South Kitsap district will ask voters to approve $124.99 million school bond issue

A $124.99 million school bond issue to build a second high school in the South Kitsap School District will go before voters Feb. 9.

By Bob Smith • October 22, 2015 11:14 am
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A $124.99 million school bond issue to build a second high school in the South Kitsap School District will go before voters Feb. 9.

The district’s board of directors unanimously approved the capital-facilities bond measure at its board meeting at Burley-Glenwood Elementary.

Michelle Reid, district superintendent, said current projections show a need for a building to house 1,500 students in grades 9-12. She said in the near future, the student count at South Kitsap’s new high school could reach 1,800 students.

Reid said enrollment projections for the high school are “based on what we know, not what we think.” She said the board and district officials settled on a “no-frills” building based on a conservative needs assessment made by the board.

Construction costs of $96 million include the building, the 42-acre site’s development and a cost escalation clause since construction wouldn’t begin until sometime in 2018. The school is projected to be open for the start of school in the fall of 2020, said Chris Lemke, board president.

Indirect costs totaling $34.747 million would include design costs, permitting and project management, as well as other miscellaneous expenses associated with construction. The district is anticipating $6.359 million in additional funding for the district project.

The 250,000-square-foot facility is to have four athletic fields on a 42-acre site. A pool at the school is not planned.

Lemke said the last capital-facilities measure was passed by voters about 30 years ago. “We haven’t had success in passing bond measures since then,” he said. “That’s why we’ve been very conservative” with the district’s request to voters.

Board members estimated owners of a $250,000 house would pay $24.38 a month in additional property-tax assessments.

Also part of the capital-facilities bond measure is $2 million that would be allocated for technology upgrades at South Kitsap High School.

School board members emphasized that the planning process for the new high school hasn’t been an overnight process. Greg Wall, board vice president, said thousands of hours have been spent to ensure they’ll bring a cost-effective measure to voters.

rsmith@portorchardindependent.com

A $124.99 million school bond issue to build a second high school in the South Kitsap School District will go before voters Feb. 9.

The district’s board of directors unanimously approved the capital-facilities bond measure at its board meeting at Burley-Glenwood Elementary.

Michelle Reid, district superintendent, said current projections show a need for a building to house 1,500 students in grades 9-12. She said in the near future, the student count at South Kitsap’s new high school could reach 1,800 students.

Reid said enrollment projections for the high school are “based on what we know, not what we think.” She said the board and district officials settled on a “no-frills” building based on a conservative needs assessment made by the board.

Construction costs of $96 million include the building, the 42-acre site’s development and a cost escalation clause since construction wouldn’t begin until sometime in 2018. The school is projected to be open for the start of school in the fall of 2020, said Chris Lemke, board president.

Indirect costs totaling $34.747 million would include design costs, permitting and project management, as well as other miscellaneous expenses associated with construction. The district is anticipating $6.359 million in additional funding for the district project.

The 250,000-square-foot facility is to have four athletic fields on a 42-acre site. A pool at the school is not planned.

Lemke said the last capital-facilities measure was passed by voters about 30 years ago. “We haven’t had success in passing bond measures since then,” he said. “That’s why we’ve been very conservative” with the district’s request to voters.

Board members estimated owners of a $250,000 house would pay $24.38 a month in additional property-tax assessments.

Also part of the capital-facilities bond measure is $2 million that would be allocated for technology upgrades at South Kitsap High School.

School board members emphasized that the planning process for the new high school hasn’t been an overnight process. Greg Wall, board vice president, said thousands of hours have been spent to ensure they’ll bring a cost-effective measure to voters.
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