The forum was an opportunity to share and explain the Facilities Advisory Committee’s recommendation to build a new elementary school on the north side of Moses Lake, replacing North Elementary and Larson Heights Elementary. District leaders and committee members also listened to questions and feedback from the community to help inform next steps.

The recommendation is to construct one new elementary school on the current North Elementary site to serve students from both North Elementary and Larson Heights Elementary. This approach replaces two aging facilities with a single, modern school designed to meet current and future student needs.

Planning focuses on where student needs exist now and where long-term growth pressure is projected. Using an existing school site on the north side allows the district to responsibly use taxpayer resources, leverage existing infrastructure, and support long-range district planning.

The North Elementary site already has critical infrastructure in place, including roads, utilities, and emergency access. Building on an existing site reduces cost and risk and allows the district to qualify for State Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) funding, which would not be available for new sites without existing facilities.

Mae Valley was discussed as a future option, but it is not currently ready to support a school. Infrastructure upgrades would be required, city improvements are not planned in the near term, and building there would impact attendance boundaries across much of the district. In addition, a Mae Valley project would not qualify for SCAP funding, significantly limiting resources available for other school repairs and upgrades district-wide.

This approach allows the district to stretch bond dollars further by qualifying for state funding through SCAP. With SCAP, significantly more funding remains available for district-wide needs such as roofs, HVAC systems, safety upgrades, and other critical facility repairs. Without SCAP, those future projects would be much more limited.

Both North Elementary (built in 1951) and Larson Heights Elementary (built in 1956) face aging infrastructure challenges. Replacing both buildings with one new school allows for modern safety standards, more efficient layouts, and long-term sustainability, while also strengthening resources and opportunities for students.

Groff Elementary and this proposed project serve different geographic areas and needs. Districts must plan for multiple facility needs at the same time. Waiting to plan for north-side needs could increase costs and reduce available funding options, especially as both North and Larson Heights will require significant repairs if not replaced.

No decisions have been made to increase class sizes. School planning is based on projected enrollment, and the goal is to create right-sized classrooms with flexibility to meet student needs now and in the future.

Staffing decisions are not being made at this stage. Schools are staffed based on student needs, and any future staffing processes would follow established district procedures and applicable labor agreements. Maintaining stability for students remains a priority.

Attendance boundaries are not being decided at this time. If boundary changes are considered in the future, the district would follow the appropriate process, include community engagement, and communicate well in advance.

No final decisions have been made. Future use of the sites would consider safety, cost, and community impact. Options may include reuse, repurposing, sale, or demolition. Retention of the existing North Elementary gym is part of ongoing planning discussions.

The following items are not part of the current decision:

• School name

• Mascot or colors

• Attendance boundaries

• Principal or staffing assignments

• Final building design details

These items would follow established district processes and include future opportunities for community input.

Community feedback will continue to inform next steps, and the district remains committed to transparent communication as planning continues. Continue to follow the District’s social media and website for updates about future community forums.