Moses Lake district discusses new schools

First new school 'toss up' between two locations

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board exchanged ideas Thursday on how to use money generated from the potential sale of bonds for roughly $30 million.

Although the board could not vote at the work session, it expressed a general consensus that $32,273,000 would be sufficient to cover the cost of two elementary schools, upgrades to Lions Field, technology and security upgrades, an expansion of physical education facilities at Chief Moses Middle School and special education facilities, and improvements to support facilities.

It also seemed to agree the biggest priority would be the elementary schools, followed by Chief Moses Middle School's gym for physical education.

The district anticipates 500 new elementary school students are enrolling during the next five years.

Preliminary cost estimates place the first elementary school at $7.7 million and the second at $9.2 million, although the facilities committee cautioned the numbers are rough. Costs include everything, from design and furniture to taxes and permits.

The district owns four pieces of land, but only two are currently in the running for an elementary school. Legislative Representative Lew Mason said it is a "toss up" between a site on Paxson Road and a site located between Peninsula Drive and Lakeshore Drive.

The new schools could increase the district's operating costs, said Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Monte Redal.

"Theoretically, we'll have the revenue with the increased enrollment," Redal said.

Board member Vicki Groff said she believes the district's second priority after the elementary schools is an expanded gym at Chief Moses Middle School because the district is not looking at constructing a new middle school for five or six years.

Board member Connie Opheikens said an expansion of special education facilities is essential.

The state is sharing the cost of construction for some projects, including the elementary schools and gym expansion. Mason said the district tried to maximize its use of state funding.

Technology improvements are also on the list. Mason said the committee thought technology at the older schools should be comparable to technology at the newer schools. The technology department recommended spending $4 million on upgrades, although no number has been decided on.