Ephrata school bond failing; area school levies passing

EPHRATA — Quiet disappointment settled over a group of Ephrata school officials gathered at the Grant County Courthouse Tuesday night as they surveyed preliminary results that showed the district’s proposed $75 million construction bond measure failing with less than 48% of the vote.

A 60% approval margin is needed for passage.

Of the 2,408 ballots counted on Election Night, 1,261 rejected the bond proposition while 1,147 favored it. Initial turnout was just 30.8% of the school district’s 7,818 registered voters despite considerable public outreach by supporters.

While the Ephrata bond measure was failing, replacement tax levies were passing for six other area school districts: Coulee-Hartline, Quincy, Royal, Wahluke (Mattawa), Warden, and Wilson Creek.

Their measures, which range in length from 2 to 4 years and only need simple-majority votes for passage, will replace existing levies expiring at the end of 2026. The property tax levies help pay for education programs and operations not funded by the state. Those costs can include sports and other extra-curricular activities, maintenance, staff training, food services, utilities, instructional materials, and some security and technology needs.

For all the school districts combined, overall initial voter turnout on Tuesday was a dismal 25%. Grant County elections staff are expected to update vote tallies Wednesday afternoon. Final results will be certified on Feb. 20.

Ephrata schools superintendent Ken Murray said district officials, school board members, and community representatives will have to assess possible next steps. But Murray indicated it was unlikely that the district would try to rerun the bond proposal in April – the next possible date for a special election.

Ephrata-area voters have traditionally been strong supporters of school funding measures. But there was apparent anxiousness among bond supporters for this proposal, with considerable opposition voiced in recent weeks on social media. Criticism of local tax increases was also significant in elections last August and November against a proposed $30 million bond measure sought for facility improvements at Columbia Basin Hospital.

The Ephrata School District’s bond measure, if approved, would have raised local property taxes an estimated $1.07 per $1,000 of assessed valuation beginning in 2027 and be paid off over 25 years. Bond passage would have also qualified the school district for an additional $27.4 million in non-taxed state monies.

Combined, the revenues would fund construction of new schools to replace decades-old Grant Elementary and Parkway Intermediate schools, plus add several new classrooms, secured access, and a new performing arts center at Ephrata High School.

Editor’s note: this article has been updated to include the following statement issued Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 by Ephrata School District superintendent Ken Murray.

Tiger Community -

On behalf of the Ephrata School District, I want to share my gratitude to everyone who took the time to participate in the 2026 bond election. Your engagement in this process is a demonstration of our care for this community. We are grateful for the conversations we’ve had with members of the community throughout the past few months.

While preliminary results clearly indicate the bond did not reach the required 60% approval, our responsibility to our students and our community remains unchanged. We remain committed to ensuring we support KIDS and their LEARNING in safe and supportive environments.

We recognize the value of the feedback that has been shared during this process. We will take time to reflect on what we heard, continue listening and work to better understand community priorities and concerns. As part of this effort, we plan to reconvene, and likely expand, the Community Facility Study Group to reflect, reassess our facility needs and thoughtfully and transparently discuss next steps.

Thank you for your continued engagement and care for Ephrata Schools. We look forward to continuing this important work together.

TIGER PRIDE TODAY! TIGER PRIDE ALWAYS!