The Facilities Oversight for Capital Utilization & Sustainability (FOCUS) Committee has made significant strides over the summer months to address the district’s facility needs. Below is a summary of key discussions and actions from the June, July, and August meetings.
June 4, 2024 Meeting: The FOCUS Committee’s June 4th meeting featured a presentation from Phil Engebretsen, Director of Facilities, Operations, and Athletics, focusing on the district’s athletic facilities. The committee discussed community ties to Pete’s Pool, exploring the idea of a land swap with the City of Enumclaw. They also reviewed the prioritization of facility maintenance, such as improvements to Southwood fields and Pete’s Pool, while discussing revenue and facility use fees. The committee delved into strategies for future levy and bond proposals, addressing the importance of community support. Conversations around boundary adjustments and potential impacts on future recommendations continued.
July 2, 2024 Meeting: On July 2nd, the committee reviewed updates from the June ESD Special Meeting and continued discussions on district boundary adjustments. Sub-Committee Chair Cathy Dahlquist shared examples from other districts to inform the committee’s approach. Members explored various frameworks for their recommendation, with some suggesting the inclusion of both majority and minority reports to reflect differing opinions. The committee made plans to draft and distribute a member survey to gather data and establish the priorities of each member to be reviewed at the next meeting.
August 6, 2024 Meeting: During the August 6th meeting, the committee focused on refining its recommendation structure and template. They reviewed a template example from Tacoma that incorporates community culture, concerns, and historical bond data into the recommendation. A portion of the meeting was dedicated to the sub-committee update and boundary adjustment discussions, led by Cathy Dahlquist, as the committee considered future district growth and community feedback.
The committee also reviewed and discussed the committee member survey data. Based on the data, the committee agreed on the following priorities:
1. Replacement of Byron Kibler Elementary
2. General maintenance- including repaving McDougall Avenue
3. Additional elementary school in Black Diamond
4. Secure campus upgrades
5. Performing Arts Center
6. Athletic facilities
The FOCUS Committee will continue its work next month, preparing to finalize recommendations for the school board. Stay informed about upcoming meetings and progress by visiting our website.
