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A Message from Superintendent Greg Baker

Dear staff, students, families and community members,

We regularly send updates regarding construction projects across our district and share news on a specific rebuild project, buying/selling land, designing schools, asking for feedback and many other facilities-related milestones that affect our schools and district.

This exciting and visible work in our district would not be possible without the support of our community. Voters approved our district’s bond measures, most recently in 2013, 2018 and 2022, which fund these important projects. The adage we like to use is that “bonds are for building,” which serves as a reminder that we are not able to use bond dollars for salaries, curriculum or other important district budget items.

Our new District Office has opened at 1985 Barkley Boulevard. It’s a beautifully designed, accessible, functional and sustainable building that was made with our community in mind. Staff across our district use our District Office for trainings and professional development, and we have incorporated ample rooms with technology and flexible furniture. Also included is an early learning center; thanks to two separate grants, we will be able to offer childcare to staff and our community starting in fall 2024.

It is incredibly unique for a community to support building a district office (DO). This is not lost on me or any of our staff who work in the DO. We are excited to share this space with our district community and those who may be interested in renting the facility for meetings or gatherings. Please visit our website if you are interested in learning more information about the new DO. We are hosting an open house for anyone interested in touring the new building 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

Here are a few quick facts:

• The new District Office is located at 1985 Barkley Boulevard.
• Funding for this building is thanks to voter-supported bonds from 2013 and 2022.
• The new district office includes a professional learning center, early learning center and family engagement center.
• We were intentional to think and plan beyond office spaces; we want this building to be an asset for staff, families and our community. We want everyone to feel welcome.
• The new district office provides spaces that are accessible, functional and efficient for our staff, families and community partners. These spaces are available for meetings, trainings and gatherings for staff and our community.
• Sustainability features include (you can see a full list):
  • All construction materials selected meet or exceed EPA recommendations for indoor air quality.
  • The building structural system is composed of heavy timber columns and beams and cross laminated timber (CLT) panels.
  • The mechanical system provides dedicated outdoor air supply for constant outside fresh air with fully integrated building automation controls for maximum efficiency.
  • As a fully electric building utilizing highly efficient systems, the building is designed to perform with half of the energy use of the national median energy use.

Other construction updates

• ����design advisory/educational specifications committee for the new Community Transitions building is hosting a community meeting Monday, April 15. All are welcome to review design documents and share input. The new CT facility will be located on the campus of Whatcom Community College, across the street from the WTA . You can read more about the upcoming meeting. We expect to break ground summer 2025.
  
• Bellingham High School’s tennis courts will officially open for public use this summer. Our high school tennis teams are using the courts now before the surfacing is applied.  Surfacing is a temperature and weather dependent activity that was not able to be accomplished before the cooler temperatures and rains started last fall.  We plan to apply the final court surfacing once the tennis season is complete and the weather cooperates.
  
• Both the Carl Cozier Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Committee and Roosevelt Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Committee recently held public meetings to hear hopes and dreams from staff, neighbors and families. We do not currently have set timelines for designing and building these schools. Both committees will wrap up before the end of the school year, then architects will work on plans and develop a rendering for additional feedback.

Thanks again to our community for their support of our bonds. We know space matters to our students, staff and community users of these great facilities, schools, fields, courts and playgrounds! As always, reach out if you have any questions.

Greg Baker

Reply to greg.baker@bellinghamschools.org