Facilities & Housing
To keep it simple: Tahoma's enrollment is growing. Families are moving to South King Co. at a higher rate than neighboring metro school districts, and a professional demographer projects significant enrollment growth by 2031. The City of Maple Valley is also planning for growth, with up to 1,700 new housing units allowed by 2044 to adhere to Washington state's Growth Management Act. We are focused on finding solutions to ensure we have the space to accommodate, or “house,” the students we serve. Providing adequate student housing involves much more than having enough chairs, desks and square footage for students and staff. It means that our facilities allow for the space and the experiences that students need to be successful. It also means that our facilities are accessible for every student, and that our schools are safe and secure so our students and staff can focus on quality education.
Bond Advisory Committee
A Bond Advisory Committee (BAC) of parents, students, staff and community partners began meeting in early 2023 to synthesize the research and decision-making accomplished by a District Housing Committee, Safety & Security Audit Review Committee, Ad Hoc Budget Committee and other working groups. The BAC is exploring a number of facilities proposals that the Housing Committee completed with a professional architect in 2022, and the BAC is currently exploring options for a potential bond proposal that could be brought to the school board.
Safety & Security
In September 2022, R&C Management Group, LLC conducted a safety audit for all Tahoma buildings, assessing each property for crime-based risk. A new Safety & Security committee partnered to prioritize which findings the district should address first. The committee also examined specific district security practices and discussing potential changes.
R&C Management Security Audit
R&C Management's safety audit provided considerations for security enhancements at all district schools. The audit process included in-depth examinations of all schools, as well as Central Services and our Transportation facilities. Scott Rose, who conducted a similar audit for the district in 2015, shared an overview of his findings with the Tahoma School Board and district officials in fall 2022.
WATCH Oct. 25, 2022 School Board meeting recording (Safety & Security audit presentation begins at 25:45)
Safety & Security Audit Review Committee
A stakeholder committee including student, staff, parent, and community partner representation was tasked with analyzing R&C Management's audit report. The group reviewed and ranked the considerations based on which they believe are most important for the district to address first. The committee also reviewed some specific district security procedures and had in-depth conversations about potential changes. The group completed their work and brought their findings to the Tahoma School Board on Tuesday, Jan. 24. LEARN MORE.
WATCH Jan. 24 School Board meeting recording (Safety & Security committee presentation begins at 14:15)
Citizens Housing Advisory Committee
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a stakeholder committee of students, staff, parents, and community partners gathered to begin evaluating our existing spaces and to develop a set of potential short- and long-term housing solutions for the district. The group's work was paused in 2020, and they reconvened in the 2021-22 school year to engage an architect around their possible solutions. The committee has not brought recommendations to the School Board, though their initial findings acted as an important springboard for Tahoma 100.