Strike renovation of an interim site for Aviation High School from the proposed Highline schools capital facilities bond that likely will be presented to voters in March.

Superintendent John Welch told board members in a Sept. 14 study session that a new Aviation High site must be ready for the start of classes in Sept. 2006.

March would be too late to have funding decided for the new location, Welch said.

However, district staffers presented alternative projects to be funded by a bond measure of around $148 million.

Technology director Vern Jacobson outlined $9 million in technology improvements - up from the $7.7 million he suggested on Aug. 10.

Facilities Director Alan Schmidt proposed $9.5 million for emergency repairs and capital improvements. He had originally suggested $6 million for the items in the proposed bond.

Board members are expected to vote Sept. 28 on submitting the capital facilities bond to voters in the spring.

The bond would also finance construction of five new elementary schools plus Camp Waskowitz repairs and security upgrades.

Shorewood in Burien, Midway and Parkside in Des Moines and Marvista in Normandy Park would be rebuilt with bond funds.

In addition, McMicken Heights in SeaTac would be rebuilt using state matching funds.

Part of the technology enhancements would allow parents to keep track through the Internet of their child's attendance, grades, test scores and class assignments.

"This would be a tremendous benefit to district parents who could keep track of their kid's progress," board member Matt Pina declared. "It's a student accountability piece."

Much of the study session focused on the difficulty of finding a suitable site for Aviation High students at the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.

By then, about 300 students will be enrolled at the innovative high school with a program centered around aeronautics.

In its 2004-05 inaugural year, the school was selected as one of four high schools around the country to be featured on CBS-TV's morning show.

Welch said staying at the Duwamish campus of South Seattle Community College near Boeing Field is not an option.

"I tried everything," Welch reported.

Welch said district officials have not come up with a good solution.

"None of the alternatives would be a no-brainier," he noted.

Sunnydale and Salmon Creek, two schools closed in June, are low on the list of locations, he reported.

Woodside at 18367 8th Ave. S. in Burien already houses programs that would have to be moved, according to Welch.

The superintendent said the Kilroy Building, across from Sea-Tac International Airport on International Boulevard, might be available on a five-year lease but would be expensive.

It used to house SeaTac's city hall.

Farther down the boulevard, the Christian Faith Center won't be available until late 2006 or early 2007, Welch reported.

The site has school facilities. The center is moving to a larger location in Federal Way.

The former Glacier High School in SeaTac would have to be brought up to code, according to Welch. He doubted that could be done by next September.

Pina suggested the district use one of its vacant building as a permanent site, even if portables would have to be added.

The board scheduled another study session on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at district headquarters to discuss the Aviation High dilemma.

"The school is a gem that has received national attention," board president Tom Slattery added. "We have to find a way to keep this great program."

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com, or 206-444-4873.