Below are frequently asked questions we have received. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us at communications@meridian.wednet.edu.

Meridian Middle School

Addressing overcrowding at Irene Reither Elementary:

Aside from the physical condition of the building, our community is growing. Meridian Middle School is designed for 380 students. By 2030, projected enrollment is 500. This growth is happening everywhere in our district. Irene Reither Elementary School (IRE) was designed for 506 students and the Ten Mile building has a capacity of 220. Between the two buildings in 2024, there were 750 students. Based on enrollment projects, by 2028, over 1,000 students could attend IRE. More information about enrollment projections (page 5).

The study and survey recommended either an expansion of the Ten Mile building or build a new elementary school to accommodate the growth. However, the cost of each project in addition to a new middle school would surpass our overall bond capacity for our district. Because of this, the task force see this as a possible solution to alleviate overcrowding at IRE. The task force recommended a new elementary school as part of long-term planning for the district to be added to a future bond (10+ years).

Middle schools are designed to guide students through the transition from childhood to adolescence. According to the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE), middle schools best suit ages 10 to 15, which aligns with a proposed grade range. If we introduce 5th graders to middle school a year earlier than we currently do, it can aid in a more seamless transition into adolescence. This early entry allows students to cultivate vital social and emotional skills like resilience, empathy, and conflict resolution, all within a nurturing environment led by experienced educators who specialize in working with adolescents. This change could create a more balanced K-12 experience, allowing students to spend a similar number of years in each building. It would also reduce capacity issues related to parking, drop-offs, pick-ups, and classroom overcrowding at the elementary level by moving approximately 160 students to the middle school campus.

If the bond is approved, a design committee would be formed and participation from staff, families, students and community members would be sought.

Surprisingly, no. When the Facilities Task Force reviewed the study and survey in 2023, the estimated cost to build a new middle school (6-8) was $71.194 million and the cost to renovate/modernize the middle school was estimated to cost $71.235 million. Because of this the task force chose to recommend new construction. The new middle school would be built on the same property (Supplemental Documentation, page 16).  In 2023, the cost to expand a new middle school to include fifth grade was estimated be $5.4 million (Oct. 2 presentation slide 4).

Updated construction costs amounts are on our bond webpage. 

Additionally, if the building were to be renovated, instruction would be disrupted by the noise and other logistical considerations during the time that construction would be occurring.

 

The new middle school would be built on the same property as the current Meridian Middle School. The school would be built in the west field. The east field along Hannegan Road would be athletic fields. A draft site plan is included in the Long Range Educational and Facilities Plan on page 15.

Yes, as with any new construction it would be built with all legally required safety and accessibility standards and codes. A core value of Our Commitments is belonging. We want all of our students, staff and visitors to feel welcome and to access our schools without barriers.

Middle schools are designed to guide students through the transition from childhood to adolescence. According to the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE), middle schools best suit ages 10 to 15, which aligns with a proposed grade range. Specific fifth grade programming at the middle school could be determined with guidance from the community and research into best practices.

If we introduce fifth graders to middle school a year earlier than we currently do, it can aid in a more seamless transition into adolescence. This early entry allows students to cultivate vital social and emotional skills like resilience, empathy, and conflict resolution, all within a nurturing environment led by experienced educators who specialize in working with adolescents. 

Our middle school offers a wider range of extracurricular activities, elective courses, and special programs compared to what is available at the elementary level. Including fifth graders in middle school can introduce them to a broader array of educational experiences and interests. This change could create a more balanced K-12 experience, allowing students to spend a similar number of years in each building. 

It would also reduce capacity issues related to parking, drop-offs, pick-ups, and classroom overcrowding at the elementary level by moving approximately 160 students to the middle school campus.

Watch the 5-8 recommendation video to learn more. 

During the design phase of construction all options will be explored. One cost saving option that could be explored is incorporating the existing large gym that was constructed in 2002 into the new facility.

Other Questions

At the time that Irene Reither Elementary was built, per requirements of the state funding, the school could only be designed to exceed 10 percent of current enrollment. This meant we quickly ran out of space at IRE as our community continued to grow.

