Edison Elementary Principal addresses concerns with new Edison school

Edison Elementary Principal addresses concerns with new Edison school
As principal of Edison Elementary, I feel obliged to address concerns that were discussed in the June 2 edition of the Union Bulletin.

The design of the new school was a collaborative effort that included parents, community members, and staff working with the architect. There were many meetings when people shared their aspirations with the architect, who in turn would bring revised drawings to the next meeting.

Building a facility that supports best instructional practices to promote student achievement guided our decisions. In any construction project, every desire cannot be met. Disappointment that a stage/performance area was not included is understandable, but the decision was to purchase risers and a sound shell to be used for performances in the gym which is consistent with common practice in all of the elementary schools.

The district's performing arts auditorium, which can be accessed by all schools, is located at Walla Walla High School.

Space for Homelink, our district's connection with home-schooled children, was included in the first design for the new Edison, but when the bond failed in 2006, the district chose to balance student population at the six elementary schools with Edison having three classrooms at each grade level rather than two, not leaving space for another program. In the second bond proposal in 2007, Homelink was never included as part of the new building.

The school was built on a tight site resulting in parking and traffic flow challenges. After a committee including parents and community members consulted the city, the fire department, and the district's transportation department, it was decided to switch buses to the front of the building and private vehicles to the back.

Bus drop off and pick up works well, and the congestion in the back of the school in the afternoon lasts about 10 minutes from dismissal bell until the last car leaves campus, which is an acceptable time frame.

Excluding warranty issues that are being addressed, the new building is complete. Students have state of the art technology in every classroom, an outdoor science center, an outdoor amphitheatre for performances and instruction, a cafeteria that can be used for art classes, and a quality gymnasium that is excellent for school and community use.

In short, the district got a great value for its investment; one that should last another 75 years.

Nancy Withycombe, Principal