The need for additional capacity . . .

For a number of years we have been focused on enrollment growth and the need, at some point in time, to increase capacity through additions to existing schools or building of new ones. In addition to this, there is a need for renovations to existing schools. For over a year, the Board has been exploring options recommended by a team of staff and community members and has made a decision on the major components of a bond measure for next spring. They include:

*Replacing Lake Wilderness
*Building a new elementary school
*Renovating and adding to Tahoma High School, Tahoma Junior High School and Cedar River Middle School

Here is a short article that appeared in a recent Voice of the Valley talking about this need and the need to once again adjust elementary attendance areas. If current demographic projections prove to be accurate, this may be the last time that adjustments will be a successful strategy as all elementary buildings would be at or nearing capacity.

The Educational Specifications process will begin in two weeks when a team from the high school and junior high begin meeting with our architects to create a vision of how the renovated and additional spaces will meet the learning needs of current and future students and teachers. The focus of this work will be around our Classroom 10 initiative and the need to think creatively as we identify spaces that accommodate multiple uses and that will last for at least thirty years and the next opportunity for state match.

The process will continue this fall when teams will be formed to look at replacing Lake Wilderness Elementary and renovating and adding to Cedar River. The Lake Wilderness design will be a prototype that will also be used for the new elementary building. Together, these projects are projected to be in the $100 million range, making it the largest bond measure ever offered in the Tahoma School District.