Superintendent’s enrollment predictions leave some perplexed
January 25, 2012
By Sebastian Moraga
The transformation of the Snoqualmie Middle School building into a ninth-grade campus still does not sit well with some people, despite the prediction by Valley Schools Superintendent Joel Aune.
At the Jan. 12 school board meeting, Aune said the transformation of the building is not a question of if, but one of when.
“If we choose to move forward in the fall of 2013, we have a good deal of work to do in the next 18 months,” he said.
Board member Carolyn Simpson said the board should make the “if” a part of the equation again.
“The original plan never anticipated only two middle schools,” she said. “The original decision to create a freshman learning center anticipated a third middle school being built.”
Two bond measures meant to raise money for a third middle school failed in 2011.
Simpson said the district needs to make sure the enrollment numbers are “rock solid” before turning the SMS building into an annex of the high school.
“We need to hold a public hearing,” she said. “I don’t think we talked to the public. I don’t think we talked about the impact of taking over SMS for the high school without a replacement middle school. I believe we have some time.”
Aune said during the Jan. 12 meeting that if the ninth-grade annex suffers a delay, Mount Si High School would exceed capacity in 2013.
Simpson disagreed.
“We have until 2015,” she said. “We are not over capacity in 2013, we meet capacity in 2013.”
Disparity aside, Aune called for a work session next month to discuss the next steps of the conversion of SMS into an annex of the high school. Simpson applauded that.
“It’s really important, and I really hope we really delve into this for the next two months,” she said.
If and when the board delves into the topic, Aune suggested the group examine several areas beforehand, including:
The impact the decision will have on the children’s educational program.
- Where the projected enrollment and capacity figures stand.
- What the economic climate looks like.
- Whether this is the right time.
- How much the state can help.
- If the district requires one, how long of a delay to have.
“The decision we need to make in mid-March is,” Aune said, “do we move forward in 2013 or do we delay?”
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
