By Krestin Bahr We have had many questions and input on some of the bond subjects. I hope to clarify some of these issues with the people of the community. The first issue is the synthetic turf. I hope I am able to shed some light on the reason we have selected a synthetic field solution for some of the proposed athletic facilities. Below I have inserted a comprehensive explanation of the advantages of synthetic turf over natural turf that was put together by our landscape architect, Bob Harding from DA Hogan, who has many years of experience in this industry. I'd like to also add that we would reduce our water consumption drastically, allowing the Town of Eatonville to use its water resources for growth/development or be allowed to follow the natural flow of the environment: "With respect to the choice of the fields, the district desire and intent for synthetic turf surfaces has been reviewed by both the bond oversight/planning committee, the board and at two public meetings in August and September of 2015. WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) requires playoff games be conducted on synthetic turf - so the clear desire for the district is to be able to host a playoff game in either soccer or football, something that cannot occur now. "With respect to safety of the synthetic turf surfaces, there is not a documented increase of injuries on synthetic surfaces vs. natural turf. However, because typically a synthetic turf field is used more often, the total injuries may increase - but only because a field is in more use, by more people. In the case of the proposed improvements, there will be a supplemental pad/shock pad below the field to assist in impact attenuation. The field is anticipated to be considered for replacement after about 10 years - and certainly the supplemental pad is anticipated to extend the anticipated life of the turf. Currently, the field is limited in its use - mostly for varsity soccer and football games. There is limited opportunity for PE and public use of the field. This will expand significantly to be available for use every day, and evening as needed, without impact to the quality of play. I anticipate the maintenance costs will be significantly reduced with the synthetic turf surface, freeing district staff to maintain other facilities." Bob Harding, DA Hogan. We have been working hard to be explicit about our needs, and quite honestly did not think we were facing such issues around safety and our facilities until late fall, when we had a collapse of the flooring where our filming crew was during the homecoming game. I mistakenly thought we had a few years to address any facility issues. We have good reason to think that a stadium that was built approximately 80 years ago will not last another 20 years, perhaps not even a decade. The issue that we have now is that the area for filming and announcing has been deemed unsafe by engineers for any occupancy, therefore, we either need to invest quite a bit of money to redo the roof and announcing area which is a concern due to the age of the structure, or look at a new, safe, handicapped accessible facility. In addition, the track is past due for refurbishing. The fields, although beautiful to look at when mowed, are not built for the increased use that we would like to have for the access of our community and school sports GÇô soccer, EYSA and football, to name a few. The fields also use treated water, which is a huge issue for the town and tribe. The vast majority of this bond is to address the access and equity issues that were not addressed in the last bond. The new buildings are beautiful and are the gem of Puget Sound. The same cannot be said for the field spaces in-town and Columbia Crest. The leagues we play in have good facilities which can host championships. We spend money to rent Orting and Bethel for our many sports requiring fields every year as out teams are very strong. Girls and boys sports should be able to host their championship meets/matches and games. We know that this is a time issue. If this stadium and lack of restrooms reaches a level where we need to tear down the stadium due to structural code and safety concerns, our schools will have no choices but to play in other towns. Our facility team was aligned with the desire to do this now, that it is time. The market is very strong at this time for bondable projects, thus hopefully saving taxpayers money in the long run. In addition, we know that these projects can not wait until 2036, as this is 20 years down the road. At that time, the decisions will be to look at the untouched schools which are parts of the middle school and CCASTEM. As we plan for the next 100 years in Eatonville, it was quite apparent that this issue needed to be a discussion with and for the community. The School Board and the facility meeting members took almost eight months to discuss the largest portion of the bond. We hope you see reflected the hard work from a small school district staff that reflects the needs of a small, rural school district.
Technology
Part of the bond is the need for Internet connectivity that is addressed by several of my staff in their responses. I need to stress the importance for Eatonville students to have the same educational opportunities that our neighbors from districts such as Bethel, Franklin Pierce and Tacoma have for their students. Right now there is such poor Internet connectivity that only one class can be online at a time. This is unheard of in the educational world, yet a large issue for rural, unconnected and unserved districts. The question of how to increase equity has been my focus since taking the position here in Eatonville. We have worked hard to have our students increase their access and opportunity. As part of this effort, Eatonville schools have been awarded the following grants/opportunities the last three years: " Transforming Professional Learning Grant 2014-16: Gates foundation/OSPI Learning Lab for ESD 113. " Code.org partners: State of Washington: PD and training. " GRUB Grant : Community Visioning 2016. " Native American Program, Department of Education 2014-16. " Elementary STEM Lighthouse Schools/State of Washington Grants: Weyerhaeuser Elementary and Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy. " ARTS IMPACT School Award for Eatonville Elementary, 2015. Added an arts instructor for arts integration. " GREEN School nomination to the Department of Education: State of Washington 2016 waiting for status in April 2016. " Robotics Grants to start after-school teams. " Comcast and Boeing grants to introduce technology. " Middle School Equine Therapy Program for students at risk, 2014-2016 Pierce County. " AVID program in the midsle school and high school: College and Career Going Culture. " Fuel It up to Play Award: Grant for Healthy schools: Food Service and Physical Education. " College Bound Scholars: 100 percent signup for the State of Washington: Washington Achievement Council (2014 and 2015). " Robotics grants with new robotics teams competing, 2016. " High school, Department of Education Math Science Partnership Grants: SER2: Grant for Math/Science PD for three years with Rochester, Steilacoom and Eatonville (one of 10 in state). " Washington State Achievers Award: Highest Growth over time 2015, OSPI Advanced Placement Honor Roll 2016: One in nine in Washington, 416 in nation: Highest AP scores and increase in enrollment. " Robotics grant: Team established in 2014, won top 10 in state in 2016. As this is just a few of the grants and opportunities, I want to emphasize that this has been the work of committed staff who have seen that there is a need to allow students to have access to high quality educational opportunities. We have tried to bring in resources for children to open their minds, increase their creativity and to have access to high quality, best practices, and rigorous programs. Our focus on academics is rigorous and innovative. We are a strongly academic school district that consistently graduates over 90% of our students. The state average is 76% and for every student not graduating, we have a story and a plan for their success.
Facilities
The next area that I feel strongly must be addressed is the 21st-century facilities. Eatonville School District buildings are beautiful, timeless and educationally stimulating environments. The previous superintendent, Ray Arment, and the citizens on the School Board at that time did a wonderful job planning, building and staying under budget impacting four of our five schools. The classroom and common areas are functional, classic and high-quality. Over the last three years, we have used the remaining, previous bond funds for projects ranging from additional fields, a major pool renovation, physical educational classroom space in the high school and a transportation facility, as well as small capital projects in each building. The intent of this proposition is to include the safety needs, technology issues which include equity to and for students in Eatonville schools, and to increase the ability for our students to have STEM opportunities. The largest portion of this bond is to address the very real issue of an aging athletic stadium and complex that does not meet the needs of this century of learners. The School Board has voted to move forward with this proposition, as they know this is an issue that we must address. Whether we do this now or in the next decade, it is ever increasingly apparent that the needs of this generation of learners and athletes are not being met by the current status of facilities, technology, safety and STEM opportunities. It is my obligation to this community and its youth that I bring this proposal forward. I am willing to communicate, meet in small groups, address all issues and do whatever it takes to make sure that this proposition is well understood by the community. I appreciate your interest and your questions. We are a small district office and we are committed to the community, so please know that if you wish to meet with us, we are happy to do this. Our website will continue to address any questions that evolve as we move toward Aril 26.
Krestin Bahr is superintendent of Eatonville School District.
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