Last updated March 29, 2013
Our Facilities Planning Task Force began our work with consultants’ evaluation of the condition of the district’s buildings, and we toured the facilities. We focused on the facilities that have not been newly built or renovated in recent years. While some of our facilities are in great shape, many need critical attention. We shared ideas with the community on Nov. 30, 2012, and hosted public meetings. We also collected and carefully considered community input received through online and telephone surveys. As a result of this additional input, we made some modifications to the original ideas we shared on Nov. 30, which are now part of our recommendation to the superintendent.
Please click here to read a brochure that summarizes our recommendation and next steps.
For the full recommendation, please click here.
We are excited by the many possibilities in this recommendation for improved learning environments for our students, staff and community for future generations!
Facilities Planning Task Force Outcomes/Goals:
- Learn about schools and facilities related to current and future educational program needs; the physical condition of existing schools/facilities; how facilities are funded; and the process associated with voter-approved bond ballot measures.
- Recommend a long-range Facilities Master Plan to the superintendent that may include: Possible renovation of existing schools/facilities; building new schools/facilities; repurposing existing schools/facilities; and/or purchasing property.
- Recommend to the superintendent specific project for a bond issue to put before voters as early as spring 2013.
Community members Jim and Linden Darling are co-chairs of this Task Force, which includes broad membership of students, parents, staff and community members throughout the city. The Task Force has been meeting since late September and plans to make a recommendation to the superintendent.
To foster transparency and open communication, the Task Force’s meeting minutes, as well as presentations and data that they have reviewed, are posted below. Please contact Communications and Community Relations at 676-6520 with any questions.
Meetings:
September 27, 2012
Presentation:
School Finance Overview by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
Data and Supporting Documents:
Bellingham Public Schools Assessed Value Summary
Bond and Levy Definitions and Procedures
Facilities Planning Task Force Work Priorities
October 12, 2012
Presentation:
Data and Supporting Documents:
2012 Whatcom County Schools Tax Rates
2012 Capital Facilities Planning Task Force Focus Facilities (Note: Facilities marked “yes” are ones that the Task Force is focusing on; facilities marked “no” are not being addressed by the Task Force for potential renovation/rebuilding/repurposing because they are new or are currently in the process of being built.)
October 16, 2012
Presentations:
Athletic Fields Presentation by Task Force Member Patrick Brown
Data and Supporting Documents:
1997 Elementary Schools Long-Range Master Plan by Kask Consulting
2007 Facilities and Enrollment Study by Zervas Group
2007 High School Physical Condition Score Assessment
Fall 2012 Sehome High School Functional Adequacy Detailed Score Assessment
Fall 2012 District Office Functional Adequacy Detailed Score Assessment
Fall 2012 Existing Portables Districtwide
Sports Field Management Turf Trends Article
October 23, 2012
Presentations:
District Office Presentation by Task Force Members Steve Clarke and Marilyn Grams
Options High School Presentation by Task Force Members Tom Venable and Leslie Adamson
October 30, 2012
Presentations:
Vacant Properties Presentation by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
Middle and High School Capacity Presentation by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
Elementary Capacity with Additional Pre-K Presentation by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
Repurposing Presentation by Task Force Members Rob McElroy and Missy Ferguson
November 2, 2012
Data and Supporting Documents:
Ideas Generated by School Principals for Possible Bond Projects
Miscellaneous Proposed Projects By Buildings and Grounds Director Mike Anderson
November 9, 2012
Presentation:
Project Ideas Initial Cost Estimates Presentation by Educational Service District 112
November 14, 2012
Presentation:
Bond Financing Options and Tax Rate Comparisons by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
November 28, 2012
January 11, 2013
Presentation:
Tax Rate Comparisons Presentation by Assistant Superintendent Ron Cowan
January 16, 2013
Data and Supporting Documents:
Southside Elementary School Walk-Ability Map
Student Transportation Data for Southside Elementary Schools
January 29, 2013
Task Force Members:
- Regular:
- Jim and Linden Darling, community member co-chairs with facilitation and data gathering support from facilities consultants and staff
- James Pai, high school student
- Zoe Roberts, high school student
- Rachel Williams, Parent Advisory Committee co-chair, parent of elementary/middle school students
- Pam Behee, parent of middle/high school students
- Teri McIntyre, parent of high school students
- Mark Peterson, parent of elementary/middle school students
- Laura Johanson, parent of elementary school students
- Vicky Reardon, parent of elementary school students
- Tim Hall, community member
- Mary LeDonne, community member
- Rick Qualls, community member
- Leslie Adamson, high school teacher
- Paul Clement, high school teacher
- Alex Brede, elementary school teacher
- Hale Hanaway, elementary school teacher
- Patrick Brown, high school activities/athletics coordinator
- Lisa McKay, elementary school secretary
- Evan Schmitt, District carpenter
- Marilyn Grams, District Office secretary
- Missy Ferguson, Lowell Elementary School principal
- Jay Jordan, Shuksan Middle School principal
- Phyllis Textor, Sehome High School principal
- Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Ron Cowan
- Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Tom Venable
- Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Steve Clarke
- Executive Administrator on Special Assignment, Rob McElroy
- Buildings and Grounds Director, Mike Anderson
- Ex-officio:
- Superintendent, Greg Baker
- Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations, Tanya Rowe
- Labor Association Leaders: Kris Craker and Peggy Shepherd, BASE; Alex Brede, BEA; Bill Stuckrath, BAO; Matt Read, SEIU; Dave Vanderyacht, Teamsters