News A patron tour of select Washougal schools will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday to better familiarize citizens with the three buildings most heavily impacted if the February bond election is successful.
The tour will begin at the district office, 4855 Evergreen Way. The group will board a school bus and visit Jemtegaard Middle School, Excelsior High School and the Washougal School District Bus Barn.
“We understand that the majority of voters that we are asking to support this capital bond do not have an opportunity to go into these facilities,” said Dawn Tarzian, Washougal School District superintendent. “This tour will provide them with the chance to see the needs first hand at Jemtegaard Middle School, Excelsior High School and the district bus garage and have their questions answered.”
The Washougal School Board has authorized the district to issue a general obligation capital bond to address safety, student capacity and facility needs. This decision comes after nearly a year of research, study and community input by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee. The bond will be $57.68 million and brought before voters at a special election on Feb. 10, 2015.
The tour of JMS will highlight issues surrounding student safety, the portable classroom environment, physical condition of the school and how enrollment growth is well beyond capacity.
