Each day, more than 12,400 students traverse the hallways, classrooms and common areas of CPSD schools and learning centers. The district maintains nearly 2 million square feet of building
space on just over 350 acres of land. Forty percent of CPSD schools are more than half a century old. Six schools are between 60-69 years old; Custer Elementary School was constructed 73 years ago; and Tillicum Elementary School celebrated its 80th anniversary last year. While schools are regularly maintained, nearly half of CPSD schools are approaching the end of their useful life. This means building systems such as
plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and heating and cooling systems are beginning to fail. Recently, the pipes under the cafeteria/gym at Idlewild Elementary School failed, requiring an emergency fix.
Facilities Condition Assessment
Every five to six years, the district conducts a facilities condition assessment that documents the conditions of the infrastructure and building systems of CPSD’s schools and support sites. A
facility condition index score is then determined, which helps to identify which facilities need significant repairs, modifications or replacement.
Educational Adequacy Assessment
The district is also conducting an educational adequacy assessment to identify programming needs that have been established in the educational and technical specifications for its newer schools. The last study was completed
in 2015.
Many schools across the district need to be brought up to today’s standards for learning. Aging buildings that were built more than 50 years ago don’t have the infrastructure to support programming or technology for modern-day teaching and learning.
Community Input
The district convened a Facility Advisory Committee to review data, gather stakeholder input and provide recommendations for school board consideration. Committee recommendations from 2019 and 2023 included:
- Complete a modernization and addition to Clover Park High School.
- Complete a comprehensive study on consolidation or replacement of seven elementary schools: Custer, Dower, Idlewild, Lake Louise, Tillicum and Tyee Park.
- Complete a comprehensive study for solutions for Lochburn Middle School (replacement, modernization or alternative location).
Following the completion of assessments, CPSD will engage the community in developing a long-term plan to address its aging buildings and infrastructure.
The last bond measure approved by the community was 15 years ago, which directly funded the construction of Four Heroes Elementary School and Harrison Preparatory School. CPSD utilized Department of Defense grants and state construction assistance to renovate Beachwood, Carter Lake, Evergreen,
Hillside, Meriwether and Rainier elementary schools. The construction of Thomas Middle School was made possible through district savings from other capital projects and some property sales.