construction projects
School Construction Bond on Hold
Superintendent Welch has recommended that the school board not run a school construction bond on the May 2010 ballot. The district will be finishing up two schools currently under construction and will be ready to start on new projects. However, the superintendent advised waiting until the economy shows stronger signs of recovery.
A citizen’s committee has developed a prioritized list of schools to be replaced when the next bond is passed by voters.
In May, the school board will re-evaluate and discuss the possibility of running a bond measure on the same ballot with its educational program levy in spring 2011.
It's a new school at Marvista Elementary
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Marvista Elementary welcomed students to their new building on the first day of school. The main components of the building -- classrooms, lunchroom, and common areas -- were completed on time and on budget. Finishing touches, such as landscaping and playfields, will be completed in the next few weeks.
Principal Rebekah Kim commented, “Our students and staff are so excited about the new building. It provides space for great learning opportunities and for our community to gather - with the school as the centerpiece.”
"We are still taking in our breathtaking and beautiful new Marvista home," Kim added. "The parents and students came to enjoy the new building at our "Meet and Greet" and kindergarten orientation on September 3rd."
The community is invited to a Grand Opening Celebration scheduled for Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be a short program beginning at 5:45 p.m., with tours and dinner following.
Marvista, located in Normandy Park, is the twelfth new school to be completed in Highline since 2004. The construction projects have been financed by bonds approved by voters in 2002 and 2006. Prior to 2002, no school construction bond had been approved since 1986. During that 16-year period, the district was unable to replace aging buildings.
“We had a long list of old and outdated schools that needed to be replaced,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are grateful that the community saw that need and approved the funding to allow us to build schools that are safer and provide the current technology our students need to compete in today’s world.”
Community Committee on Capital Projects
A community committee has been formed to identify and prioritize capital construction plans for Highline Public Schools. The committee is made up of community members, parents, staff, PTSA and Highline Citizens for Schools representatives, and five expert members with experience in construction and city management.
The committee is tasked with reviewing the list of schools in need of attention as identified in the recently completed Study and Survey. The Study and Survey, required by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, details the physical condition of each school building owned by the district.
The committee has begun its work and will continue to meet over the next few months to consider the Study and Survey, conduct critical analysis of the needs, and prepare recommendations for a long-range plan for capital construction for Highline Public Schools. They will prioritize needs and identify which projects might be put before the voters for consideration in upcoming bonds. The committee is expected to present its recommendations to the superintendent in late May or early June.
Capital improvements are funded by bonds, which must be approved by voters. By law, these funds cannot be used for general fund expenditures such as teachers and programs.
McMicken Heights project is underway
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Highline to gain $2 million in state capital funds
The school district will receive approximately $2 million in additional state matching funds from construction of McMicken Heights Elementary.
The state awards matching funds for all school construction projects. This fall, the district becomes eligible for a higher rate of state match.
Construction on a new McMicken Heights facility was scheduled to begin last spring. However, the school board voted to postpone the project until fall in order to secure the additional $2 million. Board members cited the responsibility to be good stewards of district resources in their decision.
The change means the new McMicken Heights building will open in winter 2011, rather than September 2010 as originally planned.
The Phase-I, Demolition & Abatement work is well under way. Abatement is approximately 85% complete and the Demolition of the existing building should begin as early as August 20th. Phase-I is expected to be complete at the end of September.
The Phase-II, Building Construction & Site Improvements portion was advertised August 12th and is anticipated to begin November of 2009.
The McMicken Heights Elementary staff and students will begin the 2009-2010 school year at the Sunnydale interim site. They will continue use of Sunnydale through the fall of 2010 with occupancy anticipated for early 2011.
More to Come
The 14 projects now complete or underway represent great strides toward necessary updates in learning environments in our district.
A true quest for excellence means reviewing the entire district landscape. Highline recently contracted with an architectural firm to evaluate the physical condition of every facility. Using guidelines set by the state Superintendant of Public Instruction, a recent report stated other facilities clearly require attention.
Bonds passed in 2002 and 2006 funded the completion of 14 quality schools; now community input will be sought to prioritize the next projects. A new bond measure must pass to provide resources to continue the progress and replace or improve more aging facilities.
