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How Big is Too Big?

Thank you for taking the time to visit our Facilities information page. As you may be aware, the area served by the La Center School District is experiencing continual growth. And, while it may be tempting to “blame it on the developers” the truth is we are seeing significant increases in enrollment from sources other than new housing. All the indicators point to families with school aged children either buying existing homes that were without children before, or creating a “multi-generational” living arrangement by moving in with parents. In any case, the end result is more children in our schools. Especially hard hit is our elementary school. At 730 students, we are significantly over the 463 student capacity the K-5 was designed for, as well as the 475 student average of other K-5 elementary schools in Clark County districts of our size. While it is ultimately up to our community to decide “how big is too big” for an elementary school, we cannot escape the fact that we are out of room. Additionally our high school athletic programs continue to grow and we desperately need additional facilities in this area as well.

That is why we have formed a four phase plan to address both the short and long term facility needs of our district. Phase I was the formation of a Facility Advisory Committee. This group of community members worked for nearly a year gathering the information needed to make an informed facility recommendation to the Board of Directors of the school district. They completed their work and made their recommendation on September 25, 2007. The formal recommendation can be viewed by clicking on their link below. Phase II was the work of the Board to determine the “will” of the community. They did this through a number of meetings where the public was invited to share their perspectives. It was vitally important that stakeholders took the time to let the Board know their thoughts. Phase II was completed on February 12, 2008 when the Board made a decision about whether or not to run a bond and what to put on it. Phase III (organization of a bond committee and support of effort to pass the bond) is where we are now. Phase IV (build and open new facilities once funding is voter approved) will be the last phase of our plan.

It is important to remember that our biggest challenge is getting the word out to our community. It is the human network that has the real power to make things happen. When the people of La Center understand a need, they are unfailingly quick to address it. Below you will find links to various documents full of information about our facility needs.

For more information, please contact Laurie Kansanback at 263-2131 or lkansanback@lcsd.k12.wa.us.

Frequently Asked Questions

LCSD Proposed 20 Year Timeline

Phase I - Facility Advisory Committee’s Formal Recommendation

Enrollment Growth Challenge

K-8 Campus Alternative Housing Strategies

Phase II - Meeting Dates

Phase III – The La Center Board of Directors Formally Approves Facilities Bond

Phase IV – To Be Determined

2007 Levy & Bond Rate

Bond Issue Planning Power Point
Copy of presentation from SNW Securities regarding possible school bond scenarios

COMMENTS? schoolboard@lcsd.k12.wa.us