Waller Road Elementary: Critical Upgrades Needed to Support Future Learning

Waller Road Elementary School, the only school in the Puyallup School District located on the Puyallup Tribe of Indians reservation, has been identified by the Bond Advisory Committee—composed of citizens, students, and staff—as in critical need of replacement. Included on the April 22 ballot, Proposition 1 proposes replacing the school to expand its capacity to 400 students and provide essential site upgrades.

The school, which serves grades PK-6, has been a fixture in the community for over a century. The current building, constructed in 1935, with additions in 1953 and 1960, has become outdated, with the last modernization taking place nearly 40 years ago in 1985. Waller Road Elementary has numerous challenges: inadequate library, cafeteria, and gym spaces, outdated special education facilities, insufficient offices and meeting spaces, and aging infrastructure. The school's reliance on eight portables and poorly designed office and parking areas only highlights the urgent need for upgrades.

"The school was built in a different time, and while it has served our community well, it is no longer able to meet the needs of our growing student population," said Brady Martin, Director of Capital Projects. "Proposition 1 will replace the current building, expand the school's facilities, and modernize the infrastructure, ensuring that students and staff have a safe, secure, and efficient environment."

The new Waller Road Elementary building replacement will help alleviate overcrowding by expanding capacity to accommodate current enrollment and future growth. The updated, modern facilities will enhance safety and security, with improvements to parking and traffic circulation for better accessibility. These changes will eliminate the need for parents to drive through the playground area for student drop-off and pick-up, creating a safer environment for everyone.

A study conducted in 2021, as part of the Puyallup School District’s long-term planning, rated Waller Road Elementary’s building condition as “Poor,” with a score of just 40.5 out of 100. The survey also noted the addition of four portables on the site, further underscoring the need for an upgraded school.

Current enrollment at Waller Road exceeds the school’s capacity, with 323 students enrolled in 2024-2025, despite the school’s stated capacity of 238. The forecast for the 2025-2026 school year shows continued enrollment growth, further stressing the need for expansion.

"Our current facilities, built decades ago, are no longer able to support the needs of our students or staff. With the proposed facility replacement, we can provide equitable access to the resources necessary for success,” states John Huson, Principal, Waller Road Elementary. "A new, updated school will help us better engage our students, support their educational journeys, and prepare them for a bright future."

The proposal comes at a critical time for the school and the district, as the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) has discussed potential school closures if the April 2025 bond measure does not pass. If the bond measure fails, the task force will assess the potential impacts of closures of Waller Road and Spinning Elementary Schools and present a report to the Puyallup School Board in January 2026

Waller Road Elementary Building Timeline:

• 1913: Established as a one-room schoolhouse (Woodrow School)
• 1935: Renamed, incorporated into the PSD, the Main building constructed
• 1953-1960: Additions to the building
• 1985: Last major modernization
• 2025: Proposed replacement and expansion under Proposition 1

Community Involvement

For more than four years,  community members, including parents, residents, and building design and construction professionals, have participated in various advisory committees to evaluate the district's needs. These groups have provided input and guidance that helped shape Proposition 1, which reflects the community’s desire to expand school capacity, modernize facilities, and improve safety.

The district has also identified the need for additional funding to address overcrowding and aging buildings in the face of rapid enrollment growth. Replacing Waller Road Elementary is just one example of how the district plans to meet these challenges.

Potential School Closures if Bond Measure Fails

Should Proposition 1 fail, the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) will assess contingency plans regarding the future of Waller Road Elementary. SCUT will assess the potential impacts of closures of both Spinning and Waller Road Elementary Schools and present a report to the Puyallup School Board in January 2026.

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