Construction Updates

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Construction Documents

Bond & Modernization Update: Progress You Can’t See Yet — But It’s Happening

Since voters approved the district bond in April 2025, one of the most common questions we hear is:

“When will construction start?”

It’s a fair question. The short answer is: we are moving forward on schedule, and a tremendous amount of work has already taken place — much of it behind the scenes.

This update explains what has happened, what is happening now, and what you can expect next.

A Major Investment in Our Schools

The district passed a $14 million bond that unlocked over $24 million in state matching funds through Washington’s School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP). That means local support leveraged state dollars to create a modernization project totaling more than $38 million.

This is a once-in-a-generation investment in our facilities — and we are committed to being responsible stewards of every dollar.

Why You Haven’t Seen Dirt Moving Yet

To qualify for state matching funds, our project timeline is tied to strict SCAP deadlines. Those deadlines mean construction cannot begin until bidding that is scheduled to happen near the end of July.

While visible construction has not started, the work happening now is critical. Before any shovel hits the ground, districts must complete:

· Environmental review (SEPA process)

· Permitting and regulatory approvals

· Architectural design and engineering

· Safety planning and code review

· Budget alignment and value engineering

· Bid document preparation

This groundwork ensures the project is safe, legal, financially sound, and ready to move quickly once construction begins.

Listening First: Staff and Community Input

Last fall, our architects met twice with teachers, custodians, food service staff, maintenance, administrators, coaches, and our athletic director. These sessions focused on identifying real needs — not just wants. Since the initial meetings, architects have continued to have regular back and forth conversations with administrators and program directors about actual plans and details.

Renovation projects require balancing vision with budget. Through collaboration, we focused on improvements that:

· Enhance safety

· Improve daily operations

· Support student learning

· Extend the life of our buildings

· Maximize long-term value

One major priority identified was building entry safety. All schools will be redesigned so visitors must enter through the main office. This improves security and protects students and staff.

Athletic Facility Improvements

The project also includes a significant modernization of athletic spaces:

· A turf football/soccer field at the current stadium

· A new all-weather track relocated to VG

· Relocation of baseball and softball fields to improve layout and function at VG

These changes create safer, more durable facilities that serve students and the community for decades.

Staying on Budget: Value Engineering

In January, the district and architects conducted a formal value engineering review. Every element of the design was evaluated against the available budget.

This process ensures:

· Needs are prioritized over luxury features

· The project remains within budget

· The final design delivers maximum impact per dollar

This step is essential in protecting public investment.

Upcoming Milestone: February Design Preview

On February 23, the architectural team will present updated design drawings to the board. These plans are approximately 70-80% complete and will be shared publicly at schools, around the community, and online.

This will give residents their first real look at what the project will become.

Importantly, this phase allows time to identify issues before final documents are locked in.

Why that matters:

Once bidding begins and construction starts, changes become change orders, and change orders are expensive. Catching details now protects the budget later.

Community engagement at this stage helps prevent unnecessary costs and keeps the project efficient.

Environmental Review & State Oversight

The district is currently working through the SEPA environmental review process. This includes opportunities for agency and public comment regarding environmental impacts.

After SEPA, the plans undergo review by multiple state authorities, including fire and safety officials. Only after these approvals are complete can the project move to competitive bidding.

This careful process protects safety, compliance, and taxpayer investment.

Competitive Bidding Protects Taxpayers

We anticipate putting the project out for bid in late July 2026.

Because few school bonds have passed statewide in recent years, we are hoping for strong contractor interest. Competitive bidding increases the likelihood of favorable pricing and high-quality construction.

School construction must meet prevailing wage requirements, which raises costs compared to private construction. That makes careful bidding even more important. Our goal is to extract maximum value from every dollar spent.

The Long-Term Vision

This project is designed to serve students and the community for the next 20–30 years.

We are not building for short-term appearance. We are investing in durability, safety, and function so future taxpayers are not asked to fund another large project prematurely.

This is about stewardship — honoring the trust voters placed in the district.

What Comes Next on the Bond Project

· Winter/Spring 2026: Final design, permitting, SEPA completion

· July 2026: Competitive bidding

· Fall 2026: Phased Construction begins

In the meantime, planning continues daily.

Even when construction isn’t visible, progress is constant.

Dawson Gym & Voc-Ag Modernization Project Summary

The district is moving forward with a $6 million state-funded modernization project focused on the Dawson Gym and the Vocational Agriculture (Vo-Ag) building. This project is separate from the larger bond work and is funded through a state modernization grant.

Originally, the district explored completing this work through an energy services company. After reviewing the final proposal, it became clear the plan would not fully address the district’s needs. The Board made the decision to move in a different direction so that the full value of the grant could be used to complete more of the necessary upgrades.

The project will now be designed and bid through the district’s architectural team — the same team working on the larger bond modernization project. This ensures consistency, efficiency, and strong oversight.

Planned Improvements

The Dawson Gym and Vo-Ag building project is focused on long-term facility needs, including:

· Roof replacement

· HVAC system upgrades

· Infrastructure improvements

These upgrades are designed to extend the life of both buildings, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and improve comfort and functionality for students and staff.

Timeline

The district’s goal is to:

· Bid the project in mid-May

· Begin construction summer 2026

· Complete major work by late fall or early winter

· Target completion by January

This timeline allows work to happen during summer months when buildings are less occupied, minimizing disruption to school operations.

Behind-the-Scenes Work

Although visible construction hasn’t started yet, significant planning is underway, including: