High schools would see new athletic facilities if bond passes

[Editor's note: This is the third and final installment of our Monroe School District Proposition No. 1 bond series. The ballots, which were mailed on Thursday, April 9, are due to be returned by Tuesday, April 28.]-á

Meant to enhance school safety, modernize the educational environment and increase capacity, the Monroe School District's 2015 bond measure would help accomplish numerous capital facilities projects district-wide, with no estimated bond tax-rate increase. Large-scale construction projects would occur at Park Place Middle School, Hidden River Middle School, Salem Woods Elementary and Frank Wagner Elementary, with smaller projects slated to take place across the district.

Currently, property owners pay $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value, an amount that is not expected to increase should the new bond measure pass. This is possible because, in 2016, the district's existing bond debt, which was used to accomplish renovations at Maltby Elementary and build projects like Monroe High School, Hidden River Middle School and Fryelands Elementary School, will be paid off.-á

If approved, a renewal of the existing rate could generate $110.9 million, also enabling the district to qualify for approximately $21.3 million in state construction assistance. An additional $640,000 in developer-paid mitigation fees are anticipated, which are collected by the City of Monroe when new homes are built.-á

It has been more than a decade since the district has successfully passed a bond measure. School bond measures require a 60-percent majority to pass.-á

The proposed projects were identified by a volunteer team of community members who spent 13 months scrutinizing each school and school support facility. This process was followed by intense discussions across the community to ensure that the highest-priority concerns were being addressed. Crafting a list of projects that could be accomplished without raising the current tax rate was identified as a key aspect of the proposal.

This week, the Monroe Monitor is focusing on the major maintenance and small capital improvements that would take place at Monroe High School, Chain Lake Elementary, Fryelands Elementary, Leaders in Learning in Wagner Center, Maltby Elementary and the Sky Valley Education Center.-á

At the time of the committee's study, the list of small capital and major maintenance needs across the district was estimated at more than $18 million.-á

Much of that was at the schools where major projects are now proposed, but needs were identified at every school and support facility. Many of Monroe's schools have been around for decades, and even with regular maintenance, roofs, heating systems and plumbing systems need updates.-á

"Some schools have more needs that others. A lot of that has to do with the age of the facility,GÇ¥ said Superintendent Ken Hoover.

Monroe High School

Improvements at Monroe High School (17001 Tester Road) would amount to nearly $3.7 million of the bond funding. The majority of those funds would be used to construct new athletic fields, including an all-weather, artificial turf, fast-pitch softball field and an all-weather, artificial turf baseball field, with sub-surface drainage improvements and new lighting. The design has already been completed, and the project will proceed based on a phased approach.-á

Construction on phase one would begin this summer, since funding from a Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area grant, timber sales and a $100,000 grant from the City of Monroe have already been secured for the first artificial turf, fast-pitch softball field.-á

The project was conceptualized so that it could be phased based on the availability of finances. The scope of work to begin this summer is contingent on the results of the election. Should the bond pass, a total of three fields will be slated for construction. -á

The new fields would facilitate a broader physical education program, enhance athletic opportunities and boost safety for students. Currently, students must travel off-campus to participate in certain sports.-á

The new fields would also provide tournament space that could be utilized by the city and other agencies from across the county, resulting in economic benefit to the city.-á

It is this benefit that prompted approval of the county and city grants.-á

Other improvements would include upgraded lighting in the Performing Arts Center, repairs to the track and improved stadium access for athletes and band members.-á

"On Friday nights, when the band and teams are entering the stadium at the same location and time as the fans, it can be dicey. It is a definite safety concern,GÇ¥ said Monroe School District Communications Director Rosemary O'Neil.

Sky Valley Education Center-á

The Sky Valley Education Center (351 Short Columbia St.), would be slated for a million dollars in improvements if the bond measure were to pass. Upgrades to the electrical and plumbing systems would be made, heat pump compressors would be replaced, selected areas of flooring would be replaced and the fire-alarm system would be upgraded and expanded. As one of the older facilities in the school system, parts of Sky Valley Education Center are several decades old.-á

The school's music room would be upgraded to accommodate ADA accessibility, and an allocation would create additional off-street parking.-á

Chain Lake-áElementary School

Improvements at Chain Lake Elementary School (12125 Chain Lake Road) located just outside Monroe city limits, would include a new roof, improved gym drainage and new sump pumps.-á

Chalkboards would be replaced with dry-erase boards, and the parking area would be restructured to facilitate improved mobility.-á

Currently, families and visitors have one gate to enter and leave the campus, creating a bottleneck and a safety concern during key times of the day. This proposal would add another gate to serve as the entrance, dividing that traffic and improving sightlines along Chain Lake Road.-á

"So, instead of parents coming in and going out at the same point, they'll come in one, drive around, drop their kids and go out another,GÇ¥ Hoover said. "That new road will be wide enough that we can have parking beside the road as well.GÇ¥

The additional parking will increase safety during evening events, when many families typically park on Chain Lake Road.-á

Chain Lake Elementary School was built in the early 1990s.-á

A total of $725,000 of the bond funding would be dedicated to improvements at Chain Lake.-á

Other improvements

Being the district's newest elementary school, projects at Fryelands Elementary (15286 Fryelands Blvd.) would take up just $130,000 of the bond funding. Measures to aid in hallway noise reduction would be implemented, and the main entry window wall would be repaired.

Additionally, sports-court lines would be permanently inlayed on the gym floor, saving roughly 80 hours of custodial staff time per year. This gym-floor inlay would also be accomplished at Maltby Elementary School (9700 212th St. S.E.) in Snohomish, which would cost $60,000. Resurfacing the playground asphalt is also on the list. Maltby Elementary was modernized in 2006.

At Leaders in Learning, in the Wagner Center (639 W. Main St.), gutters and downspouts would be replaced, as would the heat-pump compressors. Ninety thousand dollars in improvements would take place at Leaders in Learning, which serves as one of the district's alternative high schools.

Smaller portions of bond money would be dedicated to upgrades and maintenance across the district, including electrical upgrades, heating and ventilation improvements and enhancements to safety and security systems.

"Our students really need to have facilities that reflect the kind of education they are getting here,GÇ¥ O'Neil said. "We have wonderful teachers, doing wonderful, wonderful things and kids being very successful. But our facilities are working against us.GÇ¥

For more information about Proposition No. 1, visit www.monroe.wednet.edu/PAGES/ELECTION_INFO_PAGES/election-info2015.html.-á