Prescott voters overwhelmingly approve of school levy amid dissolution threat
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PRESCOTT – Voters have approved the Prescott School District’s supplemental education programs and operation levy for the collection years of 2027 and 2028.
Preliminary special election results show 86.96 percent of voters – totaling 180 ballots – supported Proposition 1, which Superintendent Jeff Foertsch explains is a supplemental levy to the district’s current educational programs and operation levy passed last year.
The proposition just approved by voters will collect an estimated $99,097 in 2027 from a property tax of 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Then in 2028, the levy will collect an estimated $152,628 from a property tax of 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Despite the passing of the education programs and operation levy, Foertsch said the results do not erase the current dissolution petition filed by Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, citing financial insolvency and an inability to pay roughly $1 million in outstanding debt.
Foertsch explains the passing of the levy is just one part to a multi-step process, which includes fundraising and the sale of the century-old cottage the Prescott School District has sold for $380,000 to the city of Prescott to be transformed into Prescott’s town hall.
The next step, according to Foertsch’s discussions with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), is still some form of legislative help.
Regarding the Prescott School District’s next deadline date, Foertsch explains he’s waiting for the end of the legislative session on March 12.
“What I hope the levy does is put more pressure on OSPI, in general, to reconsider dissolution, even if we do not get legislative help,” Foertsch said. “87 percent support, I believe, should say something to OSPI about our community.”
OSPI School Apportionment and Financial Services Director Shawn Lewis told Elkhorn Media Group that the preliminary results from Prescott’s supplemental levy will have a positive impact on the financial position and cash flow of the school district and “that is great news for the community”.
“It does have an impact of the district’s financial outlook and solvency, but does not, by itself, solve the financial situation,” Lewis added.
Lewis stated that in addition to passing the levy, OSPI will be evaluating the sale of district property, and the final 2027 Legislative budget to determine whether Prescott School District can develop a viable financial solvency plan. We expect that evaluation to be completed with the school district prior to April 1.
