YES FOR YAKIMA KIDS

Welcome to the Yes for Yakima Kids campaign! This kit shows you how to amplify our message and connect with voters across Yakima.

WHY THIS BOND MATTERS NOW

Yakima has a complicated relationship with school funding. State surveys consistently show the Yakima area is one of the most supportive of public schools in Washington state. Yet our voting history tells a different story.

In 2006 and 2007, voters rejected bond proposals that would have replaced these same aging schools—Hoover and Garfield elementaries. Nearly 20 years later, those buildings are still standing, still aging, and now we're at a critical tipping point: these schools cost more to maintain than they would to build new.

Here's what many people don't know: The state does not fund buildings or facilities. That's up to the community through voted taxation. While the state pays for teachers and programs, maintaining and replacing school buildings is entirely our responsibility.

Our district has been financially restrained because of the perceived tax intolerance in our community. But if we truly support public education—and state surveys say we do—then we need to support it with buildings that support modern learning.

ABOUT THE APRIL 2026 BOND

What it does:

• Replaces two aging schools: Hoover Elementary (built 1947, 78 years old) and Garfield Elementary (built 1966, 59 years old)
• Funds districtwide facility improvements across all 24 schools

Districtwide improvements include:

• Heating & cooling replacements
• Roof repairs & replacements
• Repairs & upgrades to school grounds
• Turf replacement, track resurfacing & court repairs
• Equal access upgrades to student spaces (Title IX compliance)
• Updates to aging spaces that affect instruction & student use

Passing requirements: 60% supermajority approval + 40% voter turnout (validation)

Important for renters: You are eligible to vote if you live within YSD boundaries. Voting is based on residence, not property ownership.

YOUR ROLE AS A VOLUNTEER

To organize our volunteer efforts effectively, we've grouped volunteers by elementary school boundary neighborhoods. This is simply an organizational tool—it helps volunteers connect with neighbors and makes coordination easier.

But this campaign isn't about individual schools. It's about all of Yakima coming together to support modern, safe learning environments for all students. You're advocating for the entire community's future.

Three ways to help:

1. Amplify on social media (primary method)
2. Contact your personal network (email, text, conversations)
3. Door knock (if participating in organized canvassing)

HOW TO AMPLIFY YES FOR YAKIMA KIDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Step 1: Follow the campaign accounts

Follow both accounts so posts appear in your feed:

Step 2: Share campaign posts to your story

Share posts as you see them in your feed, or check the pages each Sunday for new content.

On Facebook:

1. When you see a Yes for Yakima Kids post in your feed (or visit facebook.com/yesforyakimakids)
2. Click "Share" below the post
3. Select "Share to Your Story"
4. Add text: "Supporting Yes for Yakima Kids—our community's future depends on it"
5. Post

On Instagram:

1. When you see a Yes for Yakima Kids post in your feed (or visit instagram.com/yes4yakimakids)
2. Tap the paper airplane icon below the post
3. Select "Add post to your story"
4. Add text sticker: "Vote Yes April 28"
5. Share to story

How often? Share 1-2 posts per week. Check the accounts each Sunday if you haven't seen new posts in your feed.

Step 3: Repost to your feed with a personal comment

Copy and customize one of these:

• "Yakima says we support public schools—let's prove it on April 28. Vote yes to replace Hoover (78 years old) and Garfield (59 years old) and give our kids the schools they deserve. Building the schools our kids deserve starts with your vote."
• "In 2006 and 2007, we said no. Since then, these buildings have only gotten older and more expensive to maintain. We're at the tipping point. Vote yes April 28."
• "The state funds teachers. We fund buildings. That's how it works. And right now, Yakima needs to step up. Vote yes for $200M in improvements + $20.4M state match."
• "This bond costs the average homeowner about $21/month. That's less than most streaming services. Vote yes for safe, modern schools."
• "Hoover: built 1947. Garfield: built 1966. Both cost more to maintain than to rebuild. Let's finish what we should have done 20 years ago. Vote yes April 28."

