Othello school construction bond decision could come Monday

OTHELLO — The Othello School Board could decide Monday whether or not to offer a construction bond to district voters next February.

District officials presented two options to the board at the June 26 regular meeting. The first would include a kindergarten through fifth grade building and a sixth through eighth grade middle school, with some shared space. That proposal also includes expansion of the existing Othello High School.

The second option was for a new Othello High School, with the existing OHS converted to a middle school. However, the district’s bonding capacity would mean the bond sales, and as a result the project, would be delayed. At the meeting, assistant superintendent Gina Bullis estimated a bond for the second option could be submitted to voters in 2026.

District officials recommended the first proposal to the board, and board members decided to discuss their options, and possibly make a decision, at Monday’s meeting.

The meeting is at 6:15 p.m. in the boardroom at the Othello School District office, 1025 South First Ave.

Because it’s early in the process, there’s no design yet. “There’s a certain amount of pre-design work that happens pre-bond,” Bullis said. But any specific design would wait until after the bond has passed, she said.

There have been some preliminary decisions. The new schools would be built on district-owned land at the intersection of 14th and Lee streets. The K-5 elementary and the middle school would be separate buildings, with shared space. The elementary and middle schools would house about 700 students.

The OHS remodel would start with a master campus plan, evaluating the existing building and space available. The bond would include money to expand OHS to accommodate 1,500 students, add more gym space and an auditorium. The cafeteria and other “core space,” hallways being an example, would be expanded also.

The option under consideration also includes money for a new athletic field complex at the 14th Street site, but what that might look like is still to be determined.

The June 26 presentation included an estimate of the bond cost. In the meantime, state officials and the Washington Legislature have yet to settle the details of the capital budget, which includes money for construction projects. As a result, the projected bond amount may be subject to change.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.