Exploring School Capacity in Region 1: A Look into the Challenges and Solutions

A Look into the Challenges and Solutions 

As we enter mid-October, the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force has been hard at work, focusing its efforts on the Emerald Ridge catchment area in Region 1. This region encompasses a network of schools, including Emerald Ridge High School, Ferrucci Junior High, Glacier View Junior High, Edgerton Elementary, Hunt Elementary, Pope Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, Sunrise Elementary, and Wildwood Elementary. The information below will help provide the following:

• An in-depth look into the recent meeting and discussions of the task force.
• Highlighting the critical matters concerning school capacity.
• Potential growth for Region 1.
• The external factors that affect the Puyallup School District (PSD).

Understanding School Capacity 

Understanding the relationship between building capacity and enrollment is fundamental for effective and efficient educational planning, resource allocation, and ensuring a high-quality learning environment for students.

It is important to understand two key terms: building capacity and enrollment.

Permanent building capacity is the maximum number of students a school can hold without using temporary structures like portable classrooms. This is like the supply of educational resources.

Enrollment, on the other hand, is the actual number of students attending the school, which is like the demand for those resources.

Knowing the difference between these terms is crucial to planning resources effectively and for the long term. In Region 1, it is important to keep this in mind before focusing on the challenges of specific areas like the Emerald Ridge High School catchment area—enabling districts to adapt to changing circumstances, make informed decisions, and provide the best possible education for their communities.

Elementary Case Study 

During Thursday's meeting, the task force explored the complexities of managing school capacity by reviewing the Brouillet Elementary case study. Brouillet Elementary was one of the five prototype schools built in the early 1990s to serve up to 550 students. However, changes in educational programs, such as the shift to all-day kindergarten and K-3 class size reduction, significantly impacted the school's capacity over the years. Although the physical space of the original buildings has remained constant, our school’s ability to effectively serve students has changed, resulting in a reduction in capacity from 550 to 450 students in our five prototype schools. Due to the growing enrollment, portable classrooms were added to meet the need for additional classroom space.

• 1990-91 – Building opens with a 550-student capacity.
• 2016-17 – Change from half-day to full-day kindergarten reduces capacity to 500 students.
• 2018-19 – Districtwide K-3 class size reduction, reduces capacity to 450

Factors Driving Growth in Region 1 

Located in the South Hill area of Pierce County, Washington, the Sunrise Master Planned Community spans around 1,467 acres. Most homes fall within the Puyallup School District boundary, while a few neighborhoods are planned within the Orting School District boundary. As of October 2023, district staff estimate about 1,200 more housing units will be built and occupied within the Puyallup School District, with 992 more housing units proposed within the Orting School District. All Region 1 elementary schools are already over their permanent capacity and employing portables to support growth. To illustrate the expected impact, data compiled in November 2022 anticipates that 44% of the single-family homes planned within our district’s boundaries will fall within the Edgerton Elementary boundary area. (see sidebar)

Additionally, new communities within the Orting School District are in close proximity of Glacier View Junior High, Emerald Ridge High School, and the future new Elementary site located on 180th St E. Task Force members highlighted the potential impacts to PSD as no direct route to the valley exists from the new development. The Uplands project will result in future students/families commuting past PSD schools en route to Orting schools 20 minutes down the road, raising questions about potential waivers or boundary changes and adding complexity to crowded Region 1 schools. 

School Impact Fees 

To address the demands of new residential growth, the PSD collects school impact fees from various municipalities, including the City of Edgewood, the City of Puyallup, the City of Fife, and Pierce County. These fees are intended to support the construction of school facilities necessary due to new housing developments. However, these fees do not cover the full cost of building new facilities.  

School impact fees are one-time fees charged on new residential units and used to construct school facilities necessary to serve an increasing enrollment due to new development. However, the fees collected are not equivalent to the costs associated with building new facilities. The impact fee rates are determined by each local city/county council. Municipalities have different impact fees for single-family and multi-family residences and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

For example, the maximum fee obligation for a single-family detached residence in Pierce County is $4,440, Edgewood $3,500, Fife $3,588, and Puyallup $4,290.00. The most recent school impact fee calculation from the district’s Capital Facilities Plan shows nearly $32,000 is needed to fund 50% of the space needed for single-family detached housing. This large gap between what is needed vs. what the district is allowed to collect makes it a complex task to ensure that the costs of public school capital facilities needed for new growth are appropriately funded by school impact fees.

PSD School Impact Fee Rates
Jurisdiction	2023
	Single-Family	Multi-Family
Edgewood	$3,500	$2,000
Fife	$3,588	$2,839
Pierce County	$4,440	$2,355
Puyallup	$4,290	$4,290

Thursday's topics illuminated the complexities of managing school capacity, especially in Region 1 of the Puyallup School District. As residential growth continues to reshape the landscape, addressing challenges related to school capacity, transportation, and funding will remain at the forefront of the district's priorities. With continued collaboration and innovative solutions, the PSD provides high-quality learning environments while accommodating the evolving needs of its students and the community.

The task force will continue discussing Region 1 on October 26th and explore Region 2, the Rogers High School catchment area, in November.

To view presentation materials and stay up to date on the School Capacity and Utilization progress, visit http://www.puyallupsd.org/scut  

For more information, visit: 

• Feb. 13, 2024, Levy: http://www.puyallupsd.org/levy 
• Capital Budget: https://bit.ly/3KGR4Nb   

Sidebar

 

2022-2027 (5 YR) Singler-Family Detached Only – Planned Housing Units by Elementary Attendance