WSD asks voters to approve two renewal levies

The Washougal School District is asking voters to approve two renewal levies in Clark County’s Feb. 10 special election.

Voters will decide on a $10.3 million safety, technology and capital improvements levy and a $32.4 million educational programs and operations levy, each to be collected over three years.

If approved, they would replace levies that expire at the end of 2026.

“The levy support allows us to offer the programs that the community has prioritized and keep our buildings safe, warm and up to code,” Superintendent Aaron Hansen said.

The district is proposing an educational programs and operations levy rate of $1.99 per $1,000 assessed property value in 2026 and $1.95 in 2027, 2028 and 2029. If approved, the levy would collect $10.2 million in 2026, $10.4 million in 2027, $10.8 million in 2028 and $11.2 million in 2029.

“The levy fills the gap that exists because the state’s school funding system doesn’t pay the entire amount of what’s needed,” Hansen said.

If approved by voters, the operations levy would continue funding a variety of staff positions and educational programs, including health and safety staff; instructional support; arts, music and drama; athletics and after-school activities; learning technology; Advanced Placement and highly capable programs; and operations and maintenance.

For the capital levy, the district is proposing a rate of 85 cents per $1,000 assessed property value in 2026 and 62 cents in 2027, 2028 and 2029. If approved, the levy would collect $4.15 million in 2026, $3.3 million in 2027, $3.4 million in 2028 and $3.6 million in 2029.

If approved, the capital levy would fund school safety improvements; heating and cooling systems; repairs to playground and parking areas; carpet and drywall repairs; instructional technology; and updates to athletic and performing arts spaces.

If both levies are approved, the owner of a $636,000 home is projected to pay $151 per month in 2026 and $142 per month in 2027, according to the district.

“The levy (provides) well-maintained buildings, updated technology, and safe learning environments benefit every resident — not just students,” Tabitha Shaffer of the Washougal Citizens For Schools parent advisory committee wrote in the Clark County voters’ pamphlet.

No “against” statements were submitted for either levy for the voters’ pamphlet.

Hansen said that the district learned several lessons from its most recent levy renewal proposals, which were rejected by voters in February 2023, then approved two months later.

He said the district has hosted 20 “levy roadshow presentations” during the 2025-26 school year and created a FAQ page on its website, listing questions asked by local residents during the presentations and answers from the district.

“We’ve adjusted the amount of information we were providing,” Hansen said. “We’re trying to be as transparent as we can.”

Levy supporters are working to change minds one a time. In early January, Hansen took Glenn Kincaid, who led an effort to oppose the district’s levy renewal requests in 2023, on a tour of Gause Elementary School and Washougal High School.

Kincaid thanked Hansen in a Facebook post after the tour.

“I’m still having trouble voting yes for new taxes. But I won’t be making it my top priority to stand on the street corners again,” he wrote.

Even though the encounter didn’t completely change Kincaid’s mind, Hansen considered it a win.

“That’s a very good example of what can happen when we are open to feedback and willing to sit down and listen,” he said.