New High School in Wenatchee? It Could be a Possibility

A complete rebuild of Wenatchee High School could become reality.

Wenatchee School District's Long Range Facilities Planning Committee told the school board Tuesday night the district should run a bond to rebuild a new high school and complete HVAC upgrades at several schools.

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Communications Specialist Diana Haglund said the committee met nine times over 15 months and used data and information around school facilities, educational programs, financial information and community responses to influence their recommendations.

They told the board the new school would cost approximately $295 million. The committee presented a plan for a bond with a tax increase of $1.48 per $1,000 of assesed property value for landowners over 15 years.

The $295 million figure comes after an estimated $79 million in state matching funds, which will lower the cost to the district from $372 million total.

Haglund said HVAC improvements alone, without a new high school, would cost $58 million. However, she said the committee would rather take the full amount to the voters once rather than two separate bond measures.

The schools requiring HVAC improvements include: Lewis and Clark Elementary, Mission View Elementary, Newberry Elementary, Orchard Middle School, Sunnyslope Elementary, Foothills Middle School, and Pioneer Middle School.

If the board decides on moving a bond to the ballot, it would likely run in 2026. Construction could finish by 2030.