GRANITE FALLS – Voters in the Granite Falls School District could be asked to decide on a bond measure to build a new high school sooner than expected.
The district had been considering a fall ballot, but could move it up to spring based on community feedback, said Joel Thaut, the district’s superintendent.
A 25-member committee studying enrollment trends and the design of a new high school met in October and suggested the district move forward as quickly as possible, Thaut said.
The Granite Falls School Board has asked the committee for advice on running the proposal in May.
“We all realize the longer we wait to build the school, the more expensive it will be,” he said.
The district has tried to pass bonds for a new high school three times before. Each time, the proposals received more than a 50 percent “yes” vote but fell short of the 60 percent supermajority required by state law.
A new high school would serve 800 students with the ability to expand to 1,200. Granite Falls High School now has about 700 students. During the 1995-96 school year, there were about 400.
The high school would be built next to Monte Cristo Elementary School on 100th Street NE.
Jody Hillery, a mother with two children attending Granite Falls schools, serves on the district committee studying the bond measure.
“I really think it’s time,” she said. “I don’t think people realize how many kids are in the portables.”
Under the proposal, the existing high school would become a middle school, and a third elementary school would be created from the existing middle school.
“It doesn’t just take care of the high school problems,” Hillery said. “It helps ease the whole district.”
The previous proposals called for a $21 million bond measure. However, the district is refining its new proposal, and there is not a firm price tag, said Kathy Grant, a school district spokeswoman.
The committee studying the high school proposal will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in the high school library, 405 N. Alder Ave. to discuss design elements for the new school.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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