School Board Highlights: October 26
High School Roof Project Updates and Warranty
The Ephrata High School roof project is roughly 95% complete, featuring newly engineered slope crickets and upgraded drainage that have successfully eliminated persistent interior water leaks. Jimmy’s Roofing performed the installation with minimal disruption to ongoing student activities and daily operations, and Northwest Roofing Consultants verified the workmanship during an on-site walk, leaving only a minor punch list to finish. The fully installed roof system comes protected by a comprehensive 20-year warranty.
District and School Improvement Plans
The school board unanimously approved the 2026-2027 district and school improvement plans, which anchor to four core strategic goals: raising math and reading achievement, boosting outcomes for multilingual learners, achieving a 90% regular attendance rate, and implementing positive behavioral intervention systems. School improvement plans align with the district goals and also include building-specific benchmarks tailored directly to their school's distinct academic and operational needs.
Facility Conditions and Community Survey Findings
Superintendent Ken Murray shared a recap of Facility Study meetings that took place over the months of September and October with community members and staff.
State OSPI facility condition scores highlighted stark infrastructure disparities across the district, rating Columbia Ridge and Ephrata Middle School in like-new condition while Grant and Parkway scored low. In follow-up surveys and listening sessions, community members and staff voiced clear reservations about property tax rates, overall project costs, and previous location proposals. Survey results revealed an overwhelming mandate to prioritize replacing the aging Grant Elementary, with respondents firmly demanding that the new facility be constructed directly adjacent to its existing location.
Murray presented a streamlined 20-year, $37.4 million local bond structured with interest rate cushions to keep tax rates steady and avoid the substantial increases of previous ballot attempts. Because the district's expiring capital levy drops off at the end of 2026, the financing plan takes advantage of that step-down to rebuild Grant Elementary.
The projected cost of the Grant Elementary replacement is $49.2 million. Approximately $11.8 million is anticipated to come from School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP), with the remaining $37.4 million funded through a 20-year bond. The estimated total District tax rate, including existing District taxes and the proposed bond, is $3.67 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The estimated total District tax rate under the current proposal is approximately $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed property value lower than the estimated rate associated with the previous proposal voters rejected in February of 2026. In addition, when compared to the known 2026 total District tax rate, the current projections indicate an estimated increase of approximately $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value beginning in 2028.
During the Regular School Board Meeting on November 23, 2026, the Ephrata School Board will determine whether to place the measure before voters as part of the February 9, 2027, or April 27, 2027, election.
The community can learn more about the 2026 Facility Study Group, school board presentation and past bonds & levies by visiting TigersVote.org.
High School Accreditation
Sharon Scellick formally presented Ephrata High School with an official six-year accreditation renewal from the Association of Educational Service Districts, extending through spring 2032. The accrediting body commended high school leadership and staff for their intentional execution of data-driven systems, collaborative improvement teams, and community-building programs.
Financial and Budget Report
Finance Director Allison reported that the district’s year-end financial documentation has been submitted to the local ESD, while district enrollment climbed to 2,536.72 FTE to finish slightly ahead of budget forecasts for October. The district continues to comfortably preserve its mandated 10% minimum fund balance, with isolated negative balances in capital project lines representing gaps awaiting incoming CTE grant reimbursements and November property tax disbursements.
Student School Board Representatives
Superintendent Murray welcomed high school student Kai Kaleohano to his role as a student school board representative for the upcoming school year. Murray urged board members to routinely consult Kai and fellow student representative Hannah Malone during their deliberations to ensure student perspectives actively inform district governance and policy decisions.