Millions of state dollars for new Tri-Cities schools now uncertain

Pasco and Richland parents may think their elementary schools are cramped, but the state disagrees.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction said elementary and middle schools in the two districts have enough space for the next few years.

The decision could hold up millions of dollars of state money for new and replacement elementary and middle schools in both districts.

State officials recently released the latest calculations for the School Construction Assistance Program, commonly known as the state matching money.

The program provides a significant amount for new buildings and major renovations. For example, about $15 million of the $27.3 million price tag for the newly finished Three Rivers Elementary School was state money.

State officials calculate the amount by predicting how many new students will enroll in local schools in the coming years.

Then they assess how much classroom space the district has to determine how much the state will contribute for new space.

They make the calculations in December of each year.

According to the current numbers, Pasco doesn’t qualify for money for a new elementary school until 2025, Superintendent Michelle Whitney told the school board last week.

“Those of us who have been working with our projection numbers were perplexed by what we learned,” Whitney said.

The announcement came as school board members are deciding how much to ask voters for in the next bond proposal in November 2020.

While a third high school appears to a shoo-in to go in the bond request and would qualify for state money, school district leaders also hoped to replace the aging Edwin Markham Elementary School.

The school is 17 miles north of Pasco in Franklin County and was built in 1962 and remodeled in 1984, and isn’t equipped to handle new technology.

Numbers don’t match

Even as growth in the districts has slowed, Pasco continues to have the highest number of new students year after year, according to figures provided by the district.

State officials weren’t available to explain to the Herald what changed in their predictions that made Pasco no longer eligible for elementary school matching money.

The school district’s predictions contradict the state’s figures.

The district’s long-range facilities plan says the middle schools will remain overcrowded even after Ray Reynolds Middle School opens next fall.

The plan predicts elementary students will have enough space when Columbia River Elementary School opens and sixth graders move back to the middle school.

The district’s predictions aren’t out of line with their current enrollment. According to fall reports, actual enrollment for the year only lagged behind the projections by 80 students, putting them 100 students ahead of last year.

The state’s recent decision comes after the district spent nearly a decade playing catch-up to its bulging enrollment as they tried to find space for students.

According to state statistics, Pasco schools added 3,700 students between 2009 and 2017. That was 1,500 more than the Kennewick district during the same period.

During that time, Kennewick schools added, remodeled or expanded 20 schools, while Pasco built just four.

District leaders are still talking to the state about what this means for the new bond. They plan to return to the board with more details in January once they have a chance to find what the state is considering.

Richland checking on impact

Richland school leaders are also waiting for more information on what the change will mean for its expected projects.

Voters signed off on a $99 million bond in 2017, aimed at replacing Badger and Tapteal elementary schools along with building two new schools.

So far, the district wrapped up work on a West Richland elementary school near Belmont Boulevard and started work on replacing Tapteal.

The future of the remaining schools is still uncertain after the state said Richland does not qualify for state matching funds for elementary and middle schools.

District leaders want to see the state’s detailed demographic study to give them a better idea about the predicted future enrollment.

“Once we have all that information, we expect to discuss any possible effects to our construction program,” said Communications Director Ty Beaver. “It’s important to note that OSPI bases its construction funding on very basic projected enrollment figures that only consider past enrollment growth.”

While Richland’s enrollment hasn’t grown as dramatically as Pasco’s, the district steadily adds more students each year, according to state figures.

The Legislature’s efforts to cut K-3 class sizes and a move to full-day kindergarten has increased the need for school space, but they haven’t changed the funding formula to reflect that.

High school plans

Pasco and Richland are in various stages of looking at a third high school.

Pasco has a committee putting together a high school plan. And district leaders are preparing to ask voters to approve a bond in November.

In Richland, a group is working on a long-range building plan, which includes plans for a new high school along with improvements to the current high schools.

Both districts currently qualify for money from the state for a new high school.