Newberg School Levy - Vote No before May 19, 2026
Measure 36-239
Newberg-Dundee School District Levy
The Yamhill County Republican Party opposes Measure 36-239 and urges voters to vote NO on this proposed five-year local option levy.
YCRP Position: Vote NO
The Yamhill County Republican Party opposes this levy because we believe taxpayers should not be asked to cover for repeated budgeting failures without meaningful structural reform.
YCRP’s position is that this proposal asks property owners for more money while the district continues to struggle with declining enrollment, weak budget discipline, and a pattern of returning to taxpayers instead of making harder internal decisions.
Why YCRP Opposes This Levy
1) More taxes without enough reform
YCRP argues the district has not yet made the level of operational changes needed to match current enrollment and financial realities.
2) Declining enrollment matters
YCRP contends the district cannot continue operating as though enrollment levels have remained unchanged, and should right-size staffing and facilities accordingly.
3) Voters already approved a major bond
Taxpayers previously approved a $141 million construction bond. YCRP’s position is that district leadership should now demonstrate stronger financial discipline before seeking additional operating taxes.
4) Accountability should come first
YCRP believes the district should close underutilized schools, reduce administrative bloat, align staffing with enrollment, and impose tighter budget controls before asking families for more.
Full Opposition Statement
Measure 36-239 – Newberg-Dundee School District Local Option Levy
Vote NO on this tax increase.
The Yamhill County Republican Party opposes this five-year local option levy of $1.20 per $1,000 assessed value (approximately $400/year on a $330,000 home). It’s a bailout for financial mismanagement, not a fix for declining enrollment.
As enrollments continue to decline, from 4,206 students in 2022-2023, to 4,051 in 2023-2024, and now to less than 4000 students, nearly a 19% loss since 2019, the district refuses to accept this reality and continues budgeting as if it is “business as usual.” Student-teacher ratios are already generous (15:1 overall, 21:1 elementary), but they demand more taxpayer money to preserve tiny classes, keep bloated staffing, and continue their spending habits.
Recently, voters approved a $141 million bond for new buildings and upgrades. Since this bond cannot pay salaries, they are back asking for more money.
The current board and superintendent, now years into “fixing the mess,” still blames the “old” administration for the deficits. Yet under their watch, overspending patterns continue, with lingering low reserves, unchecked rising costs, and another projected $4.5 million shortfall. Two full budget cycles later, they are still chasing handouts instead of enforcing real discipline. With millions over budget in special education programs, outside contractors and support services with poor oversight, this continued pattern is leading to future shortfalls. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to keep covering for the recklessness of this current leadership.
The district must get its house in order by closing underutilized schools, trimming administrative bloat, appropriately sizing staff to enrollments, and enforcing stricter budget discipline much like every Oregon family and small business does every day.
Enough excuses, it is time to demand accountability and send a clear message to this administration — VOTE NO on this levy.
Contact: www.yamhill.gop/nsdlevy
This statement reflects the position of the Yamhill County Republican Party.
Newberg-Dundee’s problem is not lack of taxpayer support
Before asking voters for a new five-year tax levy, the district should explain why enrollment has fallen, staffing has not been reduced in step with that decline, and higher spending has not clearly produced stronger outcomes. These trends point to a management problem, not a taxpayer funding problem.
Newberg SD 29J enrollment fell from 5,007 students to 4,033 students between 2018-19 and 2024-25, a decline of 19%.
Over that same period, the district increased full-time equivalent employees from 510 to 530, an increase of 4%.
Oregon staffing rose dramatically while statewide student enrollment declined, showing a broader pattern of staffing growth disconnected from student count.
Enrollment fell, but staffing still grew
One of the clearest warning signs is that Newberg-Dundee added employees even while losing nearly one out of every five students. That is the opposite of what families, small businesses, and local taxpayers are forced to do when demand drops.
Instead of resizing operations to reflect reality, district staffing moved in the wrong direction. That is exactly why voters are being asked to step in again.
Oregon’s statewide trend shows the same problem
This is not just a Newberg issue. Across Oregon, school staffing has climbed while student enrollment has dropped. That means taxpayers are being asked to fund a system that keeps growing payroll even as it serves fewer students.
Newberg voters should be very cautious about rewarding the same pattern locally with another tax increase.
More spending does not automatically mean better results
The expenditure and proficiency comparison also raises serious questions. Newberg schools are not obviously outperforming despite substantial per-pupil spending. Throwing more money into a system without correcting its underlying management problems is not accountability. It is avoidance.
Taxpayers deserve to know why the district wants new money before showing stronger evidence that current resources are being used effectively.
When enrollment drops 19 percent, staffing rises, and spending still does not clearly translate into standout results, the answer is not another levy. The answer is discipline, restructuring, and accountability. That is why YCRP urges a NO vote on Measure 36-239.
Learn More About the Levy
Review YCRP’s position, read the full opposition statement, and share this page with voters in the Newberg-Dundee School District.