Bond FAQ Friday Episode #8: What Does the Bond Mean for Safety at WHS?

When most people think about school safety, they think about locks and cameras. But safety means something much bigger than that and in Episode 8 of Bond FAQ Friday, Superintendent Kory Kalahar breaks down what safety really looks like at Wenatchee High School today, and what it could look like if the bond is approved by voters on November 3, 2026. Here is what you will learn: 🚪 112 exterior doors. Every one a potential entry point that has to be monitored, managed, and secured. A modern school is not designed this way. If the bond is approved by voters, the new WHS would have a secure, consolidated entry — fewer entry points, clearer sight lines, and a building envelope that meets modern safety and security standards. 🪟 Classrooms without windows, many current WHS classrooms have no natural light. Research consistently shows that students in classrooms with natural light progress measurably faster in reading and math, have better attendance, and report higher well-being. The new WHS would have windows and natural light in every classroom — because a healthy learning environment is a safe one. 🌫️ Air systems that cannot handle wildfire smoke or extreme heat. Last fall, air quality monitors showed unhealthy smoke levels inside the building. Classes were canceled. Students went home sick. This year, three HVAC units failed the day before school started, leaving 25 classrooms without cooling. A safe school is one where students can breathe clean air and learn comfortably every single day. If the bond is approved by voters, the new WHS would be designed with a secure consolidated entry, natural light in every classroom, and modern ventilation and air systems built for today's climate and the safety and academic success of every student and staff member who walks through the doors. Wenatchee voters will consider the $275 million bond measure on November 3, 2026 that, if approved, would rebuild most of Wenatchee High School and replace aging HVAC systems at seven schools across the district. 📚 Learn more: wenatcheeschools.org/bond