The Puyallup School District will ask voters in February for $279.6 million to help fund projects including building a new elementary school and adding space at the three traditional high schools.
The School Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday night sending the bond package to voters. The action caps months of work by district staff and community members, including several public forums.
Board President Greg Heath said he and his colleagues carefully considered the projects. There’s a need for more high school and elementary school space, and “we’re ready to do the right thing by students,” he said after the meeting.
If approved, the bond would cost the owner of a $200,000 home an estimated $14.42 a month, or $173.02 a year.
The proposed projects include:
• Adding to Puyallup’s three traditional high schools, which are at or near capacity. The Puyallup High School work would include adding two floors to the vocational building and developing more parking. The Rogers High work would involve adding classroom space, an auxiliary gym and a small addition to the performing arts center. The Emerald Ridge work would include constructing a two-story addition, relocating the library, expanding the commons and making traffic improvements.
• Building a new elementary school for 750 students in the growing South Hill area, on district land at 144th Street East near 80th Avenue East.
• Replacing Firgrove and Sunrise elementary schools.
• Remodeling and expanding Pope Elementary School.
• Making improvements at Northwood, Waller Road and Spinning elementary schools.
• Relocating the Ballou and Edgemont junior high tracks.
• Making districtwide technology improvements and special education renovations.
The district’s last successful bond package was in 2004, when district voters approved $198.5 million for projects, including replacing Aylen and Kalles junior highs and building the new Glacier View Junior High and Carson and Edgerton elementary schools.
The district went to voters in 2007 and 2009 for more capital improvements, but those bond proposals failed.
The Puyallup District has about 21,300 students. It’s the second-largest district in the county behind Tacoma Public Schools and the ninth-largest district in the state.
sara.schilling@ thenewstribune.com 253-552-7058 blog.thenewstribune.com/street @TNTschilling
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