Zorrozua once again chosen
CHENEY — Cheney Public Schools is gearing up for another bond campaign set for November, with Superintendent Ben Ferney and Finance Director Jamie Reed outlining their strategies and challenges at the July 17 school board meeting.
Zachary Zorrozua and Heather Schlake also unanimously approved to write the pro position and against position, respectively.
Superintendent Ferney emphasized the importance of the bond, describing it as a crucial step for the district’s future. “We need this, this is a big one in November,” Ferney said. To bolster their efforts, the district has hired Megan Garret to assist with the campaign.
Ferney stressed the importance of engaging parents, staff, and the community.
During the meeting, Finance Director Jamie Reed detailed the bond timeline and underscored the urgency of the upcoming deadlines. Public notices for the bond campaign were published on July 4 and July 11, with the resolution filing deadline set for August 6.
Ballots will be mailed out on October 18, and the election date is November 5, with county certification on November 26.
She also addressed the financial challenges facing the district, noting a projected $477 million decrease in state revenue from 2023 to 2025. Despite this, Reed remained optimistic, pointing out the district’s resilience. “We’re not alone, thankfully, and we’re not in big layoffs like other districts in the country,” she said.
Reed highlighted the growth in the region, particularly in Airway Heights, which is seeing significant development. “Growth is coming, even if we haven’t seen it in enrollment yet,” she explained.
The board members also weighed in on the bond campaign.
Board Chair Henry Browne remarked, “These are quite broad, but it concisely describes what the goals are.”
“If it doesn’t go through, it won’t be because of voter turnout,” Ferney added, referencing the 2024 election and its potential to provide valuable data for future campaigns.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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