September%2011_2024_Superintendent%E2%80%99s%20Report.pdf

Parent document: Regular Board Meeting-09-11-2024.pdf

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Superintendent's Report

Meridian School District
September 11, 2024, Regular Board Meeting

Dr. James Everett

MERIDIAN
SCHOOL
, DISTRICT
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Breakfast & Kickoft

» Staff learning days on August 26-28 — Preparations across the district.

» Laurel Church hosted the entire district for a breakfast on August 28
— We are extremely grateful for the positive sentiment and strong message of
support!

» The kickoff presentation shared a message of customer service and
commitment to ensuring we are serving our students unreasonably.



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A Fantastic Start!

» All buildings reported they had a positive start to the school year.

» Transportation operated without any issues. Smiles and excitement
everywhere!

>» Enrollment details...



2024-25
A Fantastic Start!

» Open Houses
— IRE Open House, August 28"
— MHS Freshman Orientation, August 21**
— MMS Open House, August 27"
— MP3 Open House, September 4"

> Irene Reither Elementary Conferences
— August 29 and September 3-5

> MMS & MHS Conferences

— September 10-12, early dismissal



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NCTA Open Doors at Meridian

» Starting this year with .5 program to a. : —
expand to 1.0, or two sessions daily 57 EMPOWERING OUR

» Students aged 16-21 who are not
on-track to graduate and behind
in credits may still obtain a diploma
through Open Doors at Meridian.

» This program is guided by NCTA
leadership and will serve students in MSD and other
Whatcom County students

>» Dr. Terri Wattawa is our new instructor



MERIDIAN
SCHOOL
November 5 Capital Bond

» Replace Meridian Middle School with grades 5-8

— There is no rebar in the current Meridian Middle School, the design
is difficult to keep secure, increase accessibility, update safety
measures and create space for increased students. This design
creates additional space at Irene Reither Elementary.

>» Improvements at MHS to the stadium

— Repair stadium support beams and replace light poles and lighting
system as they are at the end of their life.

— Shift the music classroom into the campus for space and safety.

— Repair the Performing Arts Center roof and brick mortar and install
a generator for weather events.

» Community Presentation Bond Projects & Finance
— Meridian Middle School, 6:00 pm



MERIDIAN
SCHOOL
‘DISTRICT

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November 5 Capital Bond

Build a New
Meridian Middle School (5-8)

Originally constructed in 1938, Meridian Middle Schoo! is no longer able to
keep up with today's safety standards and the needs of modern education.
The school faces safety challenges including unconnected buildings,
exterior entrances, and non-reinforced concrete walls which lack rebar. A
new school would comply with modern safety codes, including seismic
requirements, and meet accessibility standards creating a safer space.
Energy-efficiency would be built into the design, ensuring comfortable
classrooms year-round that would improve student focus and learning.

Cost: $86.92 million Oe {
State match: -$16 millian 7 3
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Bond Cost: $70.92 million a
Numbers for cost and state match are estimates. (OE 6th
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Timeline
Estimated timeline, if band is approved by voters.
Election Design Construction School Opens
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Now. 5, 2024 Dec. 2024- April 2026- Fall 20278

Jan. 2026 Aug. 2028



DISTRICT

November 5 Capital Bond

MHS Performing MHS New MHS Stadium ;
Arts Center Generator Lighting and Repairs
Lighting installed in 1987

Beyond useful life expectancy
Some light fixtures do not work

e Built in 1991 ® Emergency power for the

« Needs anew roof office, library, main building,

| Masonry in need of CTE building, north gym and
repainting and resealing locker rooms during Poles are leaning and rotting
Move music room to old outages Existing stadium structure has
cafeteria to create closed « Provide emergency power rotting beams
campus to prevent freezing pipes « New roof needed

Bond Cost: $2.18 million Bond Cost: $400,000 Bond Cost: $1.50 million

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SWUM aceiciai’ scnoar pisvacr www.meridian.wednet.edu/bond/



MERIDIAN

November 5 Capital Bond

one io : Bond Webpage

Our Community is Growing

Our growing community means our school enrollment is increasing.
Meridian Middle School, currently designed for 380 students, will need

to accommodate nearly 500 by 2030. lrene Reither Elementary, with over Learn More
750 students, is projected to exceed 1,000 by 2028. To address this, we Looking for more information?
would construct a new middle school for grades 5-8. Visit our website at

www. meridian.wednet.edu/bond/

These pprieaen, previouely mead I Reither Bermentary Enroll t Projecti ll 360-398-7111
= : rene Her rEementary Enrainnient Ions
when Meridian Middle School ¥ ee ore :

housed fifth graders from 1976- = 1200 *

1991, balances the K-12 1000 ; i a - i it t t 1069

experiance and relieves suas How to Vote
overcrowding at IRE. If voters 600 (foo Voters within Meridian School
approve the bond, a design 400 District will receive a ballot in the
committee will involve families, mail in October to vote on the bond.
students, staff, and community ° oO th db dy nh ro fo th nb Ballots must be mailed and
members in the process. ae oP BT PT RY oP" PT aT oP postmarked, or retumed to a drop
box by 8 p.m. Nov. 5, 7074. Drop
Bond Cost box locations can be found on the
; ; ; Whatcom County Auditor's website.
“All amounts are estimates for at the time of construction.
Meridian Middle School (5-8) $86.92 million ;
Estimated State Match -$16 million Tax Exempt ons
Some senior citizens and people
Performing Arts Center $2.18 million with disabilities may be eligible for
Stadium and Lighting $1.50 million property tax exemptions, visit:
MHS Generator $400,000 whatcomcounty.us/177/Assessor or

call 360-778-5050 to learn more.

Total Bond Amount $75 million



MERIDIAN
SCHOOL
DISTRICT

November 5 Capital Bond

Financial Impact

The total bond cost of the projects is $75 million, if approved by

voters, the tax rate would increase by $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed
value (See graphic right for example)

Total ail
EPEO | Tech 2024 oe
Lewy | Levy Bond =| 9990,000
$63.25/month
50.38

Rate*
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school district comoverd ford and heyy rate per

f ddedaed value

MERIDIAN LfOFMONS irl ea rlere 5 ,
GWU sccsciss’ceucoe octamer www.meridian.wednet.edu/bond/



MERIDIAN
SCHOOL
Events & Presentations

» Whatcom Community College Meeting, Aug. 21

— Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown, President

» Whatcom Blue Schools Summit Convening, Aug. 29
— Squalicum Boat House — Maritime Industry

» Lynden School Board Meeting, Sept. 5

- Whatcom County Skills Center Presentation

» Cordata Neighborhood Block Party, Sept. 8

-— MSD presence w/ resources for families

» Community Presentation Bond Projects & Finance, Sept. 24
— Meridian Middle School, 6:00pm



MERIDIAN
SCHOOL

Cordata Neighborhood Block Part



Upcoming Dates of Importance
» September 27 — NCCE Board Mtg., Coeur d’Alene
» October 4 — First Waiver Day
» October 17-19 —Al Conference, Spokane
» October 21-22 — WSRMP Board Mtg., SeaTac

>» October 23-25 — P3 Institute, Vail, Colorado