'Transformation in store for schools of WUSD'
Copyright News-Ledger, Aug. 8, 2007
Sweeping changes, led by a move towards 'K-8' schools, are planned for virtually every campus in the school district. A new school bond is planned to pay for many of them.
By Steve Marschke
News-Ledger Editor
West Sacramentans will be asked to vote for a $59 million school bond on November 6. How does the Washington Unified School District plan to spend that money?
Steve Lawrence, superintendent of the Washington Unified School District, told the News-Ledger last week that the district is working with Stafford King Wiese Architects and Turner Construction to make sure that $59 million will pay for the projects they hope to accomplish. About two thirds of the proceeds will be earmarked for costs related to the planned conversion of a number of elementary schools from kindergarten-through-sixth grade schools to “K-8” schools.
“The goal is to move our elementary schools to being neighborhood K-8 schools,” said Lawrence. “The (elementary) schools would each be equipped with science labs, computer labs and more classrooms so they would have the facilities to be powerful K-8 programs. Bridgeway Island, Southport, Westmore Oaks and Elkhorn (elementaries) would all get the additional classrooms, computer labs and science labs. In order to create equity between the north and south, the northern schools (Westmore Oaks and Elkhorn) would also get a new library/multimedia center and multipurpose/gymnasium as well.”
Westfield and Evergreen Elementary are slated for new library/multimedia centers.
“We’re also planning to upgrade Golden State Middle School so it would meet the K-8 needs there,” he added. “If we’re fortunate and the community supports the bond, Alyce Norman and Bryte (elementary schools) would combine and go to the Golden State Middle School campus together.” Bryte Elementary will be enhanced to house full-day preschool and kindergarten classes for local families.
“We’re looking at about $42 million” for all that, said Lawrence.
Another $9-10 million from the bond would go to build the performing arts center at the new high school, he said. That center was separated out from the rest of the high school as the school’s construction costs escalated. The new high school near Jefferson Boulevard and Linden Road is slated to open by winter of the 2008-09 school year – or possibly at the beginning of that school year, if weather conditions allow for speedy construction. On Sept. 5 of this year, the district will celebrate placement of the last piece of structural steel at the site with a “topping off” ceremony.
“By the end of November 2007, when we go into the west season, we’ll have a real good idea where we are and whether or not we can anticipate starting the 2008 school year in the new high school facility.”
If the buildings all have roofs before the rain hits, he explained, then builders can work on the interiors during the winter – a good sign that the school will be finished on time or even early.
When the new high school opens, the current River City High School campus will probably house the new “West Sacramento Early College Prep Charter School” and become the center for “CTE,” or career technical education.
“We plan about $7 million to enhance CTE facilities at the current River City High School facility,” explained Lawrence. “The students would still take their core classes at their usual facility (the main high school, alternative high school or other programs). They’d probably take CTE classes for a two or three-hour block of time at the current River City facility.”
Those vocational classes might focus on industries such as health or construction, and may include partnerships with Sacramento City College, trade associations, construction firms and the health industry. The campus might be available for adult education in the evening hours.
Yolo High School, the alternative high school, may move across the street to the former Evergreen Elementary School site.
The new Stonegate Elementary School “will be open for school on August 22,” Lawrence reported.