The Issaquah School District is still growing, as more residential units are either under construction or close to it.
Lakeside East, which was part of the Lakeside development agreement, is in preliminary review stages with the city for the construction of 260 units, another development in the Highlands at NE Falls Dr. and 14th could result in 36 homes, and Discovery Heights in the Highlands could add 253 apartments, to name just a few of the active projects in Issaquah.
An active project is defined as one where a permit application has been presented to the city. The ISD board of directors met with the Issaquah City Council March 27, for the annual linkage meeting to share ideas on growth and how to work hand-in-hand to accommodate the expectation of more students into the district.
“Retirees are selling and young families are moving in,” said ISD board member Marnie Maraldo.
Adding to student count is the fact that the economic downturn sent more kids back to public schools from private schools said Jacob Kuper, chief financial officer for the district. Kuper said for every new residential unit built, it means half a child in the district.
While four elementary schools will be expanding, the majority of the discussion was focused on the new Issaquah Middle School, and relocation of Tiger Mountain Community High School and Clark Elementary. Director of capital projects for the district, Steve Crawford, said construction of the new IMS will begin in spring of 2014, with occupancy in September 2015. IMS will be built on the play fields behind the existing Clark Elementary. The old middle school will be partially demolished and/or remodeled beginning in June 2015, to accommodate Tiger Mountain and Clark Elementary, which will be in two separate buildings south of the community center.
Occupancy for the new Clark Elementary and Tiger Mountain is scheduled for fall of 2016. The old Clark Elementary will be demolished and play fields relocated to its old site.
Traffic patterns and parking will be tight during this process, since the upper parking lot for IHS will be used as a construction staging area. But that’s the way it was during construction of IHS said incoming superintendent Ron Thiele. He said no doubt more kids will have to use the bus to relieve pressure during the construction period. New parking for the high school will be prepared at the South end of where Clark Elementary was. The high school will have the same amount of parking as they do now when the entire project is done.
This summmer, addition and remodel work will be done at Issaquah Valley Elementary, and Apollo Elementary to be completed in the fall of 2014. Students will remain in the schools while the work is done.
Other topics included the skate park, and what to do about the “less than desirable” activities that take place there. The city would like to move it, but where to move it remains the question.
The gun range behind the IHS campus was also discussed, but it has been in its location since 1928 – long before the school. Mayor Ava Frisinger said the gun club did berm the property in response to community concern, also noting that the clubhouse is a historical structure. Council member Fred Butler said the upside to the club is that they teach gun safety.
“They’re a good organization,” Butler said.
