1998 Bond Project Accomplishments

The proceeds of the 1998 Bond Project authorization were utilized to address the most immediate school facility needs, according to the priorities established by the 1997 School Facility Study and Survey. The following work has been accomplished since 1998 through our Capital Improvement Program.

• Lewis & Clark High School Renovation > Click here for pictures.
  A complete remodel and modernization of historic Lewis & Clark High School was completed in 2001. The 1912 4-story main building was renovated to bring it up to the latest standards in life, safety, and building code requirements, while doing so in such a way as to retain as many of the historical aspects of the facility as possible, and honor those that had to be eliminated. The facility now boasts a state-of-the-art fiber optic backbone to support the use of technology in the classroom, and in the school’s business services.

  The physical site was expanded through the purchase of adjacent property, and a modern field house was constructed in a style that architecturally compliments the historic main building. Major portions of a second block, just south of the new field house, were acquired and work began in the spring of 2003 to renovate the additional property into physical education playfields. Due to the district’s efforts on this historic renovation project, Lewis and Clark High School was retained on the National Register of Historic Places, and added to the Washington Heritage Register by the Washington Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. In addition, the firm that assisted the District in designing the Lewis and Clark modernization project won an Award of Merit from the Spokane Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

  The National School Board Association's "Learning by Design" jury selected the Lewis and Clark project for a national Citation for Excellence Award. The Lewis and Clark project was one of just four award winners out of 111 national entrants in 2001.
  

• North Central High School Addition > Click here for pictures.
  Following the first phase of the long-range plan for North Central High School, the facility was expanded and select portions of it were modernized. Additional classrooms were provided so that added class offerings could be made available to the students. The physical education spaces were expanded with the addition of a second gymnasium, and new locker rooms were provided – which greatly improved usability, accessibility, equity, and safety. The library/media and computer lab also expanded to meet the needs of current program offerings.
  
  
• Rogers High School Improvements > Click here for pictures.
  Select portions of the 1932 3-story main building were modernized and/or expanded. The existing locker rooms were replaced with new facilities to improve safety and usability and to provide expanded locker space, and new public restrooms were added in the gymnasium. Additional specialized classrooms were added to the facility to meet the needs of the District’s high school science curriculum. The auditorium was renovated in a historically accurate fashion, while providing lighting and sound systems that meet today’s needs. The administrative office area was also modernized to improve functionality, ergonomics and support current and future technology.
  
  
• Browne Elementary School Replacement > Click here for pictures.
  Browne Elementary School was replaced with a new facility on the existing site. This modern facility was programmed to meet the needs of today’s elementary school curriculum and educational delivery methodology. Though an entirely new facility, the architectural features were chosen to maintain some historic aspects and the “feel” of the original 1920’s Browne Elementary.
  
  
• Technology Improvements at All Schools
  The District purchased computers, printers, scanners, data projectors, smartboards and other classroom technology equipment necessary for the delivery of academic programs. These purchases were made according to the individual school or department’s technology acquisition plan. Each school site purchased technology equipment according to the needs of their programs and educational delivery methodologies.. In addition, the District’s technology infrastructure was upgraded and expanded with a “state of the art” high-speed Wide Area Network. Fiber optic data transmission wire and associated routing equipment were installed in each facility, and multiple data taps were installed in classrooms, offices, and workspaces according to the District’s new technology standards.
  
  
• Upgrade Electrical Systems and Retrofit Schools for Technology
  Upgrades were completed to electrical distribution systems of all District educational facilities to provide additional capacity, circuits, and outlets to support the increased use of technology in the classroom. Where required, facilities received a whole new service feed, new main electrical panel(s), or new main distribution transformer. Transient Voltage Surge Suppression equipment (TVSS) was installed to protect computers and associated peripherals from damage due to power fluctuations.
  
