CHIMACUM — A facilities bond measure that the Chimacum School District is considering for the Feb. 9 ballot probably would be aimed primarily at funding its primary school’s transition into a full-service elementary school, according to the district’s superintendent.
“We have discussed a list of projects and their cost,” Rick Thompson said Friday.
“It’s likely that the major thrust of the bond issue will be to expand Chimacum Creek Primary School to include pre-school through fifth grade.”
The Chimacum School has yet to determine the amount the district will request voters approve.
The ballot measure must be filed with the Jefferson County Auditor by Dec. 11 to be placed on the February special election ballot.
The district has sponsored public meetings to determine what people in the district want in their schools, the most recent being Saturday in the high school library.
Feedback continues to be solicited. Comments can be made by emailing Jessie Michaels, human resources assistant at jessie_michaels@csd49.org or contacting Thompson at rick_thompson@csd49.org or 360-302-5896.
If it is placed on the ballot, the proposal would be considered one year after the defeat of a $34.8 million bond request that received 50.88 percent support but fell short of the 60 percent supermajority required for passage.
Two aspects of the defeated measure are likely to be scaled back, Thompson said.
Last year’s measure included a proposed state-of-the-art athletic facility.
The 2016 question would include a basic all-weather track without a large stadium and an Astroturf surface.
It would not include funds for a new administration building; business would be conducted in a portable building.
“This next bond will be more focused on academics,” Thompson said.
The primary school, which serves preschool to third-grade students, now is located at 313 Ness’ Corner Road, away from the main campus at 91 West Valley Road.
The elementary school at the main campus hosts fourth and fifth grades, while the adjacent middle school includes grades 6-8 and the high school houses grades 9-12.
Once the primary school were expanded with more classroom space and a playground geared to older students, the current elementary school building that was built in 1948 would be demolished, Thompson said.
The alternative PI program, now located in the elementary school building, would be relocated, Thompson said.
If voters approve the funding, Thompson hopes that work could be completed in two or three years.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
