A Facilities Task Force has been meeting since June 2023 to recommend much needed facility improvements in Meridian School District. The task force, comprised of staff, families and community members, met monthly to learn more about the facilities needs of the district. After careful consideration, the task force is sharing their draft recommendation with the community for feedback. 

Please review the draft recommendation below. Then share your thoughts through this online survey by 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23. We also invite you to a presentation by the task force at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Meridian Middle School (861 Ten Mile Road, Lynden, WA). The task force will review their recommendation and provide an opportunity for questions. You can learn more about all of the projects on our website.

Draft Recommendation by the Facilities Task Force

Build a New Meridian Middle School

The task force unanimously recommends that a new Meridian Middle School be built. Meridian Middle School was built in 1938. Though it has been well maintained, signs of wear are evident throughout and expenses to maintain the school continue to grow. In addition, there are safety concerns. The exterior walls are constructed with non-reinforced concrete and the school is not to current seismic code. The campus consists of several unconnected buildings with outdoor entries and walkways. This makes it difficult to keep track of students and safely secure the campus in the event of an emergency. 

Aside from the physical condition of Meridian Middle School, our community is growing. We have an opportunity to build the middle school large enough to accommodate fifth graders. Currently Irene Reither Elementary is over capacity with 750 students. By 2030, over 1,000 students could attend. To alleviate overcrowding already occurring at IRE, the task force is recommending the new Meridian Middle School be built for grades 5-8. You can learn more about this recommendation on our Recommended Facilities Projects webpage. 

Building a new middle school for grades 5-8 is estimated to cost $76.6 million.

Meridian High School Safety Improvements and Repairs

Performing Arts Center

The performing arts center was built in 1991. The task force recommends repairs to the exterior faces and a new roof for the performing arts center. As part of these improvements, the band/choir room would be moved from an exterior campus building to inside the performing arts center. This would improve school safety because all classes would be on the closed campus. This project is estimated to cost $2.03 million.

New Generator 

A generator would provide emergency power and heat to prevent freezing pipes at MHS during inclement weather. The generator would provide emergency power to the office, library, main building, CTE building, north gym and locker rooms. This is separate from the generator for emergency power to the district’s main network and server room that voters approved in the capital projects levy in 2020. This project is estimated to cost $367,000.

Stadium Repairs and Lighting Replacement 

The task force recommends new lighting for the MHS varsity athletic field. The current lighting was installed in 1987 and is beyond its useful life expectancy. Some of the lights are not functional. The poles are leaning and rotting. The existing stadium structure is in need of repair as some of the beams are rotting. This project is estimated to cost $1.4 million.

Additional Projects 

While not currently part of their recommendation, the task force is seeking community feedback on two additional projects at MHS. The installation of tennis courts and a synthetic turf field on the Meridian High School campus.

Potential Future Financial Impact

The approximate total cost of the projects included in this draft recommendation is $80.5 million. If presented as a future bond measure these projects would be $1.69 per $1,000 of assessed value. The district is eligible for up to $10.2 million in state match funding. 

Next Steps

The task force will review all feedback received and use that information to finalize their recommendation. The task force will present their recommendation to the School Board at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29. 

You can learn more about the Facilities Task Force on our website. The webpage includes meeting minutes, presentations and documents reviewed by the task force.