Over the past year and a half, parents, students, staff members, volunteers, partners and the community have told VPS what needs to be replaced or renovated in their schools. In response, the district is developing plans to improve every school, contingent on approval of a bond measure. While the list of improvements has not been finalized, the upgrades could include at least one of the following at every school:
- Complete rebuild or new construction
- Expansion to allow for increased student enrollment and greater community use
- Roof replacement
- Upgraded cafeteria, gym or commons
- Heating and cooling system upgrades
- Flooring replacement
- Safety and security upgrades
- Parking lot resurfacing
- Playground and athletic field improvements
- Modernization to support technology needs
The above map shows potential projects across the entire district, with a significant south end concentration of schools that need to be replaced.
Proposed funding: Bond measure
If approved by the district’s board of directors and local voters, a property tax measure in the form of a capital bond could provide funding to rebuild or upgrade every school in VPS. The bond measure likely would appear on the February 2017 special election ballot and would require a supermajority of 60 percent voter approval to pass. Estimated rates will be available in November 2016, pending the VPS board of directors’ approval of the bond amount. The community last approved a bond measure for VPS in 2001. That bond helped replace or build Eisenhower, Franklin, Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Sarah J. Anderson and Washington elementary schools and Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Districtwide improvements, updates and rebuilds
Improvements and updates
| Anderson ES | Chinook ES | Eisenhower ES | Felida ES |
| Fruit Valley ES | Harney ES | Hazel Dell ES | Hough ES |
| Lake Shore ES | Lincoln ES | Minnehaha ES | Roosevelt ES |
| Salmon Creek ES | Washington ES | Alki MS | Discovery MS |
| Gaiser MS | Jason Lee MS | Jefferson MS | Fort Vancouver HS |
| Hudson’s Bay HS | Skyview HS | Vancouver Flex Academy | GATE |
Remodel/enlarge
| Columbia River HS | Vancouver School of Arts and Academics | Sacajawea ES | Franklin ES | Kiggins Bowl stadium |
Rebuild and replace
| King ES Built in 1971 |
Marshall ES Built in 1962 |
Peter S. Ogden ES Built in 1973 |
Truman ES Built in 1970 |
| Walnut Grove ES Built in 1952 |
McLoughlin MS Built in 1956 |
Fir Grove/Vista Built in 1955 |
Lieser Campus Built in 1944 |
New construction
| Vancouver iTech Preparatory Opened in 2012 in temp space |
New downtown elementary school | New NE 25th Ave. elementary school |
This and other articles originally appeared in the October 2016 issue of Inside Vancouver Public Schools.
Bonds = buildings, levies = operations
In February 2016, local voters renewed the district’s maintenance and operations levy. Levies and bonds are used for different things. Levy dollars pay for educational programs and day-to-day operations of schools, including:
- Teacher and staff support
- Extracurricular activities
- Classroom supplies, textbooks and equipment
- Utilities and insurance
- Safety and security staff
Levies are not typically used for significant construction and must be renewed in two-, three- or four-year intervals.
Bonds pay for facilities, including:
- New construction
- Replacement schools
- Building upgrades, e.g., new roofs, heating and cooling systems
- Safe and secure entrances
- Remodeling and expansion
If approved by local voters, bonds are eligible for state matching funds. They are paid off over a maximum of 20 years.
