School upgrade: Renovate or raze?

By Brian Kelly

Herald Writer

ARLINGTON — There’s a mixed bag of opinion over whether the Arlington School District should build a new elementary school or renovate Presidents Elementary.

The district recently released results of a survey probing residents’ thoughts about how to improve the school. Approximately 420 people were polled, and although the survey did not offer a one-question choice between the two options, respondents were able to offer comments at the end about which approach would be best.

In a tally of those comments, 30 respondents were clearly in favor of a new building. But 36 said they wanted the existing school renovated, or were undecided about the choice.

Arlington voters approved a $54 million bond measure last year, which will pay for a new high school and another elementary school called Pioneer Elementary. The renovation of Presidents Elementary was also part of the package. The modernization of the school is expected to cost about $8 million.

Presidents Elementary, on N. French Avenue, is made up of three buildings and dates to the 1950s. Supporters of a new school say constructing a new facility will mean improved security for staff and students, as well as the chance to reroute the traffic flow to the school. It would also be faster to build a new school than renovate the existing one.

School officials began talking about building a new Presidents Elementary earlier this year. That would include tearing down both the Lincoln and Washington buildings at the site and constructing a one-building elementary school. The other option is renovating the existing campus.

The automated telephone poll, set up by the Arlington Public Schools Facilities Committee, was conducted between March 30 and April 9.

"I was surprised that there was such a high-percentage support for a new building," said Rob Pattermann, an assistant superintendent with the Arlington district.

Most of those who participated in the poll, about 57 percent, were parents of children currently enrolled in Arlington schools.

When asked if they supported renovating Presidents Elementary — which would mean students going to school at the current high school site for a year — parents overwhelmingly said no to the idea, 132-51. Overall, 61 percent of the respondents said they couldn’t support the renovation idea.

The survey also asked if people would support replacing Presidents Elementary with a new school if it meant that no new tax dollars would be needed for the project. Approximately 84 percent of the responses supported the new school with that provision.

The telephone poll posed seven questions, then gave respondents a chance to leave a message at the end of the call.

Some disputed that the new construction could occur without additional tax money, and others said the last election was less than honest. Others warned that the district could face legal challenges if it tried to replace Presidents Elementary with a new school because that’s not what was on the ballot that voters approved.

"You need to listen to what the people said. They said renovate," one message said. It echoed another comment that said if the district had enough money to build a new school, then homeowners should get a tax refund.

One respondent said the questions were "very biased and obviously pro brand-new school." And others said renovation of the existing school makes more sense because it would provide 15 percent more space than a new building. What’s more, the district would be eligible for state money in 20 years if it renovated, compared with 30 years if it built a new school.

Pattermann said the committee tried to keep the survey balanced.

"We tried extremely hard with the information and the questions to present a very balanced approach to this," Pattermann said. But he added that they also wanted to make it clear that the committee favors building a new school.

"We tried to be obvious in our communication to the community that the facilities committee supports a new (school) versus a renovated."

The facilities committee may hold some meetings in the future to gather additional input before the school board is asked to make a decision on the project, Pattermann said.

"Obviously, we need to get to the place where we’re making a formal recommendation to the board. Between now and then we want to have some community information sessions or forums to be able to talk about the differences between these two projects," he said.

You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.