The task force looking at facilities needs for the Methow Valley School District has reconvened for the first time since the summer and is reviewing the status of buildings, athletic fields and school buses.
Last year the task force recommended putting two levies — $4.5 million for facilities improvements and $800,000 for transportation — to voters, but the school board postponed the election to be sensitive to economic and emotional needs of the community after the Carlton Complex Fire.
The task force — more than 25 people, including some new members — met Monday (Jan. 26) to review their former recommendations and see if any needs have changed, according to task force co-chair Sarah Brooks. The group includes staff, students and community members.
The district was able to use some of the $56,000 it received for use of the campus as a fire camp this summer to repair the heaters in the Cub gym and to address other small issues, said Methow Valley School District Superintendent Tom Venable.
The task force is meeting again next week to look in more detail at facilities at all three schools. “I think of it more as a pause button—we’re not completely starting from scratch,” said Brooks.
The group will put together an informational mailing for all voters in the school district, which will be sent out in February. They also plan a public meeting to solicit feedback before making a final decision.
The task force’s goal is to make a recommendation to the school board directors by early March about the most urgent repairs and upgrades. The recommendation would also include a decision about the type of funding they would ask voters to support — either a bond or a levy. The earliest possible election would be April 28.
