Times/News Correspondent

Half of the deaf and hard-of-hearing students enrolled in a special-needs program at Bow Lake Elementary may be turned away when Bow Lake and Valley View elementaries combine in 2007.

Concerned teachers warned Highline School Board members of this possibility on Aug. 24.

"Last spring I spoke before the board in support of the new Bow Lake/Valley View building," said Maggie Lewis, a teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Bow Lake who helped develop the program.

"Last week, my opinion changed."

Lewis said the "were told that in two years our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program would be cut in half. We currently have six classrooms that would be cut into three."

A major reasons given for this has to do with the size of the new building, she explained.

Like all new elementary buildings in the district, this school would be limited to 26 classrooms.

"When I heard the news I was flabbergasted because I couldn't believe that someone hadn't counted how many classrooms are currently at Bow Lake, which is at least 20, and how many are at Valley View, which is at least 11," Lewis declared.

The district also redrew the boundaries, which added students from McMicken Heights Elementary, creating about 50 more students, she continued.

Lewis suggested using two structures with three classrooms in them that are located at the far southeast corner of Bow Lake property, or redrawing boundaries so McMicken students wouldn't be included in the new school's population.

"These solutions are not perfect, but they are viable," Lewis observed.

"After having worked for decades developing the [program], I find the administrative solution to be disheartening and disillusioning. But that pales in comparison to how bad it is for the students and their educational future."

During a work study session following the board meeting, facilities director Alan Schmidt explained that the district has received sufficient funds to move forward on the next two projects on their prioritized list: Cedarhurst and Bow Lake elementaries.

Recapping a budget and cash flow analysis of the Capital Facilities Improvement Plan, board member Phyllis Byers stated, "What we have right now in revised budget is $255,000.

"If everything goes as planned, we would have $12.76 million left over at the 2007 mark and $45 million at the 2008 mark that is from the entire bond and funding sources."

Board members also discussed a new proposed school-construction bond issue.

They voiced their concerns about McMicken Heights and the possibility that it could be rebuilt at the Crestview site, 16200 43rd Ave. S. in Tukwila, if the bond is approved.

"I love Crestview. It's gorgeous," Byers declared.

"But I could never support the move," she added.

Byers said she knows the community wouldn't support it either.

Board President Tom Slattery agreed that before moving ahead with the bond proposal, there should be a discussion with the community.

Since the bond would not be on the ballot until March, board member Matt Pina suggested a public hearing to discuss details.

The other board members agreed that additional discussion will be necessary in September.

Carrie Wood can be reached at newsdesk@robinsonnews.com or at 206.444.4873.