First BEX VI Informational Meeting, Kinda Snoozy

It appears that the Superintendent left these BEX VI informational meetings in the hands of the Capital Projects people without any input from say, the Communications folks. 

There were three men seated at a black-draped table with laptops in front of them - Dr. Kurt Buttleman, Assistant Superintendent of Finance; Richard Best, head of Capital Projects and Assistant Superintendent of Technology and Optimization, Carlos Del Valle. I'm guessing because they were talking about money there was no smiling allowed.

I know Mr. Best and he's a pleasant and thoughtful person. However, I've seen more lively talk at a memorial service. 

There were 26 people there altogether, with probably 3-4 other SPS employees there. You could put in a question but there was no chat feature available for parents to talk.

They went over the basics:

- It's a renewal levy (but they didn't acknowledge that they are asking for $400M more).

- The program has existed since the first BEX was approved in 1995.

- They stated that the NE elementary school replacement is unknown until the closure list is given to the Board. They have already spent nearly $500K from BEX V on prepping to do Sacajawea but that funding is now frozen.

Well, the Board doesn't meet until next month so I suspect there may be a special meeting this Friday or on Monday. If not, then the Superintendent is just going to make a special announcement on his own and either let the Board find out that way OR inform them first and then make the announcement.

It was stated at this meeting that a closure announcement would be made at the end of the week.

- They stated that they would kept a historical section of Lowell and build new around it.

- They were asked about the money for "land acquisition" in BEX VI but said they were "building a fund for future purchases." They noted that they had built in money for Memorial Stadium in BEX V (as the city required for the project to go forward) but that was a specific use. They also used funds to buy a warehouse for storage.

- They were asked about the extra dollars being spent on Rainier Beach High School which is already undergoing a renovation. Turns out they didn't budget to fix up the performing arts center and the community asked for that. As well, they are putting in a turf field. So they are doing those items in BEX VI. 

As I previously stated, without a doubt, RBHS will be the most expensive renovation ever in Washington state. 

- They are replacing defibrillators at every school. 

- They stated that they had used three different firms to review the BEX VI planning. They truly needed three? I'll have to ask how much that cost. 

- They also stated they got input from the BEX Oversight Committee and Tech Advisory Committee. 

- On the Tech funding, it is now 90% paid out of BEX and funds 120 FTE.

Q&A 

- It was asked if a school appeared on the BEX list AND the closure list, what happens? Answer: That school would be taken off of BEX VI.

- A question was asked about how tech would be at schools and Mr. Del Valle said that there will be replacement equipment and AI resources.

- A question was asked about why the district didn't just put the figure in that they really want. It was explained that there is a levy lid and unless that changes, the district is at the max that is legal for right now.

- Why are there fewer projects? It was stated that costs have increased and inflation was at 8%. They said they are addressing safety concerns in most buildings. They also said there are changes in energy conservation from the state and city. He also mentioned that the city of Seattle is thinking of a unreinforced masonry act. The John Marshall site is being addressed because of that concern.

- Why pass levies if we don't know about school closures? Improvements are needed. As well, Capital Programs will be talking to the Board about what happens with closed buildings in terms of use. There was also a question about securing closed buildings because of what happened to Viewlands Elementary when it was closed (all of its copper wiring got stripped out by thieves). "We definitely need a plan but don't know what it looks like at this time." 

And they wanted to close 20 buildings at first but with no firm plan for their use or safety. 

- Memorial Stadium is due for construction in July of 2025 and reopening in Spring of 2027. 

- They were asked how to advocate in Olympia and the answer was "tell your personal stories to your legislators." Again, these are NOT the people to give that kind of information. 

- When asked about costs for renovation compared to regional districts, this is what was stated. They said their capital program has "an interest in academic programs and the buildings responding to programs." They also said they do playground improvements. They have a focus on energy use and "we think we benefit operationally from that." They say they are using durable materials like masonry (this after saying the City was pondering a tax on that usage). 

Best also said they were building to 50-100 years.

First, given that the district is likely to change programs to cut the deficit, maybe building a school for a specific program isn't a good idea. 

Playground improvements WERE forced on them because the district used to ONLY redo a playground if it was part of a total renovation. PTAs were left to fundraise AND install new playgrounds on their own. 

Second, frankly, I think these projects are overdone and overmanaged. SPS pays a lot of money to outside contractors to manage these projects. It's a huge cost. I would say especially for elementary school buildings, they should have three plans and just pick one. 

Third, I do not believe any new school building today will last 50+ years. Best claims the roofs will last 30 years. Again, not buying it myself.