Step 4: Tag friends in comments

On campaign posts, tag 3-5 friends who live in Yakima and write:

"April 28—let's show Yakima supports our schools"

EMAIL AND TEXT TEMPLATES FOR YOUR PERSONAL NETWORK

Short text message:

Email to friends/family:

DOOR KNOCKING GUIDELINES

(If Participating in Organized Canvassing)

You may receive door hangers and a list of addresses to contact.

Best practices:

• Go during daylight hours (10am–6pm on weekends, 4pm–7pm on weekdays)
• Knock firmly, wait 20 seconds
• If someone answers: Introduce yourself as a neighbor and Yakima resident, share why you support the bond, offer to answer questions
• If no answer: Hang door hanger on knob and add handwritten note

Sample handwritten note on door hanger:

Do not:

• Enter yards with "No Trespassing" signs
• Knock after dark
• Argue with voters who disagree
• Discuss district budget cuts, staffing issues, or programs (bond is for buildings only)

TALKING POINTS: ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Q: What does the bond pay for?

A: It replaces Hoover Elementary (78 years old) and Garfield Elementary (59 years old)—both now cost more to maintain than to rebuild—and funds facility improvements across all 24 schools: heating/cooling, roofs, accessibility upgrades, playgrounds, and aging infrastructure.

Q: Why didn't we do this 20 years ago?

A: Voters rejected bond proposals in 2006 and 2007 that would have replaced these same schools. Since then, the buildings have only gotten older and more expensive. We're now at the tipping point where it costs more to maintain them than to build new.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: $0.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the average Yakima County home valued at $315,000, that's approximately $21 per month.

Q: What about renters?

A: Renters don't pay property taxes, but renters who live within YSD boundaries are eligible to vote. Voting is based on residence, not property ownership.

Q: Why doesn't the state pay for this?

A: The state funds operational costs like teacher salaries and programs. School buildings are the local community's responsibility through voted taxation. If we pass this bond, the state contributes $20.4 million toward the total project cost—but only if we do our part first.

Q: Can this money be used for staff salaries or programs?

A: No. Bonds can only fund buildings and infrastructure. They cannot be used for staffing, programs, or classroom supplies.

Q: What happens if the bond doesn't pass?

A: Hoover and Garfield remain in use despite their age (78 and 59 years old). The district loses eligibility for $20.4 million in state matching funds. Maintenance costs continue to climb. And we'll be back to where we were in 2006—except the buildings will be even older and more expensive.

Q: Why does it need 60% to pass?

A: Washington state law requires school bonds to receive 60% supermajority approval AND 40% voter turnout (validation). Both thresholds must be met.

Q: When is the election?

A: Ballots must be returned by 8pm on April 28, 2026. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in mid-April.

Q: I'm concerned about recent budget cuts / staff issues.

A: This bond addresses buildings only and cannot be used for budget or staffing. Facilities and operations are separate funding streams. Aging infrastructure affects students regardless of other district challenges. We can't let operational disagreements prevent us from giving students the buildings they deserve.

Q: Yakima doesn't support taxes. Why would this pass?

A: That's the disconnect we're trying to address. State surveys show Yakima is one of the most supportive communities for public schools in Washington. But our voting history doesn't match our words. Building the schools our kids deserve means showing that support at the ballot box.

TRACK YOUR OUTREACH

Report your activities so campaign leaders can measure impact.

Tracking form: [Insert Google Form link]

Log each time you:

• Share a campaign post to your story
• Repost to your feed
• Tag friends in comments
• Send an email or text
• Have a conversation about the bond
• Knock doors (if participating)

Estimate your reach: How many people saw your post or received your message?

PROHIBITED TOPICS

QUESTIONS?

Campaign Chair: Esperanza Lemos

Contact: info@yakimakids.org

Visit: yakimakids.org

Check voter registration: votewa.gov

Follow:

• Instagram @yes4yakimakids
• Facebook @yesforyakimakids

Building the schools our kids deserve.
Thank you for supporting Yes for Yakima Kids.