Perhaps some people already know that the Highline School District Board (HSDB) wants to move Des Moines Elementary from its present prime soundview location in downtown Des Moines to the site of Zenith Park (240th and 16th Ave SW). Many do not.

We do not know what would become of the present Des Moines Elementary site (perhaps sold to a developer to build condos) and what would the proceeds of that sale be spent on?
Does anyone question the fact that the major contributors in the support of this Bond are commercial land and real estate developers and construction contractors?
Do all these developers stand to make a financial gain with the passage of this Bond?

We do not know if Zenith Park is a suitable location because:

Was a feasibility study done?

Was the Department of Fish & Wildlife notified and did they approve of the location?

Was the Department of Ecology notified and did they approve of the location?

Were the home owners in the Zenith Park neighborhood notified that they would lose their Park? Is this okay with them?

Were the home owners in the Zenith Park neighborhood warned of the flooding that could result from such a development?

Were the people who recently purchased homes in the area notified before their home purchase that Zenith Park was going to become the site of a 600 student school if the Bond passed?

Do we know what would happen to the runoff when the forest is clear cut and there is no longer any trees to drink up the rain water and ground water?

What would happen to the wildlife in the forest? In Normandy Park, a housing development was built, called Josephine Park, and there was a flooding issue as well as the relocating of all the coyote who lived in the forest that were there previously. They killed all of the domestic cats in Normandy Park and now roam freely because their habitat was taken away.

What would happen to the ducks, cranes and foxes that call that area home and live on a water way that flows into Massey Creek, which is a protected Salmon habitat?

Would the runoff from the cars and buses servicing the schools and students pollute the surrounding areas and cause hardship?

There are so many unanswered questions; To move a school to another area does not provide a solution because so many other problems could result. There is no indication that any homework has been done and like so much of this Bond that is in seclusion, we, as citizens, are at least owed a detailed explanation of every point mentioned above and more.

The bigger question is why hasn't these facts and answers been provided?

SSOS
Sensible Spending on Our Schools