A Deep Dive into Region 3; History and Change

 

On Thursday, November 30, our School Capacity and Utilization Task Force gathered at the Karshner Museum and Center of the Arts for their sixth meeting. of the focus for this meeting was Region 3, our district’s most historic region. This area covers downtown Puyallup, the rural agricultural area along River Road, and North Hill, which is quickly becoming a hotspot for educational growth in the Puyallup School District.

Diversity and Rich Educational Landscape

Region 3 boasts a tapestry of schools, each contributing to the rich educational fabric of the district. From the stalwart Puyallup High School to Walker High School, Aylen, Edgemont, Kalles Junior High, and a lineup of esteemed elementary schools like Fruitland, Karshner (dual-language), Northwood, Mountain View, Maplewood, Meeker, Shaw Road, and Waller Road – the diversity of these schools reflects PSD’s commitment to providing quality education across the spectrum. 

Exploring the historical roots offers crucial insights into understanding North Hill's history and Puyallup High School's evolution. Spanning consolidations in the 1930s to recent modernizations, this historical context enhances our appreciation for the educational heritage embedded in Region 3. Learn more about the history of North Hill schools, Spinning Elementary, and Puyallup High School below.

Unveiling the Growth Catalysts in Region 3

Region 3 has experienced substantial growth and is emerging as a dynamic development center. While Edgerton in Region 1 takes the lead in planned single-family detached home development, The Edgemont Junior High catchment area (Northwood and Mountain View Elementary) in Region 3 anticipates a significant increase in total housing, a large portion of which is multi-family housing over the next five years. The historical transformation of North Hill, particularly driven by the incorporation of Edgewood in 1995, plays a pivotal role in shaping this growth trajectory. The introduction of the city’s first phase of sewers made growth more feasible on the Hill. 

Insights from Dr. Mark Knight: Unveiling Edgemont's Unique Grade Configuration and Neighborhood Changes
Dr. Mark Knight, Principal at Edgemont Junior High, took center stage to impart invaluable insights into the distinctive grade configuration implemented at the school. To alleviate overcrowding at the elementary level in the 2017-18 academic year, sixth graders from several elementary schools in the Puyallup School District were temporarily relocated to their feeder Junior High school until new and expanded facilities, funded by the 2015 bond, were completed for the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year. This plan included a shift of sixth-grade students from Mt. View Elementary and Northwood Elementary to Edgemont Junior High.  While other schools returned to the K-6 elementary model in the 2019-20 academic year, Northwood Elementary and Mt. View Elementary continued the K-5 elementary model, and sixth graders remained at Edgemont Junior High, resulting in the 6th- 9th grade alignment that exists there today. This strategic decision was born out of the imperative to alleviate space constraints at elementary schools long-term while accommodating the rapid population growth witnessed in the surrounding area.

North Hill emerges as a microcosm of dynamic change, exemplified by a marked increase in the multilingual learner population over the past five years – a considerable increase from 4% to 11%. At Edgemont Junior High alone, the linguistic landscape is exceptionally diverse, boasting over 30 different languages, including Ukrainian and Spanish. The language diversity and residential growth surge calls for innovative educational strategies to effectively support and engage students in this richly varied academic environment. (*Notably, Northwood Elementary has also experienced a substantial increase, now hosting 15% of multilingual learners.) 

Edgemont's unique 6th-9th grade alignment is a distinctive feature within the district, albeit with its inherent challenges. Effectively addressing space constraints and adeptly navigating the evolving demographic composition of North Hill necessitates ongoing adaptability and forward-thinking educational strategies. The commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment remains paramount in this complex educational landscape.

Decoding the Characteristics of Region 3

Our exploration extended to encompass the broader characteristics defining Region 3, spanning educational specifications, physical environments, school capacity, technology, and building conditions.
 
In Region 3, numerous schools have a history of over 50 years, originally designed to accommodate a different systematic approach to education. The traditional "sit and get" format, reminiscent of the experiences of many parents and grandparents, has gradually given way to a more hands-on, collaborative learning environment. This shift aligns with PSD’s overarching goal of preparing students for success in both college and career upon graduation. However, these aging structures are now confronted with the challenge of not meeting the demands of modern education. They lack the necessary technology, materials, and classroom space to provide our students and staff with a rigorous academic experience.

