Ballots for the Cascade School District levies are due February 11.
Please remember to vote! If you want to learn more about what you are
voting for, please visit our website at www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
Cascade School District Saves Taxpayers $1.5 Million in Bond Refinancing
Leavenworth – On February 4, 2025, Cascade School District No. 228 successfully refinanced its 2015 Bonds through a $16.4 million bond sale. This refinancing will save taxpayers $1.54 million over the next 10 years by reducing the district’s debt.
The District was able to achieve these savings by issuing the new bonds at an average interest rate of 3.15%, down from the previous rate of 4.68%. This was made possible by the district’s careful monitoring of bond market conditions and the approval of the refunding bonds by the Board on November 25, 2024.
The district’s top “A1” credit rating that was recently reinstated from Moody’s helped attract investors, reducing borrowing costs. Additionally, participation in the Washington State School District Credit Enhancement Program, which offers repayment security, further lowered the cost. Superintendent Dr. Tracey Edou said, “Our team worked hard to minimize costs and reduce the tax burden on our community. These savings will help offset future taxes for our residents.”
EP&O Levy Facts: Our athletics and extra-curricular activities are
funded by levy dollars! This support includes funding for all sports and
activities, covering up to 71 coaching and advising positions, as well as
transportation and equipment based on student participation.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
EP&O Levy Facts: Our athletics and extra-curricular activities are
funded by levy dollars! This support includes funding for all sports and
activities, covering up to 71 coaching and advising positions, as well as
transportation and equipment based on student participation.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
Cascade High School's monthly newspaper is out!!
The January edition of The Kodiak Chronicle is here!
Are you curious about Cocoa and Cram? Do you want to know the details of the upcoming Grizzled Old Men game? Have you always wondered how the CHS Knowledge Bowl team has so much success? Do you want details and insight into student perspectives regarding the new CSD Phone Policy implementation? Did you miss the 2025 Winter Concert and want to know how the event went? Would you like to learn more about our CHS Wrestling program and Senior Night?
It's all in there and MORE!
This week is National School Counseling Week, when we focus attention on the unique contributions of school counselors to our schools. Counselors have so much positive impact on helping students achieve success, problem-solve, and prepare for the future. Please thank Mrs. Waggoner, Mrs. Getsinger, Mrs. Grace, and Mrs. Rieke for all they do!
Congratulations to the IRMS Math is Cool Team who competed Friday night in the regional competition! The 6th grade team placed second overall! Huckson W took second place for all 6th graders in the region. The 7th/8th grade team also finished second place overall in the top division of 8th grade students! Ben C-K won first place in the Pre Algebra division. Both teams have been invited to continue competing at Masters in April. Great job, Mathletes!
Congratulations to all our band students who participated in this year's Solo and Ensemble Competition! The following students each earned 1st place in their instrument category:
Kate S and Kai K - 1st Place Regionals, Woodwinds Small Ensemble; Edith P V - 1st Place Regionals, Trombone; Todd L - 1st Place Regionals, Trumpet; Kai K - 1st Place Regionals, Mallets AND 2nd Alternate for the State level competition. Great job, students!
Cascade High School's monthly newspaper is out!!
The January edition of The Kodiak Chronicle is here! https://thekodiakchroincle.wixsite.com/news
Are you curious about Cocoa and Cram? Do you want to know the details of the upcoming Grizzled Old Men game? Have you always wondered how the CHS Knowledge Bowl team has so much success? Do you want details and insight into student perspectives regarding the new CSD Phone Policy implementation? Did you miss the 2025 Winter Concert and want to know how the event went? Would you like to learn more about our CHS Wrestling program and Senior Night?
It's all in there and MORE!
Another facility improvement project for the
district, is modernizing the Peshastin-Dryden Sport Complex Restrooms. If
the levy is approved in February, this project will provide modern,
accessible facilities for students, staff, and community members,
enhancing everyone's experience.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
EP&O Levy Facts: Levy dollars help our district cover the costs of
essential positions that are not funded by the state! This includes funding
for more than 28 in-school positions and over 71 after-school positions,
such as librarians, custodians, paraprofessionals, nurses, mechanics, food
service workers, and counselors.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
The voter-approved technology/safety/facilities levy supports
district-wide security. If the levy is passed in February, the district can
implement security features to ensure a safer environment for all
students and staff.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
Cascade School District has bus driver openings. Paid training, benefits, $24/hr to start. We would love to have you join our team! Please contact us at 509-548-6039.
EP&O Levy Facts: Levy dollars help our district cover additional
operating costs, including unforeseen expenses! With operating costs for
school districts rising across the state, these funds are crucial for snow
removal, fuel cost inflation, employee benefits, and special education
needs, ensuring smooth operations throughout the district.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
Levy Facts: The proposed levy rates for collection years 2026-2029 are
strategically redistributed to better support district needs without increasing
the overall tax rate.
In 2021, voters passed a 4-year EP&O levy and a 4-year Capital Levy,
both of which expire in December 2025. Voters passed an estimated rate
of $0.99 for the EP&O levy and an estimated rate of $0.15 for the capital
levy, for a combined total estimated levy rate of $1.14.
If the replacement levies pass in February 2025, the dollars will be
redistributed due to the new proposed rates for each levy. The combined
total estimated levy rate would stay at $1.14.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
The upcoming Cascade School District levy requests will have two propositions on the February 11, 2025 ballot. Proposition 1 is a proposed replacement Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O, formerly called M&O) levy. Proposition 2 is a proposed replacement technology/safety/facilities levy. Local levies support educational activities that are not funded by the state. These proposed levies are not new taxes but would replace the ones currently being collected. For more information on these, please visit https://www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
The 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest opened in September. The theme this year is “Innovating Smarter” and we’re asking students to write a piece describing a common object they would make “smart” and tell us what it would do, how it would help people, and what could go wrong. The contest is open to all students, of any gender, in grades 3-12 and the deadline is February 1, 2025. The prize for first place in each of three grade categories is $1,000. See: https://www.engineergirl.org/154382/2025-Writing-Contest-Innovating-Smarter
We have had an OVERWHELMING response for the After School Ski and Snowboard Club this year. 70 students signed up to learn how to ski or board! Most of these students have never skied or boarded before and can use help getting started.
The first day of Ski Club is Wednesday, January 15th, 3-5pm. The club runs 3-5pm at Leavenworth Ski Hill:
• January 15th, 22nd, 29th
• February 5th, 12th, 26th
We will need the most help on January 15th & 22nd when students are learning how to put on their boots and getting used to their gear. NO SKIING EXPERIENCE NEEDED. However, if you have skis or a snowboard and would like to help teach students how to ski or board that would be great!
Please share with anyone who may be interested. If you are not an employee of Cascade SD, you will need to fill out the online volunteer form: https://www.cascadesd.org/page/volunteer-information
Please contact Abde Elshafei or Isabelle Auty for questions or comments.
EP&O Levy Facts: Levy dollars help bridge the funding gaps for
essential student programs and resources! This includes support for the
school lunch program, outdoor education, advanced learning programs, and special
education, ensuring all students receive the necessary resources to thrive.
Be sure to vote by February 11. Learn more about how levy dollars are
making a difference in our community on our website:
www.cascadesd.org/page/2025-levies
Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Please join us in thanking Deputy Hunter for his hard work! He is an amazing person and a great role model.
