Two Capital Projects Will Benefit Students!

A Meaningful Investment!

The future of Selah starts with its students.  That’s why the Selah School District is investing in the community’s future through two upcoming capital projects set to begin this spring and summer. From an updated outdoor athletic facility at the high school, to a hands-on career and technical learning space, these initiatives will provide safe, modern, and future-ready learning spaces that expand opportunities and strengthen the Selah community—at no additional cost to taxpayers.   

These two projects—installing field turf at Karl Graf Stadium at Selah High School and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) addition are more than just turf, bricks, and mortar—they represent a meaningful investment in Selah’s future.  They will expand opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom that reflect the community’s ongoing commitment to top-quality facilities that support every student. 

To understand how these projects came to fulfillment, it helps to look at the District’s long-range facilities plan. The installation of field turf at the high school and the construction of a CTE facility have long been part of the District’s comprehensive vision.  In May 2024, a Facilities Committee comprised of staff, parents, and patrons, convened to identify capital facility priorities for the next 25 years.  Guided by input from both the Committee and a district-wide stakeholder survey, these priorities serve as a roadmap for the Selah School Board in making future facility-related decisions.  Upgrades to Karl Graf Stadium and a new Selah High School CTE addition were recommended for the first phase of the plan.

One of the most important aspects of these projects is that there will be no tax increase for patrons and no new bond measure required to fund them. Together, the two initiatives have a projected cost of approximately $8.1 million, funded through a combination of existing capital projects funds, state assistance for the CTE addition, and endowment resources from the Wilbur Repp Estate.  Because capital fund dollars can only be used for capital projects, these initiatives are eligible, ensuring the funds are used as intended.  While each project draws from different funding sources, this approach reflects the District’s strong commitment to responsible financial planning. Detailed and individual funding information will be provided as each project is described. 

Using previous voter-approved capital dollars, the District is ready to move from planning to action.  As fall and winter of 2025 give way to spring and summer of 2026, the District will break ground on the two improvement projects benefiting students and the community.  Installation of new field turf at Karl Graf Stadium is set to begin in early March, and construction of the high school’s CTE addition is scheduled to start in mid-June.  Both projects reflect the District’s commitment to providing safe, durable, and modern learning environments that support students both academically and athletically.

“From athletic fields to the classroom, these projects are about giving our students spaces where they can grow, learn, and thrive,” said Superintendent Kevin McKay.  “Safe, practical, and forward-looking facilities aren’t just investments in buildings—they’re investments in the future of every Selah student and our community.”

 

The installation of field turf at Karl Graf Stadium and the CTE addition represent a meaningful investment in Selah's future.

Students will have expanded opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.