Dear Editor:
This may seem counter intuitive, but it is often cheaper to construct a new building than to continue pouring money into repairs of an old deteriorating structure.

That is certainly the case with nearly 100-year-old schools like Highline High in Burien and Des Moines Elementary, which will be replaced if voters approve Highline Public Schools construction bond measure in November.

As you can imagine, schools built in the 1920s were not built to current fire or earthquake codes. Heating, ventilation and plumbing are also seriously out of date. They also lack the critical electrical capacity to support technology our students need to be prepared for the workplace of today and tomorrow.

Given the limits of the old construction in buildings that have lasted way past their intended lifespans, it might be impossible to make needed repairs at any cost. Continually repairing deteriorating buildings is costly and money now spent on repairs can be invested back into the classroom.

Evergreen in White Center, and Tyee in SeaTac, which face condition challenges but were evaluated by architects and engineers as lower in replacement priority will receive some critical repairs if the bond is approved.

With this bond, local taxpayers’ dollars will also be leveraged to gain additional $78 million in state matching construction funds.

Highline Public Schools has replaced most elementary schools and Mt. Rainier High School in the past decade with each project coming in on time and on budget. The district has delivered on its promises to the voters by being careful with the taxpayers’ money.

Vote Yes in November for the Highline Public Schools construction bond.

Tom Slattery

Chief Development Officer
Child Care Resources
1225 S Weller, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98144
206.329.1011 x 207
206.461.3726 Fax
www.childcare.org