Construction continues on Woodburn Elementary

The Camas School District will have three elementary schools completed within three years when Woodburn Elementary opens in 2013.

Grass Valley and Helen Baller Elementary are the other two recent additions, both of which opened in the fall of 2010.

A sixth elementary school is needed due to continued enrollment growth in the Camas School District, according to Superintendent Mike Nerland.

“With a large increase in our student population, the district had an urgent need to provide additional housing for our students,” he said.

The district’s fall 2011 enrollment was 5,887 full-time equivalency.

After a facilities committee determined that the elementary school population was likely to grow the fastest, a $113 million capital improvement bond was passed by voters in February 2007. The bond provided, among other things, the necessary funding to construct three elementary schools, remodel Camas High School, and make improvements to the district’s two middle schools.

Woodburn Elementary will be located at Crown Road near Lacamas Park. The school site is a result of a purchase and sale agreement between the developer of The Hills at Round Lake subdivision and the district. The developer is responsible for on-site grading, sewer and water lines, and street improvements of Southeast Crown Road and Northeast Woodburn Drive. The school district is responsible for school construction and providing trail access to Lacamas Park from the sidewalk system.

“I think the uniqueness of this site is that it is immediately north of Lacamas Park, and will provide new access to the park in addition to off-hour parking for users,” said Heidi Rosenberg, capital programs manager for the district. “We plan to take advantage of the adjacency in our education programming.”

The 71,383 square foot building will have capacity for 600 students and will include a 4,000 square foot covered play area, a 1,000 square foot preschool covered play area, and lawn play fields.

A separate parent drop off/pick up loop and bus loop will also be provided.

The interior will include 24 classrooms, a preschool special education program, a library, computer lab, music room, cafeteria and gym.

Construction is 20 percent complete and is expected to total $17.8 million.