NEWBERG, Ore. — Newberg-Dundee voters are deciding on two contested Yamhill County commissioner seats and a school district ballot measure that, if passed, would provide additional operating funds during a projected budget shortfall.
Measure 36-239, titled “5-Year Levy to Preserve Neighborhood Schools, Teachers, Class Sizes,” would impose a $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value tax, expiring after five years. The district estimates the levy would raise approximately $6.1 million annually.
The school district currently carries a voter-approved tax rate of $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed value, which funds a capital improvement bond. If the measure passes, the additional $1.20 would be levied on top of that existing rate, bringing the combined voter-approved total to $2.48 per $1,000.
The levy is endorsed by all seven Newberg-Dundee school board directors, the Newberg Education Association, George Fox University President Robin Baker, Newberg City Councilors Jeri Turgesen and Elise Yarnell Hollamon, and other community members. The measure is opposed by the Yamhill County Republican Party and the Taxpayers Association of Oregon.
The board voted 7-0 on Feb. 10 to refer the measure to voters, citing a projected $5.7 million operating shortfall for the 2026-27 school year driven by rising costs, flat state support, and efforts to restore a full academic calendar. Superintendent Dave Parker said the district has already cut 76.75 full-time equivalent positions over two years — including reductions across administration, teaching, and support staff — and has trimmed school budgets and frozen nonessential spending.
District leaders say those steps haven’t been enough to close the gap. Without new local revenue, officials say cuts in 2026-27 could include 25 teaching positions, 10 support staff positions, and five school days, with potential school closures and grade reconfiguration possible in the following year.
The graphic below compares what the district says would happen if the levy passes against what would happen if it does not.
Ballots for the May 19 special election must be postmarked or dropped off at a county ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on the 19th. Learn more at the Yamhill County Elections website.
Measure 36-239: What Happens Either Way
A side-by-side look at the outcomes voters are deciding on May 19
- All six neighborhood elementary schools remain open, including Ewing Young
- 25 licensed teaching positions preserved
- 10 non-teaching staff positions preserved
- Class sizes stabilized, blended-grade classrooms avoided
- Generates an estimated $6.1M in year one; ~$32.5M over five years
- Funds held in a separate account; Citizens Budget Committee reports quarterly
- No levy funds used for administration, buildings, or maintenance
- K–5 neighborhood school model maintained district-wide
- No boundary changes required in the near term
- Ewing Young Elementary School likely closed; students redistributed
- Up to 25 licensed teaching positions eliminated
- Up to 10 non-teaching staff positions eliminated
- Five furlough days remain; full school year not restored
- District faces projected $4.5–$5.7M budget shortfall in 2026–27
- Previously announced reduction-in-force process proceeds
- District has already cut 76.75 FTE positions over two years
- K–4 elementary / grades 5–6 intermediate / grades 7–8 middle school restructuring likely
- Edwards Elementary may convert to dual-language only; English-only students reassigned
- Boundary changes and grade reconfigurations targeted for fall 2027
