Cheney School District opens doors to 5,000+ students with new infrastructure upgrades

CHENEY, Wash. — Students in the Cheney School District stepped back into the classroom Tuesday to start the new school year.

Families saw the same old first-day-of-school excitement mixed with a first look at new infrastructure improvements.

The Cheney School District is a growing district, and most of its buildings are at or over capacity. A voter-approved 2024 bond is working to address that by funding the construction of a new elementary school.

“We had a whole boundary revision team that worked last spring and presented to the board the new boundaries for next year,” said Dr. Ben Ferney, superintendent for the Cheney School District. “It is going to be great for all of our schools and our kids.”

The bond funding is also directing resources toward multiple projects designed to relieve pressure on existing facilities.

At Salnave Elementary, crews completed work over the summer on a brand new expanded kitchen facility. The upgrade represents a substantial improvement from the school’s previous warming kitchen.

“Salnave before was a warming kitchen,” Ferney said. “Now they are going to be able to make the amazing meals that our nutritious services plans for our kids.”

Beyond the physical infrastructure improvements, the district is asking voters to support two supplemental levies on the November ballot. These measures are designed to fund learning programs and staff, addressing the operational needs that accompany the district’s growth.

“The big one is the EP & O levy, which is really about people and programs. It is really great that our community supports that,” Ferney said.

Both supplemental levies would replace existing levies, ensuring continued funding for educational programs and personnel as the district manages its expanding student population.

The combination of bond-funded capital improvements and proposed supplemental levies reflects the district’s comprehensive approach to managing growth while maintaining educational quality and student services.