Miller recommends waiting on May 2011 Wa-Hi bond

Walla Walla High School facility planning to take more time
Miller recommends waiting on May 2011 bond

Superintendent Mick Miller recommended to school board members during the Tuesday, March 15 board meeting to wait on pursuing a bond measure to improve Walla Walla High School.

Miller has been busy the past two months meeting with staff and community members to gather input on when the district should take a measure to the voters.

Low interest rates and construction costs tempted Miller to consider a bond measure in May of 2011. He said although most people recognize Walla Walla and Lincoln High Schools have tremendous facility needs, he reported now is not the time to seek voter approval on these projects.

"We need more input from the community and staff on the design of a modernized Walla Walla High School," Miller said. "We have met with scores of people and we need to continue this outreach as we move forward with planning a bond for November 2011 or April 2012."

The district is partnering with architects from BLRB/USKH to develop designs for a future Walla Walla High School facilities improvement project.

Miller says architects will meet more frequently with Walla Walla High School staff in the coming weeks to further refine designs. Miller said the district will conduct community meetings, organize tours of Walla Walla High School, meet with individuals, service groups, parents and staff this spring and next school year to get input on preliminary designs for Walla Walla High School.

Assistant Superintendent Laure Quaresma is working with Lincoln HS Principal Jim Sporleder and Lincoln staff to develop a vision for the school's future programs to better determine longrange facility needs.