When I joined the Puyallup School District in 2000, we served 19,300 students in 30 schools. Now, eight years later, we teach more than 21,500 students in 32 schools.
The Puyallup School District — the ninth largest in the state — continues to welcome new students in its schools. We’ve recently learned that despite slowing new home sales, district enrollment is still expected to grow by about 100 to 200 students per year through at least 2020.
Take Carson Elementary School, for example. It was designed for 750 students, and we opened the new school last September. With an enrollment of nearly 800 students, Carson is now the largest of the district’s 22 elementary schools, and it has exceeded its capacity. As a result, we’ve prepared two portable classrooms for use next September.
This kind of growth challenges our district and our community. However, we’re committed to making sure that we provide all our students with a high-quality education in a community that prides itself on having one of the best school districts in the state.
To provide for the learning needs of a growing student population while maintaining our standards of excellence, we are considering a possible bond measure for 2009.
You probably recall that the district proposed a bond to voters last May, and it was narrowly defeated. At 59.15 percent approval, the vote was just shy of the 60 percent supermajority required for bond proposals.
Major features of this bond included the addition of an elementary school on the southwest end of the district and the expansion, replacement, or renovation of several other schools. The bond would have also paid for updated technology as well as upgraded infrastructure such as roof repairs and field enhancements.
In June, the Puyallup School Board is expected to decide whether to place a new bond proposal on the February 2009 ballot. To help in this decision-making process, we need the community’s input. We have scheduled a series of bond forums, and I’d like to personally invite you to come and participate in one or more of them. We really want to hear your feedback about a possible bond.
Several forums have already been held. The remaining forums are as follows:
A May 1: 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Education Service Center, 302 Second St. S.E. in Puyallup
A May 1: 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Edgemont Junior High, 2300 110th Ave. E. in Edgewood
A May 5: 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Ballou Junior High, 9916 136th St. E. in South Hill
A May 6: 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Edgemont Junior High, 2300 110th Ave. E. in Edgewood
Please take an active role in the bond planning process. Let’s work together to create the learning environment our children need to prepare them to become tomorrow’s workers and leaders.
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