  
• Intercom/Phone/Communication Upgrades
  Upgrades to the District’s intercom, phone, and communications systems at all schools district-wide were completed over the course of the 1998 bond cycle. This project was implemented to improve safety and security, and to reduce operational costs. Today our in-district telecommunications system is a state of the art “voice over IP” system that utilizes our fiber-optic Wide Area Network to connect our schools, one to another and to the outside world.
  
  
• Auditorium Improvements at Ferris and Shadle Park
  Upgrades to the auditorium lighting and sound systems at Ferris and Shadle Park High Schools were completed. This project provided for improvements to the sound and lighting systems and associated controls, as well as creating appropriate areas for the sound and lighting boards and the technicians operating these systems. The equipment provided met the basic needs of a high school band, chorus, or theatrical academic program. Ferris and Shadle Park were brought up to the district’s standards in auditorium lighting and sound, and are now equitable with the newly renovated and modernized auditoriums at Lewis and Clark and Rogers high schools.
  
  
• High School Science Room Renovation > Click here for pictures.
  Science classrooms at Ferris, North Central, Rogers, and Shadle Park High Schools were upgraded to provide improvements to the classroom layout, furniture and fixtures, storage, and infrastructure during with dollars from the 1998 bond. This project also enhanced the ability to deliver the high school science curriculum, and also improve the safety of both staff and students.
  
  
• Garry Middle School Addition and Improvements
  This project provided a second gymnasium that greatly improved the ability of the physical education staff to meet the needs of students. It also provided additional off-street staff and visitor parking through an expansion of the existing parking lot. The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system for the entire building was upgraded to provide additional fresh outdoor air, and an energy management system was incorporated to provide increased energy efficiency. Finally, the fire alarm system was substantially upgraded to increase the safety of staff, students, and visitors.
  
  
• Elementary Library Remodels
  These projects expanded and remodeled the library and media centers at Madison and Pratt Elementary Schools. The libraries at these two elementary schools have been completely renovated to provide a larger library area that can accommodate a greater number of titles, improved traffic flow and book check-out, provide larger workspaces, improved student supervision, and create space for the use of personal computers within the library proper.
  
  
• Wilson Elementary Expansion
  The portable classrooms at Wilson Elementary School were replaced with new permanent construction. A six-classroom wing was added to Wilson Elementary School to replace the modular classroom units that had provided educational space for students since the original classroom wing had burned down more than twenty five years ago. The new classroom wing provides a safer classroom environment, as well as one that is more conducive to the educational process. In addition, the removal of the modular classroom units create much needed play space at this landlocked and extremely small site.
  
  
• Site Improvements at Adams and Cooper Elementary Schools
  These projects provided improved traffic flow and easier access at Adams and Cooper elementary schools. Student safety was improved by providing bus loading/unloading turnouts, designated student pick-up/drop-off areas for parents, and additional fencing, sidewalks, and signage. Safety and convenience for staff was also increased through the addition of off-street parking.
  
  
• Instructional Space Expansion
  Improvements were made at Arlington, Audubon, Bemiss, Cooper, Finch, Garfield, Grant, Holmes, Hutton, Jefferson, Longfellow, Regal, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Whitman, Willard, and Woodridge elementary schools. These improvements have provided much needed additional finished spaces in our largest and most heavily populated elementary schools. The needs of each site were evaluated separately, and the space was renovated according to the needs of each individual location.
  
  
• Site Improvements at Indian Trail Elementary > Click here for pictures.
  Complete irrigation and landscaping on Indian Trail Elementary site west of the school and adjacent to the City Park was done with money from the 2003 bond. The “natural” setting of much of the Indian Trail site exposed dirt areas caused high amounts of wind-borne sand and dust which impacted the indoor air quality and also was a constant irritation to neighboring homeowners. This was resolved by extending the irrigation system and seeding the areas with grass and other plantings. The project also incorporated a bus turnout to improve traffic flow and safety, and an ADA compliant ramp was installed on a slope leading from the bus loading/drop-off area to the classroom wing.
  
  
• LC Playfield Project