2009-10 Long-term Facilities Planning
Following a November 12 work session on school facilities planning, the Snoqualmie Valley School Board of Directors agreed to narrow the focus of its research efforts on the two models that surfaced as the most viable solutions to address the long-term facility needs of our schools. The Board supported the recommendation of the Long-term Facilities Planning Committee to continue to investigate two of the five models that were explored over the past six months. Both of these models also garnered the most consistent positive feedback from the community, by maintaining the district's current grade configuration of K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 as the best format for our students, and addressing the growth at the high school level.
An expanded timeline was also approved to allow for more analysis of the details (design logistics, costs, program opportunities, etc.) of each remaining model, and provide for additional community engagement. The revised timeline works toward a School Board decision in the March/April, 2010 timeframe.
The remaining two options are listed below in no specific order. Click on the headline for each model for projected enrollment and building capacity relevant to each solution:
A. Expansion of Mount Si High School
This model adds capacity at Mount Si High School through an expansion of the current facility. Some remodeling will also be necessary to accommodate the expansion. Improvements through this option would focus on elevating areas prone to flooding, reengineering parts of the building to support second floor classrooms, modernizing the current aging facility (including common areas to accommodate a larger HS population), and possibly adding a parking garage. The combined cost of a comprehensive expansion and remodel to Mount Si High School is comparable to building a new school (around $100 million). However, significant savings would be realized with this option in two ways. There would be no need to purchase land for a second high school at this time. Also, savings to the District's General Fund would be achieved on an annual basis by avoiding the ongoing day-to-day costs associated with operating a second high school (approximately $2.5 to $3 million per year). A potential challenge includes how to accommodate students and staff during construction.
B. Annexation of SMS to High School and Building a Replacement Middle School
This model alleviates overcrowding at Mount Si High School by utilizing the space at nearby Snoqualmie Middle School for high school students and staff. This option also proposes building a replacement middle school on district-owned land to accommodate students in grades 6-8, who would attend SMS. This slightly-modified proposal would expand the high school capacity to house 500-600 more students. Building a new middle school costs less than an new high school (approximately $50 million), takes less time to build, and requires less land. The district may also be able to save time and costs by re-using the design developed for Twin Falls Middle School. The district's current operating costs for SMS would basically transfer to the new building. There would be some increase in operating costs to the high school from the annexation of the SMS facility, but not as much as a new 2nd high school would require. Potential challenges for this option include: high school student transitions to and from the "satellite" campus and main high school, some renovation to SMS would be needed to "fit" high school students, and some areas of Mount Si High School will still require renovation as the facility ages.
Next Steps in the Process:
- November 13, 2009 - January 2010
- Provide opportunities for Community/Staff Input
- Futher refine details associated with both models being considered
- Long-Term Facilities Planning (LTFP) Committee continue to meet
- February 11, 2010
- LTFP Committee presents recommendation to the Board
- February 12 - 24, 2010
- Provide additional opportunities for community input
- February 25, 2010
- Public Hearing regarding recommendation
- February 26 - March 10, 2010
- Provide additional opportunities for community input
- March 11, 2010
- School Board takes action on recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - updated 12/18/2009
More information will continue to be posted regarding these potential models as work continues to define the best solution for Snoqualmie Valley schools.
