Facilities Improvement Bond Passes May 19, 2009
The voters of Yakima approved the Yakima School District Facilities Improvement Bond on May 19 with a 69.72% YES vote.
The Yakima School District has done an excellent job of maintaining its schools. However, critical issues have been identified and continue to increase: educationally-outdated classrooms; poor condition of infrastructure systems; student safety and security; and overcrowding.
The successful passage of the Facilities Improvement Bond provides for much-needed construction for our high schools. The facilities at both schools have deteriorated to the point that money allocated for instructional purposes now addresses the constant failing of building infrastructure systems. If not for the Bond, our ability to continue to achieve would be limited by facilities that were not built to prepare students for the 21st century.
Modernization of Davis High School will provide:
- An enclosed campus with one main entrance providing a safe and secure learning environment;
- All new infrastructure - replacing aging heating, cooling and plumbing systems and providing electrical capacity to support computers and other technology required to prepare students for the 21st century - in essence, a new state-of-the-art facility;
- A new permanent structure where numerous portables are now located; and
- A new gymnasium.
Replacement of Eisenhower High School will provide:
Increased building size to support enrollment and eliminate overcrowding, (school was originally built for approximately 1300 students and now is home to nearly 2,000);
State-of-the-art facility with systems to support computers and other technology required to prepare students for the 21st century; and
A school designed to provide ultimate safety for students and staff.
Other Bond Items
Bond funds will be used for the purpose of replacing and repairing aging and failing systems in schools across the district. Normal life expectancy of a mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system averages 15-30 years.
The majority of the Yakima School District systems are exceeding normal life expectancy with installation dates going back as far as 1947. When there is a major failure, most systems justify replacement rather than repairing an outdated, antiquated system. Extensive work will take place at Garfield, Hoover, McKinley and Nob Hill elementary schools, as well as the Discovery Lab School and Stanton Academy.
Other projects will include replacement of damaged sidewalks, entryways and courtyards; updating of electrical systems; replacement of damaged or worn flooring; replacement of obsolete plumbing systems; and roof repairs.
