Sometimes, even the hardest workers deserve retirement. At Kalles Junior High, our trusty boilers, nicknamed Larry, Curly, and Moe, have been warming classrooms and hallways for decades. But over Thanksgiving break, we had to say goodbye to Larry and Curly, who officially reached the end of their long, hardworking lives. That left Moe, the lone boiler, to hold down the fort and keep everyone cozy from December through early January.
And Moe did a fantastic job—heating the entire building solo is no small feat! But even heroes need backup. This week, our incredible crew from McKinstry swooped in to install two brand-new boilers! These reinforcements will lighten Moe’s load and ensure that students and staff enjoy a reliable and toasty warm start to the new year.
We’re also committed to making the most of Moe’s remaining life, supporting him as part of our upgraded heating system.
A huge shoutout to the Capital Projects Team and McKinstry for their quick response and hard work. We had new boilers on-site and fully installed in just under a month—a remarkable feat! While this wasn’t a planned Capital Levy project, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing maintenance needs for aging systems. Thanks to the voter-approved 2024 Capital Levy, we’re better equipped to tackle similar challenges in the future.
Here’s to staying warm and cozy at Kalles Junior High—Larry and Curly would be proud!
Long-term planning:
On February 11, 2025, voters in the Puyallup School District will vote on Proposition 1, an $800M bond measure, that would maintain the current tax rate of $4.14 per $1,000 of assessed property value through a capital levy rollback, meaning homeowners would not face any increase in their property taxes. This would allow the district to address immediate infrastructure needs without an additional tax burden. Proposition 1 would span 21 years, prioritizing expanding high school capacity and replacing outdated elementary schools.