bond introduced a new tax to voters during “difficult times” with increasing costs of living.
“However, the needed improvements of the high school are not going to go away and will need to be addressed,” Smith wrote.
The board will discuss changes to the proposal after results from the election are finalized, Smith wrote. Their next meeting is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.
“We’ll have something by that point to at least discuss,” Owen said.
Regardless, Owen and Smith appreciate voters’ support of Newport’s $8.8 million Educational Programs and Operations levy. Estimated at a rate of $1.45 per $1,000, the levy passed 1,583-1,231, with 56.25% approving.
Newport’s EPO levy is critical for district operations, Owen said. With it, Smith wrote that Newport can continue to provide and improve extracurriculars, alternative learning and other programs and services, as well as maintenance, safety and security, transportation, technology and staffing such as a school resource officer and nurse.
“We are so thankful for the hard work that was put in by many to prepare for both measures,” Smith wrote. “And the great job that was done getting the word out about both.”
As a voter who voted against both the bond and levy, Mike Hanson was relieved when the bond failed. On top of introducing a new tax, the former Pend Oreille County Commissioner said the bond brought up questions about district finances and transparency.
“Hopefully there will be an opportunity for true dialogue rather than a monologue given by the promoters prior to the next attempt,” Hanson said.
Like Newport, the Cusick and Selkirk School Districts’ EPO levies passed 550234 and 376-310, respectively.
The superintendents of both districts expressed gratitude for their communities, thanking voters for once again showing their support for the measures.
Passing with 70.15% approving, Cusick’s $1.65 million EPO levy is estimated at a rate per $1,000 of $1.02 in 2027, $1.01 in 2028 and $1 in 2029. Besides extracurricular activities, counseling, food service, maintenance, custodial, safety and security, the levy funds curriculum, transportation, technology and programs such as career and technical education, driver’s education and Highly Capable.
Cusick Superintendent Don Hawpe wrote in an email that rallying voters around the district’s EPO levy required months, even years, of listening and trust-building. The district also worked to align staffing and programming with local values and expectations.
“Our staff has invested extraordinary time and effort to engage our students and their families on a daily basis,” Hawpe wrote.
Hawpe acknowledged that passing a levy by not just a simple majority, but by over 70%, was no small feat. Cusick’s EPO levy passed by the widest margin of all three districts in the county.
“We truly are, ‘Better Together!’” Hawpe wrote.
Selkirk’s $2.48 million EPO levy, passing with 54.81% approving, is estimated at a rate of $1.58 per $1,000.
The district has been fortunate enough, Selkirk Superintendent Nancy Lotze wrote, to have received support for its levies for the last 40 years. She especially thanked voters who approved the levy despite having no relatives currently in attendance, adding that the levy cannot pass without them.
“We are deeply appreciative of the trust the community has placed in the district,” Lotze wrote.
Selkirk takes local expectations for fiscal responsibility seriously, Lotze wrote, and will maintain the staffing levels and program operational costs supported by voters.
Selkirk’s EPO levy funds all extracurricular programs, a third of student support and staffing, a third of food service and a quarter of maintenance, custodial, utilities and safety. That includes nursing and technology, Lotze wrote. Passing the levy also allows Selkirk to focus funds from Seattle City Light on essential facility improvements, such as the addition of K-5 classroom spaces at Selkirk High School.
“The strong level of support demonstrates that our three communities value public education at Selkirk and the opportunities we provide for our students,” Lotze wrote.
In the November 2025 election, Pend Oreille County voters voted against both Riverside and Deer Park School Districts’ capital levy measures. Riverside’s $18 million levy failed both in Pend Oreille County and overall, as did Deer Park’s $14.5 million levy. Riverside requested a levy to fund safety, security, technology and infrastructure improvements at the district. Meanwhile, Deer Park requested a levy for the district to address aging facilities, improve safety and acquire land.
