Here’s the challenge: Neah-Kah-Nie is one of only four school districts in Oregon that does not receive State School Fund dollars. Instead, we rely heavily on timber revenue — and this year, that revenue dropped sharply. The district is facing a $2.7 million shortfall in the 2025–26 school year, with no way to replace that loss without local support.
Measure 29-184 is a five-year local option levy that would raise about $2 million per year to stabilize funding for our schools. It replaces the 2004 construction bond that built the middle school, which is expiring. Most property owners would see a modest increase — about $5.50 more per month for a home assessed at $250,000. That’s a net rate increase of about 26 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. It is important to note
that the assessed value of your property is much lower than its market value. This levy will help the district maintain current staffing levels and preserve key programs like art, music, athletics, career and technical education, and dual credit classes. These programs and people are essential to student success — and to the values of our community.
Strong public schools are part of what makes North Tillamook County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. This levy is our chance to come together and invest in the people — students, teachers, and staff — who shape the future of our community. And it will stabilize the district’s funding over the next five years while we monitor changes in state timber harvests.
Neah-Kah-Nie has a long track record of financial responsibility. When voters approved the 2004 bond, the district consistently levied less than authorized. We are committed to doing the same here: if timber revenues rebound, we will revisit and reduce the levy rate.
Please join us in voting Yes on Measure 29-184 on May 20 — for our Neah-Kah-Nie kids, teachers and staff, and our community.
Sincerely,
Sandy Tyrer, Chair
on behalf of the Neah-Kah-Nie School Board