The task force's investigation revealed that eight out of 15 buildings in Region 3 scored below 55% on their Building Conditions Assessment, marking them as needing attention. This finding underscores our ongoing dedication to rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement.
 
A noteworthy case is Spinning, which bears the district's lowest Building Conditions Assessment score (40.5). This figure serves as a compelling call for transformative changes. Having undergone its last major update in 1985, spanning a considerable 38 years, the current state of the school's infrastructure poses significant impediments to the dynamic evolution of education within its walls.

Additionally, the task force delved into the advantages associated with smaller footprints. Although historical properties in Region 3 present challenges with their compact size, both in terms of architecture and acreage, they bring along a distinctive set of benefits.

Navigating Closures and Modernization: The Puyallup High School Library Science Saga

The closure of the Puyallup High School Library Science building throws a spotlight on the critical challenge posed by aging infrastructure, emphasizing the ongoing need for revitalization efforts to prevent closures due to obsolescence, weather damage, or the inevitable wear and tear.
Navigating unexpected challenges is a fact, demanding proactive measures. At PSD (Puyallup School District), our dedicated teams work tirelessly daily to provide steadfast support and upkeep for our systems and structures. Yet, the inherent unpredictability of system failures and building issues underscores the necessity for strategic planning and financial investments in our schools.

As time marches on, the lack of consistent modernization, while involving upfront expenses, heightens the risk of building closures due to obsolete components, weather-related damage, or the natural aging of structures. The recent closure of the Puyallup High School Library Science building serves as a poignant reminder of this concern. Circumstances beyond our control have propelled us to a critical juncture where the delicate balance between safety and spatial considerations demands prioritizing safety.

Regrettably, Puyallup’s Library-Science Building may be a sign of more unexpected changes, especially as eight out of our 15 Region 3 schools are classified as "Poor" on the Building Conditions Assessment. As time progresses without regular modernization, the heightened risk of building closures looms larger as components become obsolete, endure weather damage, or wear down due to age.

In the realm of construction, the landscape has witnessed a steady increase in building materials and labor costs over the past few years. While there is some relief in the rate of cost escalations, we continue to budget for an estimated 7% rise over the next four years.  Although supply availability has improved since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged lead times still strain our educational infrastructure. From refurbishing aging portables to maintaining heating and cooling systems and shared spaces, our schools need adequate funding to provide optimal learning environments for our children. However, the escalating costs pose challenges in completing these crucial projects on time and within budget.

On September 7, 2023, the Washington State Supreme Court clarified that funding for school construction is not part of “basic education” or solely the state's duty; it is a collaborative effort between local communities and the State Legislature.

Puyallup and districts statewide grapple with challenges in passing bonds and levies, directly impacting local property taxes. Since 2015, Puyallup has yet to pass a capital bond or capital levy. Currently, PSD supports 60 buildings with an estimated replacement value of $1,741,000,000, and our lifecycle renewals for construction and system maintenance have averaged around $150,000,000 every six years. PSD’s capital budget, which is responsible for major maintenance, renovation, and construction projects, is set to run out by 2026, placing district buildings and school capacity in a precarious situation that will long exceed the work and recommendations of our SCUT Task Force.

In summary, SCUT Meeting 6 revealed a rich variety of insights and revelations, shedding light on the intricacies of Region 3. Our unwavering commitment to delivering quality education takes precedence as we navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Stay tuned for further updates on the ever-evolving educational landscape within the Puyallup School District.

The task force is scheduled to meet again on December 14, 2023, to brainstorm space and capacity solutions for Region 3, the Puyallup High School catchment area. 

To access presentation materials and stay updated on the School Capacity and Utilization progress, visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/scut.

