Education in construction

Frank Wagner and Salem Woods elementary students began their summer with some last-minute groundwork.

Ceremonies marking the start of renovations at both schools were held last week. Representatives from the Monroe School District, Snohomish County Council, city of Monroe and other agencies attended, as well as staff and students, who helped do some of the digging.

Over the next 15 months major demolition will occur following construction of new, bigger and modern facilities. The work being done at the two schools is part of six projects planned or already completed within the Monroe School District; all are being funded by the 2015 bond measure passed by 62.75 percent of voters in April 2015.

“I think everything about it increases learning, from good air flow to lighting to heating to indoor spaces to proximity,” said Salem Woods principal Janna Pope. “I think it will all add to learning.”

Pope’s school is receiving an overhaul. Aside from the building that includes the gym, kitchen and music space, every other structure will be replaced, said MSD spokesperson Tamara Krache. The new instructional facility will be two stories when complete, she said.

Pope said she is excited about opportunities for shared learning the new layout will provide. Classrooms in each grade level will be connected to a commons space for collaboration between classes. Cubbies for coats and backpacks will be set up in the communal area. Right now, students in any given grade level could be scattered across the school, far away from their peers, she said.

Pope said she is equally looking forward to the improved safety of the building, which will be almost completely enclosed, with fewer access points. Staff and students will not have to go outdoors to get anywhere aside from the gym, and “having a Northwest design with indoor hallways” will offer protection from the elements, she said.

Krache said Salem Woods will also get a new library, public gathering area and administration area. Pope added there will be an outdoor learning space near the salmon-bearing Richardson Creek running behind the school.

Washington-based Tiger Construction will complete the renovation work, which costs nearly $16.6 million, not including sales tax, Krache said.

Big changes are also in store for Frank Wagner.

The school’s 11 new classrooms also will be set up in a two-story building, Krache said. The structure will be built up between the old classrooms and the office. The Student Learning Center will be leveled and administration offices updated, she said.

“The hallway of the existing classroom building will be extended to run the entire length of the first floor, and the open mesh stairways will be enclosed with glass,” Krache said. “...It’s Washington, and we get lots of fun weather, so they are going to enclose that with glass.”

Frank Wagner will also have a new library, public gathering area and outdoor learning space by the time construction wraps up in August 2018, Krache said. Salem Woods is on the same schedule.

There should be few disruptions to learning at both sites throughout the upcoming school year, Krache said. Pope said new classrooms at her school will be right next door to the current building, which will be demolished once the updated structure is finished. The site where the old building stood will then become a parking lot and student drop-off area, she said.

Krache said administrators and counselors at Frank Wagner will be moved to temporary offices. Those will be either relocated or leveled once construction is complete. The total cost of work at the school is nearly $11.4 million, and will be completed by Washington-based Faber Construction.

Pope said the school will lose some parking space during construction. All parents have been informed there will not be room to pick up and drop off students, who will all be asked to ride the bus next year. She said staff will have to get creative in hosting annual events, and she hopes it doesn’t limit volunteer participation.

“It is a one-year challenge, but we get something great at the end,” Pope said.

Although the groundbreaking was held in June, work officially begins in July, Krache said.

The design process for each school included input from staff, students, parents and the community, according to the school district. The cost of the projects included in the 2015 bond proposal total $110.9 million, plus $640,000 in mitigation fees paid by home developers, and $21.3 million in state construction assistance, according to the school district.

The modernization of Park Place Middle School has already started, and three ballfields have been completed at Monroe High School.