1/29/09

Marysville schools explore options, needs for 2010 bond

by Beckye Randall

The Marysville School District faces some tough challenges and even tougher decisions in preparation for the 2010 bond cycle, and community members are concerned about some of the options that are on the table.

The district established a Citizens Planning Committee in early 2008 to begin studying the data and projections likely to impact schools over the next decade. The committee is comprised of at least two parents from each school in the district along with community members who have been actively involved with Marysville schools over the years. The advisory group is charged with delivering bond recommendations to the Marysville School Board by June 30, 2009.

Of particular concern to citizens attending recent public meetings are talks of temporarily closing Liberty Elementary, combining Quil Ceda and Tulalip elementary schools and closing the M-P pool.

The choices being considered are driven by several factors, including lower than expected enrollment figures, ongoing operational and maintenance costs, federal funding opportunities and the age of existing structures.

"All the options being considered create large chain reactions," said John Bingham, capital projects director for the district. "One decision affects many others, so it's important to fully understand all the impacts."

For instance, the nearly-completed Getchell High School was designed to accommodate four small learning communities (SLCs) of 400 students each, for a total of 1,600 students on its campus. Because of low enrollment in one of the SLCs, two of the learning pathways were combined and now it's possible only three SLCs will be moved to the new high school, leaving the larger Pathways of Choice at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

With 35,000 square feet of buildings at M-PHS and a projected population of 1,200 students once Getchell is opened, the school is considered to have "excess" capacity based on the state's funding formula. Large facilities like the auditorium, fieldhouse and pool are included in the classroom space computation. Likewise, if Getchell only houses three SLCs, the campus will be considered underutilized.

"State funding criteria are complex, but basically they look at the number of students served divided by square feet available in covered space. Even covered playground areas may be considered potential classroom space, and we always walk a fine line to stay within state boundaries while providing effective learning spaces," said Bingham.

The district has stayed within those boundaries creatively by building schools on the Secondary Options Campus, and classrooms at Grove Elementary, that are modular. Considered "portables" by the state, those learning spaces are not added into the district's available square footage.

Declining construction activity within the district's boundaries means fewer dollars in developer mitigation fees coming into the coffers. And while many new families have moved into Marysville neighborhoods, school enrollment has not yet grown, possibly because children are still pre-school age.

The CPC is considering the impacts of closing schools or community facilities, combining educational programs in new locations, and reconfiguring middle school sizes and populations. The panel is also analyzing costs and benefits of remodeling or rebuilding existing outdated facilities.

The 2006 $118 million bond measure, which passed by only eight votes, provided funding for the construction of Getchell High School and Grove Elementary, plus monies for land acquisition, technology upgrades and assorted "small projects." District officials estimate that, due to construction cost savings and other efficiencies, up to $16 million in 2006 bond money may be carried forward for future projects.

District leaders remain committed to their promise of capping bond costs for property owners at $4.70 per $1,000 of assessed value. With the retirement of an existing bond measure in 2010, voters will be able to approve a new bond issue with no increase in tax rates.

In addition, planning is underway to allow the district to take advantage of any economic stimulus dollars that may be available, whether from the federal or state government.

"They (legislators) will be looking for projects that are shovel-ready," Bingham explained, "and we intend to have several proposals that will fit that category."

The CPC meets every two weeks, with the next one planned for February 12, and meetings are open to the public. A second town hall-type meeting is also planned for February 3. Both meetings will be held at the district's service center, 4220-80th St. NE, in the Board room beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A comprehensive 40-page report entitled "Facilities Overview-January 2009," which outlines all the options under consideration, is available on the Marysville School District Web site at www.msvl.k12.wa.us.