Second Meeting of the Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) Explores Growth and Needs in the Puyallup School District’s Region 1, Including Sunrise Development

The Puyallup School District's Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) recently held its second meeting to assess key issues related to regional growth and the district’s infrastructure needs. The session focused on Region 1, encompassing the Emerald Ridge High School catchment area, where rapid housing development and rising student enrollment have heightened the urgency for expanded educational facilities.

Understanding the Role of the BAC

The BAC is charged with a critical role in shaping the district’s bond proposal, which aims to address current and future infrastructure needs. Their work involves selecting from high-priority projects identified in earlier reports, including the 2021 Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) and the 2024 School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) reports. The committee’s task is to recommend a bond package to the Puyallup School Board that balances community needs with financial viability.

By November 18, 2024, the BAC must submit its recommendation for the bond scope and financing plan to the superintendent and school board for a potential bond issue election on February 11, 2025. The committee also provides updates and assists with public forums, ensuring transparency throughout the process.

Region 1: Schools and Development Pressures

Region 1 includes Emerald Ridge High School, Glacier View Junior High, Ferrucci Junior High, and multiple elementary schools—Edgerton, Pope, Hunt, Ridgecrest, Sunrise, and Wildwood. This area is experiencing rapid population growth, driven by extensive residential developments like the Sunrise Master Planned Community.

Sunrise Area Development and Its Impact

The Sunrise development, a large-scale planned community located within the Puyallup School District, is one of the main drivers of student population growth in region 1. The Sunrise Master Plan includes the construction of over 5,200 housing units, making it a major factor in the district's projected enrollment increases. As of September 2024, 3,203 housing units were occupied, with 1,006 more units expected to be completed soon.

The Puyallup School District typically anticipates about 65 students for every 100 new single-family detached homes constructed. However, as the state prioritizes multifamily housing to bridge the middle-housing gap, we're witnessing a significant increase in planned multi-housing development. Historically, these projects could yield around 20 students per development; however, with the introduction of additional two- and three-bedroom units, we are beginning to see a rise in student enrollment stemming from these housing projects. This trend has sparked curiosity among community members regarding whether we will observe a substantial uptick in student numbers as more units become available. There is also an important consideration regarding the stability of these enrollment figures. Many multi-home units tend to be rental properties, which could lead to shorter student retention rates within the district, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of these numbers. In the Sunrise community, located in the South Hill area and adjacent to the rapidly expanding communities of Graham and Orting, we are seeing similar patterns emerge as new housing developments spring up. The design of the Sunrise community includes a diverse array of housing types, from single-family homes to multifamily dwellings, effectively attracting a broad spectrum of residents, particularly young families. As more homes are constructed and occupied, the pressure on school capacity continues to grow, This increased demand emphasizes the need for careful planning and resource allocation to ensure we can accommodate the rising number of students while maintaining the quality of education our district is known for. The collaboration between the school district and local developers will be crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring that the educational needs of our community are met.

The Puyallup School District coordinates with local permitting jurisdictions, builders, and developers to track new housing projects in our area.  This work begins at the initial permitting stages, typically years in advance of building construction activity.  The new housing data, together with other factors such as birth rates and demographic trends, help the district anticipate where additional school facilities will be needed to serve our growing community.

Beyond the Puyallup School District, neighboring developments in the Orting School District, such as Tahoma Lookout, Sunrise Heights, and the Uplands Planned Development District (PDD), are also projects the district is tracking. Although these developments are outside of Puyallup’s boundary, they may impact enrollment in nearby schools due to limited direct routes to Orting-area schools resulting in long commute times for neighboring students.

Enrollment Growth and School Capacity Challenges

Emerald Ridge High School opened in 2000 and already operates beyond its intended capacity. The permanent building can serve approximately 1,230 students, and the current enrollment stands at 1,558, with the use of temporary portable classrooms. , Projections indicate an increase to 1,751 students by the 2031-32 school year. This creates a capacity shortfall of more than 500 students, necessitating both temporary and long-term solutions to manage overcrowding without factoring in the possibility of students waivering in the district from the Uplands or other communities adjacent but outside of the Puyallup School District boundary.

The decision regarding the capacity of Elementary 24 has sparked considerable debate among committee members, who are eager to understand the rationale behind the choice to build a school with a capacity of 750 students, as opposed to 1,000,similar to Dessie Evans. They are weighing the long-term implications of this decision, considering both the potential need for space to accommodate future growth and the financial trade-offs involved. A larger investment in a 1,000-student school could lead to underutilized classrooms, while opting for a 750-student facility might necessitate the addition of portable classrooms within the next 10 to 20 years, depending on regional growth patterns.

At the elementary level, schools like Edgerton and Pope are experiencing similar pressures. The BAC has recognized the urgent need for a new elementary school in the Sunrise area, proposing a facility with a capacity for 750 students. This new school, referred to as Elementary 24, aims to alleviate overcrowding at Edgerton, Pope, Hunt, and Ridgecrest Elementary and accommodate the anticipated population growth driven by ongoing residential development.

Proposed Projects for Region 1

To address these capacity issues, the BAC is considering several key projects from the CFAC’s recommendations:

• Emerald Ridge High School Update: A $109.9 million project to expand and update facilities at Emerald Ridge High School, ensuring the school can accommodate the projected increase in student enrollment.
• Expansion at Glacier View Junior High: This project focuses on adding classroom spaces and expanding student capacity to meet the growing demand in Region 1.
• New Elementary School (Elementary 24): A school designed to accommodate a potential range of 550 to 1,000 students strategically located near the Sunrise community to alleviate overcrowding at existing elementary schools, particularly Edgerton Elementary.
   

“Navigating the future of our educational environment requires us to evaluate both our internal resources and the external landscape thoughtfully. As we face challenging options ahead, it is imperative that we right-size our buildings to meet the evolving needs of our community and ensure a conducive learning atmosphere for all." Brady Martin, Director of Capital Projects

Community Input and Next Steps

Throughout the meeting, BAC members engaged in table discussions to assess and prioritize these projects based on the district’s most pressing needs, including reducing overcrowding and maintaining the quality of educational programs. With continued population growth expected, particularly in areas like Sunrise, the committee is committed to identifying solutions that ensure the district’s schools can effectively serve their students.

The BAC invites parents, guardians, and community members to participate in this important process. Over the next several weeks, the committee will share updates and a “Question of the Week” through platforms such as PeachJar and the district’s digital family newsletter. These questions offer opportunities for the community to provide input on the bond proposal and its potential impact on schools across the district.

Community members are encouraged to visit the Bond Advisory Committee's webpage at PuyallupSD.org/BAC to stay informed and contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of the Puyallup School District.

Your feedback is essential as we plan for the future of our schools and ensure they meet the needs of our growing community.