School Board votes to improve Wa-Hi - Bond election: February 12, 2013

School Board votes to improve Wa-Hi - Bond election: February 12, 2013

Improved teaching and learning spaces top priority
Walla Walla Public Schools will seek a $48 million bond on the February 12, 2013 Special Election to fund a $69.6 million modernization of Walla Walla High School. All of the existing 1963 buildings will be re-purposed in the design to reduce costs. The project is eligible for $21.6 million in State Matching dollars which will be used on the Wa-Hi project. Cost is 68 cents per $1,000 assessed value. The recently approved College Place bond was $2.67 per $1,000.

The project will fund improvements in the Science/Math building, Academic building, Commons/Library, CTE building and Music/Drama spaces. A new Fitness Center will replace the existing weight room, 10 tennis courts and a new all weather track will be added to support PE and athletic programs. See the district Fact Sheet for more details.

Keeping costs down through modernization
• All existing 1963 buildings to remain; less expensive project
• Original roof systems, slabs and beams will be used
• Look and feel of the open campus stays the same
• Modernization to slash energy usage

What will the proposed bond fund?
• Improved teaching and learning spaces
• Modern and larger 21st Century classrooms
• Removal of all portables (original buildings modernized)
• New and improved science labs and classrooms
• Improved technology infrastructure and new computers
• Site improvements: increased parking, less traffic dangers
• New music and drama spaces
• All weather track for PE, track program and community use
• Additional restrooms for students and staff
• Larger lunchroom and improved student Commons area
• Energy efficiency and HVAC upgrades

Bond Cost and Timeline
• Local Bond Amount: $48 million

• State Matching funds: $21.6 million
(Matching dollars to fund Wa-Hi project)

• Total Project Cost: $69.6 million

• 68 cents per $1,000 assessed value
(College Place Bond = $2.67 per $1,000)

NOTE:
* Any excess bond funds will be used for facility improvements at Lincoln High School.
* Sharpstein Bond paid in full - Dec. 2012
* Edison Bond paid in full - Dec. 2018

Proposed Project Timeline (if approved)
- Winter 2013: Detailed architectural design
- Spring 2014: Contractor bids
- Summer 2014: Project begins
- Winter 2016: Project completed

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why don’t you phase in the project over time?
A. A multiple phased project would disrupt the learning environment for up to a decade as opposed to a 26 to 30 month disruption with a single project. Economically, it makes sense to do the project all at once. Rising inflation, election fees and multiple construction mobilizations will cost the taxpayers millions if the project is completed in phases. Current interest rates remain at an all time low as well.

Q. Why do you need to modernize Wa-Hi since College Place passed a bond for its own high school?
A. The reduction of 350 College Place students does not mitigate the need to modernize the 50-year-old school, but does present the opportunity to scale the project back by approximately 10 classrooms.

Q. How will you house students so they can attend school during the construction?
A. We will use temporary portable buildings during construction. As classrooms become available, teachers and students will move into the new spaces and others will rotate to the portables.

Q. How many students will Wa-Hi be able to house once it’s modernized?
A. The school will be built for 1821 students. This allows for all the portable classrooms to be removed, each teacher to have their own classroom, lab space and future growth.

Q. With the economy in a recession, why are you asking for a new bond tax?
A. Long term borrowing costs at historic lows and a competitive construction market will provide savings for our taxpayers. The need is now. The longer we wait, the more it will cost.

Q. How does the new High School Skill Center at WWCC impact this project?
A. Walla Walla High School will continue to offer exploratory vocational Career and Technical Education courses on campus. The new high school Skill Center, to be located at Walla Walla Community College, will offer more in-depth study and training for construction, welding, health occupations and renewable resources. The existing CTE building at Wa-Hi will be refurbished, but not fully remodeled, saving millions of taxpayer dollars.

Q. Why didn’t the district include a swimming pool in the Walla Walla High School proposal?
A. The primary reason is cost. Architects BLRB/USKH preliminary estimate for a pool at Walla Walla High School is more than $9 million. Insurance issues and ongoing maintenance costs are also legitimate concerns for the school district in today’s world. The district acknowledges the community’s need for a pool, but the cost is prohibitive.

Q. Why don’t you include Lincoln High School on the Wa-Hi campus?
A. Lincoln High School has its own identity and programs. Staff, students and parents strongly believe it should not be located at Wa-Hi. Lincoln High School has become a school of choice and will continue to be a viable option for high school in Walla Walla.

Q. What is your plan for addressing Lincoln High School’s facility needs?
A. Lincoln High School is the next priority on the district’s Facilities Improvement Plan. By summer of 2013, the district will determine the best location for Lincoln High School. If that is on the current site, the district will determine if the existing 1927 building should be modernized or a new school built at the current location.

Improvement Details (by building)

Science & Math Building
• Existing 1963 building modernized
• More square footage for learning
• New science labs in classrooms
• Larger classrooms w/ AC
• Natural light in all classrooms
• Elevator for improved attic storage
• All math classrooms in one area
• More restrooms (students & staff)

Academic Building
• Existing 1963 building modernized
• Additional & larger classrooms
• Administration offices relocated
• Air conditioning
• Improved technology
• Student courtyard learning spaces
• Interior hallways, no breezeways
• Indoor connecting hallway to library
• More restrooms (students & staff)

Commons & Library
• 1963 Commons modernized
• 1991 Library new main entrance
• New administration spaces
• New library space and technology
• Student leadership classrooms
• Additional commons space w/AC
• New cafeteria/kitchen addition
• New student entry area (south)
• More restrooms (students & staff)

Music & Drama
• Existing 1963 building modernized
• Music building converted to drama
• New addition for music classrooms
• Additional storage
• Music practice rooms
• Drama dressing rooms, storage
• Drama black box theater
• More restrooms (students & staff)

Fitness Center/PE spaces
• New fitness center addition
• Aerobic and strength fitness
• Detached weight room removed
• All weather track for PE & track
• Track available to community
• No major upgrades to 1963 gym
• No major upgrades to 1991 gym
• More restrooms (students & staff)

CTE Building
• Mechanical system upgrades
• Code compliance upgrades
• Energy efficiency upgrades
• Classroom improvements
• More restrooms (students & staff)

Voter Registration Materials
To register to vote: Obtain forms at your neighborhood school, WW County Auditor’s Office (524-2530) or www.co.walla-walla.wa.us

Senior Citizen Tax Exemptions
Qualified homeowners may apply for a senior exemption. Please contact the Walla Walla County Assessor’s Office for details. 524-2560

School Tours
Contact Superintendent Mick Miller (526.6714 / mmiller@wwps.org) or Communications Director Mark Higgins (526.6716 / mhiggins@wwps.org) to take a tour of Walla Walla High School.