November 2024 Bond Information

The easiest way to remember the difference between a bond and a levy is: Bonds are for building and levies are for learning. (The statement “levies are for learning” primarily refers to enrichment levies.)  Bonds and levies provide schools with funds that must be used for specific purposes.

A levy is a local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue to fund programs and services that the state does not pay for as part of “basic education.” Because the funding provided by the state does not cover the actual costs to operate a school district, districts often use levy funds to hire additional staff, or for student programming and services that are underfunded or not funded by the state. Some of the many things that levies help to fund may include: extracurricular activities, special education, transportation, food service, operations, grounds and maintenance, preschool, and other activities. There are three main types of levies: enrichment, capital, and transportation levies, although this is not a complete list.

Enrichment levies, also known as Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies and Maintenance and Operations (M&O) levies, allow a school district to provide things like teachers, support staff, supplies and materials, or services that the state only partially funds. Funding provided by the state does not fully cover the actual costs to operate a school district, so enrichment levies fill in the gap.

Capital levies (which includes tech levies) to fund things like modern technology, enhanced building security, and smaller renovation projects. Capital levies can be approved for up to six years.

NOTE: In simple terms, a replacement levy is the renewal of an existing enrichment, capital, or transportation levy that is about to expire. Typically, if a district is asking for a replacement levy to be approved by voters, it means that it is simply the continuation of an existing tax.

A bond is a long-term investment that authorizes the district to purchase property for schools, construct new schools, or modernize existing schools. Bonds are sold to investors who are repaid with interest over time from property tax collections, generally between 12-20 years.

To assess Cheney Public Schools’ facilities needs, the district utilized parents and key stakeholders from each of the three distinct communities—Airway Heights, Cheney, and West Plains—to form the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee. This committee collaborated for more than six months to determine the facilities needs of the district. Through the research and analysis of this community-based effort, the committee determined the district facility needs are as follows: one elementary school in Airway Heights, land for a second elementary school, and campus upgrades. The committee’s framework was presented to the school board in June 2023, and it was unanimously approved. 

If you are a senior citizen and/or disabled, you may be eligible for an exemption. The exemption applies to the primary residence and land on which it sits, up to one acre. Five acres are allowed if zoning permits it.

This program is administered by the Spokane County Assessor's Office. For application and further information, call 509-477-3698.

Both bonds and levies require voter approval, but in Washington, bonds require a higher majority of voter approval than levies.

Bonds require a supermajority to pass (60%). 
Levies require a simple majority to pass (50% + 1).

Community members who reside within the Cheney Public Schools district boundaries are projected to pay the following per $1,000 of assessed home value in 2024: 

Educational Operations & Programs Levy: $1.30

Existing School Bonds: $1.37

Capital Tech Levy: $0.07

In 2023, district community members paid:

Educational Operations & Programs Levy: $1.31

Existing School Bonds: $1.42

Capital Tech Levy: $0.08

Budget allocations will be adjusted as projects are completed, and any projects that come in under budget will have funds re-allocated to other projects or contingency. Projects that come in over budget will utilize the contingency set aside. The district is compiling a list of other potential projects not originally planned in the bond that could be completed if at the end of all projects, there are still dollars available. 

Our goal is to complete all planned bond projects within budget, as all identified projects in the bond are important. 

The District will collaborate with the schools involved in each project to ensure there is a contingency plan and appropriate access to the building throughout the projects. Our goal is to limit the educational impact of all projects, so school breaks and non-school hours will be prioritized where possible. 

Both. Bond projects are limited to the $72 million scope that was voter approved in November 2024. In addition, bond proceeds must be 85% spent within three (3) years of receiving the funds. We are currently planning to sell half of the bonds in April 2025 and the second half in June 2026, with plans to have all projects completed by December 2027. 

We will work through the redistricting process before the new school opens; the redistricting work is estimated to be completed by spring of 2027. The last time the District re-drew boundaries was the spring of 2019 to be implemented for the 2019-2020 school year.

Estimated capacity of 500 students for a new elementary school.

This bond only has funds to purchase the land for a future transportation site. The construction of a building on that land would be incorporated into a future bond; we would potentially work on creating a transportation cooperative to bring in additional state funding for construction. 

Land being considered for purchase is not discussed openly until the purchase is ready for Board approval. Per School Board Policy No. 1410, land being considered for purchase is discussed in an executive session with the board.

This has yet to be determined. The site could be used for a future elementary school if our growth continues on the current projections.  

The City of Airway Heights has done a master traffic study, and we will be working closely with the City on frontage improvements and traffic patterns.   

The signage plans will be included in the 100% drawings, and any additional signage identified later will be installed by the District.

Not a specific pull-out, but the bus loops will be long enough and wide enough for buses to park and to be able to pass another bus within the loop.

Yes. We will be working through educational specifications on March 24th and 25th, 2025, and again on April 3rd and 4th, 2025. A teacher from each grade level at all District elementary schools will have the opportunity to participate in providing input, as well as specialty groups such as secretariat staff, transportation, custodial and maintenance, school nurses, and student support services staff.  

Transportation is part of a weekly meeting working on the bus loop projects; the transportation department also had the opportunity to provide input at the 50% drawings and will again at 90% drawings.