b'Legislative ToursSeptember 2024From left, Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Dan St. Mary, principal; GeoffFrom left, Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Cindi Blansfield, Lawson, operations coordinator, and WAMOA representative; Rep. Stearns;associate superintendent, business and operations; Stephen Black, Jeffrey Grose, executive director, capital projects; Stephen Black, AettaAetta Architects, American Institute of Architects (AIAWA) Architects, American Institute of Architects (AIAWA); Dr. Alan Spicciati,representative; Dr. Alan Spicciati superintendent; Heidi Burkart, NW superintendent; Cindi Blansfield, associate superintendent, business ®ional coordinator, OSPI school facilities and organization; Jeffrey operations; Tyler Muench, director, advocacy & external affairs, OSPI; and HeidiGrose, executive director, capital projects; Tyler Muench, director, Burkart, NW regional coordinator, OSPI school facilities and organization.advocacy & external affairs, OSPI; Valerie Gonzalez, member, Auburn SD board of directors; Geoff Lawson, operaitions coordinaotr, and WAMOA representative; Rep. Stearns; and Laura Guenther, principal. On September 19, Rep. Chris Stearns (D-Auburn) visited Auburn SD as part of WAMOA-facililtated legislative school visits.On September 19, 2024, Rep. Chris Stearns (D-Auburn) Shown above is Dick Scobee Elementary School, which houses 670visited the Auburn SD. Shown above is the interior of preK though fifth grade students. Opening in 2021, it was funded byCascade Middle School, which houses 960 students in grades passage of a 2016 school bond issue ($34.5M) with $13.3M in State6-8. Originally built in 1967, and upgraded in 1988, the school funding assistance. Security is a key issue, with a double-entry doorwould be replaced and relocated near the present site if the as visitors are let in by the main office. The campus outside doors candistricts $532M bond issue passes on November 5. The bond be uniformly locked by a single button in the main office. The districtwould offer upgrades in 16 of the districts 24 schools, and design team had daylight as a major priority, and it was certainlyimprovements to six district support facilities. Notwithstanding achieved, especially with tall coridoors with accompanying windows.the age and condition of the school, which includes dark Unusual for an elementary school, each student is provided a locker,hallways and little exterior light, a strong curriculum is offered so they dont have to bring a lot of extra items to their classroom.to their students. Particularly strong is their AVID program, Another design decision was to have a restroom in all K-2 classrooms,which offers a college prep program for about 150 students. which allows the students to eliminate passing time. Additionally,A positive school climate was readily seen by the group, with each classroom can adjust its own heat. The school also houses threeSpartan Pride being exemplified by Perseverance, Respect, preschools, involving about 70 youngsters. They include ECEAP,Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence. School security is well transitional kindergarten, and early childhood education. Anothermaintained in this older building, as all of the perimeter gates interesting design feature is theres no cafeteria; the students eachare locked, with public entry through the main office. Security lunch in their classrooms. A large library features a computer lab forcameras are placed throughout the facility. In the back of instruction, a small instructional area, as well as an ample selectionthe school is a large enclosed intramural area for physical of books; this room also has lots of natural light. Outside is a largeeducation and recess activities. New Line Boards are found play area, with basketball and tetherball available. Further a largein the classrooms, with connentions to the Internet and the turf area is provided for group activities, along with a play area withteachers computer. All in all, the group agreed that Cascade swings, etc, that has a rubber surface. The group observed a positiveMiddle School is a good place for kids.school climate as evidenced by this motto, Im a learner, Im a leader, I belong here! Theres no doubt that all students at this school are valued and given a wonderful environment in which to learn.24 WAMOA JOURNALFALL 2024'