Around the District

District Bond Sale Nets Savings to Tax Payers

At the December School Board Meeting the Board of Directors approved two resolutions authorizing the Sale of Tax-Exempt Bonds in the amount of $40,961,211, on December 16, 2009, and Sale of Qualified School Construction Bonds in the amount of $17,445,000, on December 29, 2010.

Sumner School District is one of just 8 districts in the State approved to sell qualified school construction bonds.

The sale of the bonds, totaling $58 million, is the final sale for the $114 million capital projects bond issue approved by voters in May 2007.

The bond package includes construction of a new facility to replace Lakeridge Middle School and modernization projects at Bonney Lake, Maple Lawn and Victor Falls elementary schools as well as Sumner Middle School, and the recently completed Sumner High School heating, ventilation and cooling project.

A favorable bond market with low interest rates, combined with highly competitive bids and a reduction in the cost of construction materials has been pivotal in keeping projects on time and on budget. Modernization includes upgrading buildings to meet current requirements for electrical, plumbing, energy, and seismic in addition to facility improvements to meet ADA, fire and life safety codes. New data, communications and security systems, interior painting, carpeting and tiling are planned for most schools as are improvements to parking lots and bus loops for added student safety. Some facilities need improvements to existing septic systems and storm water drainage.

The bond will also purchase building sites as the District plans for future schools.

Long Range Facilities Plan

A committee comprised of school district staff and community members studied the current condition of school facilities and developed a plan to prioritize renovation and construction projects around the District.

Capital Projects Bond

A bond issue for capital projects was approved by voters in May 2007. The bond package includes construction of a new facility to replace Lakeridge Middle School and modernization projects at Bonney Lake, Maple Lawn and Victor Falls elementary schools as well as Sumner Middle School and Sumner High School.

Modernization of these schools includes upgrading buildings to meet current requirements for electrical, plumbing, energy, and seismic in addition to facility improvements to meet ADA, fire and life safety codes. New data, communications and security systems, interior painting, carpeting and tiling are planned for most schools as are improvements to parking lots and bus loops for added student safety. Some facilities need improvements to existing septic systems and storm water drainage. The bond will also purchase building sites as the District plans for future schools.

School Constructions Plans

Green Schools Initiative

In keeping with the new state law requiring green building practices for new schools and modernization projects, the District is launching a new initiative to better employ green measures in all schools and facilities.

Top Reasons for Green Schools

• Protect Student and Teacher Health
  Schools with attention to proper ventilation, material selection, acoustical quality and other indoor environmental factors, can expect improved student and teacher health and higher attendance.
• Better Student Performance
  Studies have shown that student test scores can improve up to 20% when kids learn in green classrooms that provide more natural daylight, improved classroom acoustics and healthier paints and carpets that don’t release toxic chemicals into the air.
•  Lower Operating Costs
  Operating costs for energy and water can be reduced allowing more money to be used for teacher salaries, textbooks and computers.