The taxpayer dollars requested through the Capital Improvement Bond going to Chelan County voters on Feb. 11 from the Wenatchee School District will have little effect on Wenatchee High School as the phase one. The proposed $66.5 million projects do not include improvements to WHS.

The school district has put WHS on phase two of the bond, which would still require voter approval. Phase two is currently projected to go to voters in 2017.

“One thing we do know is there will be windows in the high school when phase two passes,”  Superintendent Brian Flones said.

Improvements in the district that WHS students would notice right away are new grandstands at the Apple Bowl as part of Pioneer’s gym upgrade in phase one. The seating section is deemed structurally sound but does not meet current safety, Americans with Disabilities Act, or earthquake codes. If voters approve the bond, this project could be completed by Sept. 2016.

Once construction would begin at Lincoln and Washington, current portables in use by those schools could become temporary classrooms at WHS in order to prepare for the round of construction that could come if phase two gets approved. The portables would alleviate crowding at WHS for the time being and later would be used to house students while different wings of WHS underwent renovation.

“Wenatchee High School needs to be the next priority that we take on,” Flones said.

Lincoln and Washington elementaries have been deemed top priorities throughout the district by a Facilities Committee, chaired by local businessman John McQuaig. Parents, school leaders and citizens are all members of the committee.

Upgrades to the Special Education and Early Childhood Learning Center, the Pioneer Middle School gym and the Mission View Elementary parking lot are all included in phase one.
“We’re letting people know that we have a long range plan, and that [phase one projects] are not the only facility needs that we have in the school district,” Flones said.