PSD Board Votes: Bond on February Ballot

Pasco School District's Board of Directors voted unanimously to place a bond initiative on the February 12 ballot.

* The debt amount of the proposed bond is $46.4 million.

* The estimated rate for taxpayers is .34 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $34 per year for a $100,000 property.

* Estimated State matching dollars total $38.1 million.

* With a successful bond and State matching funds Pasco School District will complete projects estimated at $84.5 million.

The bond will fund:

* Elementary school #13 located at Road 52 and Powerline to open in fall 2014. The total project costs are estimated at $24.9 million, with an estimated $14.1 million of the total provided through State match funds. Elementary #13 will have a capacity of 750 students.

* Elementary school #14, a kindergarten center on the westside, located at Road 60 and Sandifur to open in fall 2015. Total project costs are estimated at $20.3 million, with an estimated $10.5 million of the total provided through State match funds. The kinder center will have a capacity of 725 students.

* Elementary #15 located at the Whittier Elementary site to open in fall 2015. The total project costs are estimated at $24.2 million, with an estimated $13.5 million of the total provided through State match funds. Elementary #15 will have a capacity of 750 students.

* Possible miscellaneous projects to be prioritized depending on remaining funds, final bids, and State match dollars:

 - New Horizons High School relocation

 - Stevens Middle School site improvements

 - PHS entrance, offices and additional science labs

 - Twain Elementary pick up and drop off

 - District wide improvements such as upgrades at older 

    schools   

 - Portables

 - Design funds for next schools

 - Land purchases: elementary, middle and high school sites

Since 2000 enrollment has increased by more than 6,700 students-77 percent, or an average of more than 600 new students a year-enough students to open a new school annually. The District has opened six schools since 2000, most recently Chiawana High School in 2009. As of October 1, 2012 the District was overenrolled by 2,709 students.

If the bond passes the District will make a K/1-6 conversion in 2015-16 when all of the new schools are open. Elementary schools will serve students grades K-6 or 1-6. Middle schools will serve grades 7 and 8. This change will be made to delay the need for a new middle school and reduce the cost to taxpayers.

Very Interested Parents, Patrons Are Very Important In Pasco

Pasco School District cordially invites all interested parents and community members to spend a morning with a Chiawana High School student at the second of the District's VIP Day series on Oct. 16 from 7:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Students are excited and ready to share their morning with community members and parents. There is no charge to attend VIP Day, however advance reservations are required.

In addition to rekindling fond high school memories, patrons and parents will receive information on the upcoming bond election from Superintendent Saundra Hill, while enjoying a continental breakfast with their student. From there students and participants will attend first, second and third period classes. The day wraps up with a debriefing over lunch, where participants are invited to share their thoughts and impressions on the day.

If you would like to be a VIP at PHS, please contact Gracie Valle-Chimal at 543-6743 or gvalle@psd1.org. 

Learning Is Alive At Longfellow Elementary

Two fifth grade students examine their ecosystems at Longfellow Elementary. Please click on the image to view a slideshow.

"Dude! Our duckweed is growing roots!" and "I found a cricket!" are just a few of the excited observations you're likely to hear coming from fifth grade Longfellow Elementary students in Mrs. Oxford's and Mrs. Blunden's classrooms lately. For their science unit about ecosystems the students built and planted model ecosystems for pond snails and land snails. They have gathered grasses, insects and worms found on the school playground and added them to their growing creations. The land snails were donated from another Longfellow teacher who found them at home. Comparing the two types of mollusks in their distinct environments makes for hands-on science fun.