Bond Project Update: November 2023

Thank you, voters!

Elementary #19 gets a new name!

The Naming Committee for Elementary #19 was comprised of parents, community members, district office administrators, and principals. The primary objective of the Naming Committee was to propose names that would stand the test of time while resonating with current and future generations. Input for Elementary #19’s name was gathered in a wide variety of ways from a number of stakeholders within the community, inclduing staff, parents, students, and community members. In November, the committee offered two finalists to the School Board for consideration. The Board selected Expedition Elementary as the name of the new school.

The name Expedition conveys a sense of exploration and adventure, suggesting that the elementary school is a place where students embark on a journey of discovery and learning that captivates their natural curiosity and creativity. An expedition often involves teamwork and collaboration, and using this term for an elementary school can emphasize the importance of working together. It suggests that students, staff, and parents are all part of a unified team, traversing the educational landscape together to achieve common goals and success.

Finally, the term expedition implies a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience that has the ability to surpass traditional academics and suggests a focus on holistic development, including not only the intellectual growth but also social, emotional, and physical development. Expedition reflects the school’s commitment to providing a complete and enriching educational journey for its students.

Construction crews are already hard at work on the 66,000-square-foot building, which will be located in the Lipoma Firs Community. When it’s complete, the school will house about 500 students in 27 general classrooms and various shared spaces.

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, that will include eight additional classrooms and a new commons. The team is planning for prep work to start in spring 2024.

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.

New Bethel High School

There is a lot of excitement around the New Bethel High School Project, which is anticipated to begin in 2024, subject to permitting.

This spring we submitted our conditional use permits with the county. The project went before the Graham Land Use Advisory Commission in September, and the county Hearing Examiner in October. Once it gets underway, the construction timeline will be 27 months.

Cedarcrest Middle School Expansion

Our construction team conducted a Feasibility Study for the Cedarcrest Middle School expansion project. This study will help assess the needs and budget parameters, so we don’t run into any issues along the way. This winter, the team plans to begin the educational specifications for the project.

Completed Projects

Thank you, voters! Thanks to your support, the following projects are all now complete!

NEW Challenger High School

NEW Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School

NEW Naches Trail Elementary School

EXPANSION Graham-Kapowsin High School

2023/24 Facility Advisory Committee convenes

Our new Facility Advisory Committee met for the first time in November to begin the process of examining the current state of our district facilities and planning for future improvements, expansions and new schools.

The team is made up of parents, community members, business owners, school and district staff, as well as School Board members. Students will also be part of future meetings to ensure they have a voice in the future of the district.

The group’s focus will be on the needs of students — their health, safety, security, and athletic opportunities, as well as the growth our district is experiencing. As more houses and high density apartments are built in our area, more families and future students will move into our district, and the need for new or expanded schools will continue to grow.

School Board Policy 6900 regarding Facility Planning states that the district should work to provide the, “best possible physical environment for learning and teaching.”

The input the Facility Advisory Committee will provide on future capital projects and facility improvements will be essential to our future planning.

The team will continue to meet monthly starting in January, and plans to bring their recommendations to the School Board in the summer.