Bond Project Update: February 2024
Thank you, voters!
Bethel has always been a growing district. In the past 20 years, we’ve added 4,000 students to our rosters. But what will the next 20 years look like?
“In Pierce County, only three school districts are continuing to grow,” Executive Director of Operations Paul Marquardt said. “Those districts are Sumner-Bonney Lake, White River, and you guessed it, the mighty Bethel School District.”
Marquardt said recent county zoning changes are accelerating the number of new families moving into our area. You can already see a number of these units completed along 176th and Mountain Highway.
“More dwelling units means more people, which means more families. That means more students in our schools,” said Marquardt.
Our Facility Advisory Committee, made up of community members, business owners, parents, staff, and students are examining the forecasted growth in our community right now. As part of their charge, they are looking at our current enrollment, building conditions, security and safety, and weighing those against the next wave of new students.
“In the next 20 years, we’re expected to grow by 1,100 elementary students,” Marquardt said. “That’s enough to fill three new elementary schools.”
Expedition Elementary
Construction crews are making amazing progress on our newest bond-funded school, Expedition Elementary. The 66,000-square-foot building, which will be located in the Lipoma Firs Community, will house about 500 students in 27 general classrooms and various shared spaces when it opens this fall.
New Bethel High School
A Community Meeting about the New Bethel High School project will be held on March 12th at 5:30 p.m. at Bethel High School.
The groundbreaking for the New Bethel High School will be held on March 26 at 6 p.m. Parking will be at Rainier View Christian Church on 224th.
Construction on the New Bethel High School will break ground on March 26, 2024. During the past 15 years, there have been enough hurdles, twists, turns and barriers to building to fill a novel.
In keeping with the wishes of the Crate family, who some of the land was purchased from, a plan to build a memorial plaza in honor of Casey Crate will be part of the New Bethel High School campus.
The timeline for the project is currently 27 months.
Evergreen Elementary Expansion
The much needed expansion of Evergreen Elementary is now in permitting. This project will add 10,000 square feet to the school, which will include eight additional classrooms and a new commons. The team is planning for prep work to start this spring.
The main part of the construction will take place once school gets out for the summer. The old Naches Trail Elementary will become home to the Evergreen Elementary staff and students for the 2024/25 school year while the renovation and expansion of their school takes place.
Cedarcrest Middle School
We’re excited to announce that we have completed the selection process for the Cedardrest Middle School Renovation & Expansion project. The district recommended and the School Board approved BCRA, Inc. of Tacoma to perform the architectural services.
Our construction team recently conducted a Feasibility Study for the project to better realize the options available to them before starting the design work. This study will help them assess the needs and budget parameters, so we don’t run into any issues along the way.
