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Early Learning Facility Construction Bond

Colorful background heading - Vision: A Permanent Modern Facility for Valley Early Learning Center

Since its establishment 14 years ago, Valley Early Learning Center (VELC) classrooms and daily operations have been housed in four disconnected ‘temporary’ portable buildings, which are deteriorating and insufficient for the current and future needs of the program and community. As the program has developed and achieved the highest quality rating from the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families, enrollment requests increase each year.

The Valley School District Board of Directors and administrators have long aimed to provide a permanent facility for VELC, and conscientiously planned to bring this vision to life. With recent grant awards of 2.6 million in combination with district capital improvement funds, the goal of constructing a true school facility and expanding the program to serve more families is within reach. 

CONSTRUCTION BOND SUMMARY

Funds generated from the Bond will allow the district to replace four (4) temporary, old & deteriorating portable buildings with a NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FACILITY
for the Valley Early Learning Center to:  

  • INCREASE CLASSROOM SPACE to meet enrollment demand; expand preschool and Transition to Kindergarten classes, Toddler Learning, and Before/After School childcare and family educational services.
  • HOUSE ALL INSTRUCTION, ACTIVITY AND OPERATIONAL SPACES TOGETHER in one unified, energy efficient building for best security and operational control.

The Plan: Pay for the new building and campus improvements with

DISTRICT FUNDS and GRANTS (2/3 Funding)Pie Chart with sections for District Funds 43%, Grants 24%, Bond 33%

+COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Bond (1/3 Funding) 

District Contribution = 67% of estimated costs for realizing a NEW SCHOOL for early learning.

GRANT awards are earmarked for early learning facility construction and must be used for this purpose. Grants will be voided if not used by the District.

  • Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) Health and Safety Renovation –  Early Learning Facilities Grant Opportunity = $1.5 million
  • Washington State Department of Commerce’s Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Grant = 1.1 million

 

TAX RATES WILL NOT INCREASE
The 2005 Bond that funded the remodeling and expansion of the Valley K-8 School expires in December 2025. In this initiative, the new Construction Bond payments will begin in 2026 and remain at the existing school bond tax rate.

BOND AMOUNT: $3,945,000
BOND COST will remain the same at $1.47 per $1000 assessed property value 

  • Maximum bond term of 20 years.
  • Valley School District has LOW BOND & LEVY RATES, comparable to other districts with similar assessed property values.
  • PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS may be available for qualified individuals. For information, go to Property Tax Relief Programs – Stevens County

Click on links below to LEARN MORE about educational & school facility funding.

Growing Education: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LEVY AND A BOND?

BONDS & LEVIES: the Seeds of School Funding

 

Valley Early Learning Center
FACILITY IMPROVEMENT GOALS & PROGRAM NEEDS
Photo of Valley Early Learning Center temporary portable buildings and parking lot concrete barriers

VELC Facility Tours Available by Appointment – (509) 937-2638

Vertical bar graph comparing VELC enrollment by age group (blue) and potential enrollment numbers with new spacious building.INCREASE CAPACITY/ADD WORK SPACE
to meet enrollment demand: 17 children awaiting enrollment in 2024-25 = many families not served

REPLACE OLD, COSTLY & INEFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE/SYSTEMS
Add energy efficient HVAC Systems & Lighting, Windows, Doors; modernize building security

ADD A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN:
Replace small, insufficient/inefficient meal prep and service areas. Currently, the VELC cook has to prepare 212 daily meals and snacks in 12 sq. ft. of counter space.

Photo of small, cramped food prep area located in early learning classroom

  • Separate kitchen activity from student instructional spaces & activities
  • Add ample, adjacent storage cabinets and closets for food/cooking supplies currently stored throughout 4 buildings

ADD SPACE TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONALITY & overall efficiency for provision of services

  • Locate all classrooms and operations in one building
  • Have a controlled, single main entry point for student safety and security; have multiple emergency exits
  • Add separate nursing/care room
  • Add age appropriate indoor/outdoor play spaces > currently no weather-safe area, and play yard is in a hilly area

IMPROVE/EXPAND PARKING LOT & ACCESS

  • Pave dirt/gravel base
  • Mark parking spaces and lanes for better traffic flow and safety
  • Add sidewalks for pedestrian access