Bus drivers first to ratify contract with district
May 18, 2010
Three contracts remain
Issaquah School Board members approved a new three-year bus drivers’ contract at their May 12 meeting.
The contract begins July 1, 2010, and expires June 30, 2013.
All contract language remains the same, except that drivers will receive a 20-cent raise per hour above the cost of living adjustment in the first year of the contract, and no raise above the cost of living adjustment in the second and third years.
“It’s wonderful to look forward to moving on to next year,” said Gina Carey, the bus drivers’ union representative.
A significant majority of the drivers’ membership voted to approve the contract, she said.
“This contract is done and I celebrate that,” said Transportation Director Jo Porter. “That work was possible because of the positive way we worked together and a building of this trust we have.
“Anytime you have a settled contract the way we did, there has to be trust on both sides.”
Leaders get sneak peek at school’s new look
May 11, 2010
Issaquah School Board members and district officials received an advance look at construction at Issaquah High School on May 5.
“This will be an incredible environment for student learning,” Superintendent Steve Rasmussen wrote in an e-mail. “The layout facilitates connections, there is an emphasis on green construction, we have flexible spaces to accommodate different instructional needs, science labs are customized for each course, the performing arts facility is going to be state of the art, and the list goes on and on.
“Not only will this building facilitate learning, it’s a school that everyone will be proud to belong to,” he wrote. “I expect that it will be a focal point for the entire community.”
It’s hard to remember the school’s former configuration; the changes have been that drastic. All that really remains familiar to the eye is the stadium and the part of Building A, facing the student parking lot.
In place of the school’s former gymnasium, the new classroom wings are in plain view. But the construction goes deeper than what you see from Second Avenue.
“What you see from the road is about half of what is going on right now,” said district Capital Projects Director Steve Crawford. “If there was a sporting event that took you to the football field and stadium, you could look back to the courtyard between the classrooms and the gym and get a full extent of what has been going on this year.”
Principal Paula Phelps led the tour that took board members and district officials through new classroom wings, sky bridges, gymnasiums and weight facilities, locker rooms, part of the commons, administrative offices, and library and mechanical systems.
New Liberty High School look is unveiled
May 4, 2010
Residents are getting their first look at the new and improved Liberty High School, as drawings for the school are made available.
The plans include an increased budget and the potential for a second phase of construction, which would include a new classroom wing with science labs and a new arts and technology wing for the school, if district officials and community members determine another construction bond is a viable option.
In 2006, the project was budgeted at $15.17 million. The project’s budget is now $15.4 million, according to the district’s Capital Projects website.
The schematic and site plan drawings are available on the district’s website.
Increases in the budget are mainly because the recession has enabled district officials to save money on construction costs at other project sites, like Issaquah High School and Creekside Elementary School, said Sara Niegowski, district communications director.
“The costs are coming in under what we expected, which is wonderful because in years previous to the economic downturn, construction costs kept escalating,” she said. “Now, we’re within or a bit below our estimated costs when the bond happened, which is why there is a little extra for other projects, like Liberty.”
Teachers receive schools foundation grants
April 20, 2010
Issaquah School District educators have received grants to help students achieve big ideas next year.
Issaquah Schools Foundation officials released more than $73,000 in Academic Enrichment Grants to more than 30 educators March 18.
The funding helps bolster programs in classes throughout the district, amid a year when district officials aren’t sure whether state cutbacks will affect their budget.
“School district resources are in short supply for even the basics like new curriculum, much less the extras that help learning really come alive for students,” foundation Executive Director Robin Callahan wrote in an e-mail. “In addition to supporting teachers looking for those enriched learning opportunities for their students, these grants seed innovative programs that often become districtwide initiatives.”
There are two types of grants foundation officials give out, the Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need Grant and the Classroom Enrichment Grant. Both enable teachers to fulfill educational goals in classrooms throughout the district.
Otters will make new elementary school home
March 18, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. March 18, 2010
The newest Issaquah School District elementary school will be the home of the otters.
Issaquah School Board members recently approved the mascot for Creekside Elementary School. The board also approved colors for the new school — brown, silver and blue. The colors represent the woods and water of otter habitat.
School officials made their final recommendation to the board after asking the community for submissions; they received more than 60 mascot and color entries.
District’s newest school named Creekside Elementary
December 15, 2009
Creekside Elementary School as seen from the northeast, with the main entrance at left and classrooms at right. By Issaquah School District
The Issaquah School District’s 15th elementary school finally has a name.
Creekside Elementary School, 20777 S.E. 16th St., Sammamish, will open in fall 2010 for students on the Sammamish Plateau near Pine Lake.
The school board unanimously voted on the name at its Dec. 9 regular business meeting.
The Chang family, of Sammamish, couldn’t be more thrilled with the choice, since it was their submission, Melody Chang said.
Jesse and Melody Chang’s two daughters, Emma, 7, and Erin, 4, will attend the school.
“When the community was asked to submit names, we came up with the name Creekside because it was simple, yet true to the area,” Melody Chang said. “We think it is indicative of the surrounding area and the nurturing environment that the elementary school has such an important role in playing.” Read more
Shovels turn for new school
July 7, 2009
Ground is broken June 23 for the Issaquah School District’s new elementary school in Sammamish west of Pine Lake with Principal Robin Earl (left), Superintendent Dr. Steve Rasmussen and school board members, (from left) president Brian Deagle, Suzanne Weaver, Jan Woldseth, Chad Magendanz and Connie Fletcher, turning shovels of dirt for the ceremony. By Adam Eschbach
Contractor selected to build new elementary school
June 2, 2009
Issaquah School Board members unanimously voted to accept a bid presented by Babbit Neuman Construction for a new elementary school at their May 27 board meeting. Read more
City, school district anticipate better planning for new school
November 25, 2008
Staff members from the city of Sammamish and the Issaquah School District say the district’s new elementary school should open on time in fall 2010. Read more
