At their meeting on July 18, 2024, the Orting School District Board of Directors approved a resolution to place a bond measure on the ballot for November 2024. This decision comes after the Citizen Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) meetings that started in 2021 and after conducting two community surveys to solicit feedback on the bond proposals last year. From those surveys, the most important issues from the community perspective included addressing overcrowding, improving safety/health/security, and supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE). The most urgent factor that played into the board's decision are the districts' most recent enrollment projections, which show that our district will grow by 90 percent by 2033. "[We understand] that some people will always have something negative to say when we are continually putting something out there for [our community] to consider," Melissa Kinzler, School Board Vice President, said. "We don't do this lightheartedly or thinking that opinions don't matter, we do it for the students in this district and to give them the best shot of getting the best education they can possibly get in facilities that are designed to do that."

While these projects do not remedy all of our urgent needs in the system recommended by the Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC), it does put a big dent in the issues respondents want addressed at a more affordable price point.  

The three core priorities for the bond are:

• Expand Elementary Capacity: Rebuild Orting Elementary School for 600 students. A new gym for Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary to allow for consistent P.E./Health instruction and cafeteria expansion.
• High School Addition and Remodel for CTE Programs: Build a new 200 student addition to Orting High School focusing on our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Remodel the existing culinary and science lab for agricultural sciences.
• Safety, Health, and Security Upgrades: Upgrade to keyless control/lockdown systems and make significant improvements to the heating and cooling systems at Orting Middle School and Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary.

The bond measure will need a 60 percent majority to pass. Once the measure is approved, the school district will finalize plans and begin to seek building permits. 

For more information about the bond, visit our website at OrtingSchools.org/Bond-2024.

Posted 7/22/2024