SEQUIM — Helen Haller Elementary has an extra measure of security after the Sequim School District began erecting a fence on the property at 350 W. Fir Street during the district’s spring break.
Increasing safety has long been discussed for the school because of its many access points. The new fence creates fewer access points into the school’s main entrance for students, staff and visitors.
Sequim Superintendent Rob Clark said the fence is part of the district’s capital project levy passed prior to his hiring. In 2017, voters approved the three-year, $5.75 million levy to build the district’s central kitchen and deconstruct the Sequim Community School.
About $170,000 was left in the levy fund, Clark said, marked for the fence, roof repairs at Sequim Middle School and repairing cameras at Sequim High School.
Clark said no other monies were available in the fund for additional fencing at other campuses.
Fence installation cost about $38,000 with Viking Fence Company Inc. of Bremerton contracted to do the work.
“It certainly alleviates some concerns for Haller staff and Haller parents,” Clark said.
At the beginning of the year, safety protocol was enforced to stop parents and visitors to walk children to their classrooms before school and/or pick them up there after school.
When school children and staff can return to Helen Haller and other Sequim schools remains uncertain with COVID-19 concerns continuing nationwide. Schools were originally closed through April 24 but Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday ordered facilities closed through the remainder of the year.
Sequim school board members next meet April 13.