For more information, including the February 13, 2024, Capital Levy and Capital Budget, visit the following links:

• Feb. 13, 2024, Capital Levy: http://www.puyallupsd.org/levy
• Capital Budget: https://puyallupsd.org/capitalbudget

Sidebar

North Hill History

The new Edgemont Junior High School, one of the 1997 Bond Program projects, opened in the fall of 2001 and replaced the original school at the same site. The Edgewood, Jovita and Mountain View school districts consolidated in 1936 creating the new Edgemont School District. Named for this "new" school district, the original Edgemont School was opened in 1938 on North Hill, east of Meridian Avenue North and just north of 24th Street East. In the beginning, the old school only had eight (8) classrooms and housed students in grades one through grade eight. Edgemont School changed to a junior high school in 1957 with the opening of Hilltop Elementary. (Hilltop Elementary was closed in 2021.) The Edgemont School District merged with the Puyallup School District in 1967. 

The permanent building has a total of 20 classroom spaces, one (1) gymnasium, one (I) practice gym, and several smaller specialty instructional spaces. 
History of Spinning Elementary School

Spinning Elementary School began as a four (4) room schoolhouse in 1891. Spinning Elementary School is located in east Puyallup, east of Meridian Avenue and just south of East Pioneer Avenue.

The school was named after Frank R. Spinning. Mr. Spinning was born in Olympia, Washington, on August 6, 1860. Frank received his early education in an Indian school on the Puyallup reservation, later attending the public schools of Puyallup and Sumner, and completing his studies in the schools of Portland, Oregon.
In 1882, Mr. Spinning engaged in farming at a location in the Stuck Valley, three (3) miles north of Sumner. For many years Mr. Spinning took an active part in public affairs and served in a number of important official positions. For example, from 1883 to 1887 he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners and was a member of the Sumner School Board for 18 years.

A two (2) room addition was made to Spinning Elementary School in 1923 and a four (4) room addition was added in 1926. The V-shaped building was remodeled in 1935 and the play court, which was an outside play court, was made into an enclosed play court with a stage.

The east and west classroom wings were added to the V-building in 1961. In 1977, the special education wing was added. In 1985, the entire building was modernized with the exception of the special education wing. This remodel was a state matched project with local funds coming from the 1984 Bond Issue.
The education specifications for the permanent building were designed to have a total of 12 general-use classrooms, one (1) kindergarten room, three (3) special education classrooms and a number of smaller specialty instructional spaces. In addition, the school has one (1) of the district's prototype play sheds. 

History of Puyallup High School 

The district's first high school classes were held at Central School, the present site of the Karshner Museum building. In 1910, a newly constructed two-story brick building was built at 105 7th Street Southwest and named Puyallup High School for its geographical location. Puyallup High School is in the Puyallup Valley, west of Meridian Avenue and just north of West Pioneer.

In 1919, a gymnasium and auditorium were added to the original structure. However, a disastrous fire occurred in 1927, which virtually destroyed all the existing buildings. Following the fire, a three-story building was rebuilt along with the addition of a south wing and an entry foyer. In 1935, a large auditorium was added to the building and two east wings were added to the buildings in 1938.

The gym building was built in 1958, and a swimming pool was built in 1962. The library-Science Building was also constructed in 1962. It consists of a single-story library wing with a two-story classroom building serving the science program needs. In addition, a metal shop in addition to the original Agriculture Shop Building was completed in 1962. In 1969, a 7,079 square foot Auto Shop Building was constructed on the southeast corner of the existing campus. In 1987, the Pool Building was torn down due to massive rot in the structural members. In 1989, a new Pool Building was constructed, which was attached to the Gym Building.

Several portions of the Puyallup High School campus have been modernized since the early 1970's. The Main Classroom Building was remodeled in 1971. In 1986, the Library-Science Building was modernized and in I 984 the Gym Building was remodeled. The Main Classroom Building was again completely modernized in 1995. The project architect was Burr Lawrence Rising+ Bates of Tacoma, Washington, and the general contractor was Absher Construction Company of Puyallup, Washington. This remodel was a state project matched with local funding coming from the 1991 Bond Issue.

A one-story building addition known as Phase I of the Puyallup High School Master Plan was completed prior to the 2009-2010 school year. The PHS Phase I construction is the last major project part of the 2004 Bond Program to be completed. It included relocating the Career and Technical Education classrooms and tennis courts along with the new softball field. The Library Science Building was permanently closed in June of 2023.