Public schools belong to the entire community, and funding for capital improvements is generated through voter-approved bond measures. It is essential that community members help develop ESD's long-term capital facilities plan to reflect the values and priorities of the community.
The Community Facilities Oversight for Capital Utilization and Sustainability (FOCUS) Committee serves as a community-led citizens' committee that studies the district's capital facilities needs, reviews data and develops recommendations for the school board designed to meet the needs of ESD students, families, staff, and the community over the next twenty years.
The committee held its fourth and most recent meeting on April 2, 2024. During the meeting, committee members reviewed district facility needs and determined whether the needs we immediate needs or projects that could be completed over the next five, ten, or more years. Committee members worked in small groups and shared the following brainstorm ideas:
To Be Completed As Soon As Possible
Ten Trails Elementary School
Combining Southwood Elementary and Byron Kibler Elementary in a larger capacity school and adjusting boundaries
Fitting BT5 students in that combined school or using a small portion of Southwood Elementary
Security for all schools
Westwood/Thunder Mountain Roofing
Black Diamond AC- due to two stories
Immediate maintenance needs are prioritized, and buildings are maintained
Looking at staffing and changes that could be made to maintain
Safety and security needs
PAC Rebuild
Repaving McDougall Ave
Rebuild Kibler- Combine with Southwood or Westwood
To Be Completed in the Next Five Years
Performing Arts Center
Middle school expansion- EMS
Elementary campus rebuild- Kibler
New Elementary in Black Diamond
K-8 school
To Be Completed in the Next Ten Years
Rebuild and expand middle schools
K-8 School in Black Diamond ( one of the K-8 could be converted back to an elementary)
To Be Completed Beyond Ten Years
Additional High School or expansion of EHS
Funding and Other Creative Ideas:
Grant funding
Capital Levy
Naming rights to naming buildings/Sponsorships
Developing super campuses( 4) consolidate operations, separate K-2 and 3-5
Creating “centers” of education
District dispossessing itself of property/real estate assets
Exploring partnership projects with the city
Land swaps with the city- Pete’s with six-plex
Sell J.J. Smith- Birth to Five Center can go in the 9th-grade campus that expands the current EHS at the tennis courts- We no longer need a new high school.
A 20-year plan that includes Black Diamond and one that does not
We should be looking at lower cost per square footage options for construction
Investing in building designs so the community can see what they would be voting on
Work with a local GC that has an interest in our community- cost savings by doing multiple structures at once- OSPI has strict rules on getting a GC approved for GCCM
The committee has also formed a sub-committee to research school district boundary adjustments. Cathy Dahlquist is leading the work to gather information and answer questions that can then be presented to the committee as a whole. Jessi Paulson, Sarah Tolbert, Andre Koch, and Corey Cassell also volunteered to participate in the sub-committee.
The FOCUS committee will meet again on April 30, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The public is encouraged to attend and observe the FOCUS meetings. For more information about the committee, access to full meeting summaries, or to attend meetings virtually, visit our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/citizens-advisory-committee
