Puyallup High School Expansion Included in April 22 Special Election Ballot

Puyallup voters will decide on Proposition 1 in the April 22 special election, which includes a proposal to expand Puyallup High School. The measure is part of a broader bond aimed at addressing critical facility needs across the district.

Puyallup High School, located on a small, thirteen-acre urban site in downtown Puyallup, is the district's smallest high school campus. Serving the community for over a century, PHS is challenged by overcrowding, aging facilities, and limited space for growth. The school currently exceeds its permanent capacity by more than 450 students, with enrollment expected to continue rising. To manage this demand, the district has had to rely on portable classrooms. There are currently 19 portable classrooms on the PHS campus.  Proposition 1 proposes a solution through the construction of a new three-story addition to replace the soon-to-be demolished Library Science Building, create additional classroom space, and expand the Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility, addressing the pressing need for modernization and increased capacity.

"Our goal at Puyallup High School is to provide every student with high-quality learning environments that support academic success," said Principal David Sunich. "The closure of the Library Science Building has further limited our already scarce classroom space,  impacting access to arts programs and science lab space. This proposed expansion will give students modern labs and access to programs and resources they need to thrive academically now and in the future."

The expansion project would be designed to serve up to 1,800 students and replace multiple outdated structures. The last major construction at Puyallup High School was the CTE building in 2009, while the main classroom building has not been modernized since 1995. Some sections of the PHS campus date back to 1927.

A 2021 facility assessment rated several buildings on campus as being in poor condition. The Gymnasium and Swimming Pool Building, as well as the Library Science Building, received some of the lowest scores in the evaluation, contributing to the district’s plan to modernize and expand existing facilities. The Library Science Building is scheduled for demolition in the summer of 2024 due to its deteriorating condition.

If approved, the expansion would aim to reduce overcrowding, decrease reliance on portable classrooms, and enhance learning spaces for science, chemistry, biology and the arts. The bond would also complete Phase II of the CTE building, adding additional floors to increase capacity.

“The need for this expansion goes beyond just adding more space—it’s about creating safe, permanent classrooms and reducing our reliance on portables," said Brady Martin, Director of Capital Projects. "Currently, over 450 students are using temporary classrooms, which are not ideal for fostering a productive learning environment. This expansion will provide our students with modern, permanent classroom spaces, improve safety, and address the ongoing challenges of overcrowding, ensuring PHS remains a place where students can thrive.”

Pilot Program for Road Closure Begins

On December 23, crews installed temporary gates on 7th Street NW between 2nd Avenue NW and West Main Street, marking the start of a one-year pilot program in collaboration with the City of Puyallup. This closure improves safety for students crossing the street during busy passing periods when traveling from the main building to the portable classrooms.

Emergency gates are now installed to allow immediate access to the campus for fire and emergency services.

Portable Classrooms Ready for Students

Three double-portable units are now ready to provide much-needed classroom space. Portable classrooms were added in response to the closure of the Library Science Building (LSB), deemed too costly to repair after over 60 years of service. This temporary solution alleviates overcrowding while working towards long-term solutions to address aging facilities and accommodate a growing student body.

The LSB’s closure highlights ongoing challenges at PHS, which include the struggle with outdated infrastructure and limited space. Initially built in 1927 and last modernized in 1995, the campus lacks sufficient science labs, parking, and athletic facilities to meet modern educational standards and provide support to the students, staff, and families of Puyallup High School.

Potential School Closures if Bond Measure Fails

A key recommendation of the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) focuses on contingency plans in the event that the April 2025 bond measure fails. If Spinning and Waller Road Elementary Schools were to close, the SCUT will assess the potential impacts on surrounding schools and present a comprehensive report to the Puyallup School Board by January 2026. This could significantly affect the capacity and enrollment at neighboring elementary schools and challenge our ability to effectively meet the needs of the growing community.

Be an Informed Voter

This is our second attempt at presenting Proposition 1 to voters. While the measure received more than the required 60% approval margin by voters in the February 11th special election, it did not meet the required 40% voter turnout for validation.

Voting on April 22 is critical, and every vote matters.

For more information on Proposition 1, visit the Puyallup School District website or attend an upcoming informational session. Http://www.puyallupsd.org/bond