“The community will decide”: $440 million ‘Together Spokane’ measure on the ballot in just a over a month

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane voters will soon head to the ballots to decide the fate of Together Spokane, a $440 million joint initiative between Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation that supporters say will transform the community.

The unique proposal consists of two separate but aligned measures: a $200 million bond for Spokane Public Schools and a $240 million levy for Spokane Parks and Recreation. Together, they aim to fund more than 200 projects across the city.

“We want everybody to look at it and have their own personal reflection. And ultimately, the community will decide if this is the right investment at the right time,” said Dr. Adam Swinyard, Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools.

The initiative represents an unprecedented collaboration between the two organizations, which say they are working together to avoid duplicating services and programs.

“Rather than looking at duplicating services, duplicating projects and programs with that mission alignment, how can we work together, being more efficient for the community in Spokane?” said Garrett Jones.

Both organizations cite growing community needs as the driving force behind the initiative. Officials say they are running out of space at facilities as demand continues to outpace resources.

“We’re at a point in Parks and Recreation where we just don’t have the resources and the staff to be able to accommodate the demand that we’re seeing,” Jones said.

However, the proposal faces opposition from community members concerned about adding financial burden during challenging economic times.

“This city is constantly being taxed, just like the state,” said Russell Neff, who wrote the “against” statement for the SPS bond in the voter guide.

Neff argues the initiative won’t address fundamental problems within schools, pointing to academic performance concerns.

“Our city also has challenges with math and English scores in the state… these are things I consider when I hear investments in schools,” Neff said.

The timing of the proposal comes after Spokane Public Schools’ last bond measure failed in 2024, breaking a pattern of successful school bond passages. District officials say they listened to community feedback in crafting this new proposal.

“We heard from the community… more value, more projects, more value for the dollar,” Swinyard said.

If both measures pass, they would add around $96 per year in property taxes for the average homeowner.

For more information and to estimate how the initiative could impact individual taxpayers, visit www.togetherspokane.org.