The plan is to run the bond in November 2024. If the bond fails, we will want to gain community feedback and adjust before running a bond again. Every time you go out for a bond there is a cost associated with it, that is why we had a comprehensive process which included community feedback prior to presenting the bond. 

 

In education, “levies are for learning, and bonds are for building.” Levies fund educational programs and services not fully covered by the state, bridging a critical funding gap. They are short-term (2, 4 or 6 years) and need a 50% voter approval. In Meridian, levies make up nearly 20% of the budget, with two active collections. Bonds fund building-related expenses like modernization and new construction. They can only be used as voted on. They have longer terms (10 to 40 years) and require a 60% supermajority to pass. Meridian has one active bond repayment which expires in 2030. Bonds and levies are two separates funds and cannot be used interchangeably.

Learn more about the difference by watching this video “Growing Education: What’s the Difference Between a Levy and a Bond?”

 

If approved by voters, the tax rate would increase by $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed value. With the existing levies and the previous 2010 bond the estimated total school district combined bond and levy rate is $4.35 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Voters approve the bond amount. The amount each taxpayer pays is based on their home’s assessed value. If your home’s value increases or decreases, the amount you owe could change, but the bond amount for the community as a whole remains fixed.

Bond Graphic

Meridian has reduced tax collection by $1,123,487 through this bond refinancing in the past 10 years. It is very similar to home loan refinancing, if current interest rates are lower than the existing bond coupon rates then a municipal entity has the opportunity, but not the obligation to refinance bonds at tax exempt interest rates.

Some of the bonds were refinanced when rates reduced in 2016, but since each year has a different bond coupon rate, not all bonds could save taxpayers money. During COVID rates plummeted, and Meridian refinanced the remainder of the bonds.

The savings from refinancing the bonds don’t go to the district itself. Instead, they directly reduce the taxes that taxpayers have to pay. In other words, by refinancing the bonds, Meridian was able to lower the tax amount collected by $1,123,487.

More detail is explained in the visual below.

Bond refinancing graphic

We have one currently active bond repayment, and two currently active levy collections:

    • 2010 Bond
      • Built new MHS campus and new IRE campus
      • Will be paid off in 2030
      • Current Rate = $0.52 / $1,000 assessed value (original rate was $0.95 / $1,000)
    • 2024 Technology Levy
      • Replaced 2020 Technology Levy
      • Funds Chromebooks, classroom presentation devices, technology staff
      • Current rate = $0.38 / $1,000 assessed value
    • 2024 EP&O Levy
      • Replaced 2020 EP&O Levy
      • Funds maintenance, operations and other costs not fully funded by state tax dollars
      • Current rate = $2.10 / $1,000 of assessed value

While fundraising might work for smaller projects, it is not feasible for large-scale projects like building a new middle school. Additionally, state regulations limit how much we can save in our general fund, preventing us from accumulating the necessary funds over time. In Washington State, bonds are the mechanism provided by the legislature for communities to finance new school construction.

The early learning center and skills center are not part of any bond effort and are not funded by local or state school taxes. These centers will serve students throughout the region. The early learning center will be built where the current District Office is, requiring staff relocation. A new District Office with classrooms for the skills center, also state-funded, may be operational next year. These funds cannot be used for the Meridian Middle School project.

New school facilities improve learning by optimizing lighting, acoustics, and air quality, supporting diverse teaching styles, and incorporating advanced technology and safety features. They provide appropriate spaces for STEM, arts, athletics and Special Education, boosting morale and engagement. Investing in modern facilities ensures students and educators have the resources they need to succeed.

The state collects property tax in school state tax 1 and 2. These are not controlled or collected by school districts. The state reallocates this money to fund operational costs of school districts based on formulas calculated by the legislature in relation to school district enrollment and need.

The district bond leads are:

  • Dr. James Everett, Superintendent, (360-318-2151)
  • Lisa Gilchrist, Director of Public Relations, (360-318-2159)
  • Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal, (360-318-2281)
  • Jay Yeager, Director of Maintenance and Project Management, (360-318-2156)

You can also speak to our school principals or talk to a member of the Facilities Task Force. 

Bond 2025

Facilities Task Force