"Fewer Schools-More Money"

That definitely won't be the rallying cry for those supporting a school-construction bond that could be on the ballot in March.

However, with rapidly rising construction costs, that would be the reality Highline Public Schools board members were told last week.

Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain pointed out the $189.5 million bond approved in 2002 to pay for 10 projects, including replacement of seven schools, would cost $407 million if passed in 2008.

The $148 million bond, passed two years ago for technology and security improvements as well as replacement of four schools, would cost $188 million this year, according to Fain. By next year, the cost will rise to $212 million.

Madrona Elementary in SeaTac was built in 2003 for $12.2 million. The 2008 bid to build a similar school, Parkside Elementary in Des Moines, came in at $25.6 million.

District officials noted construction costs have risen 14 to 15 percent in some recent years but have stabilized. Fain said the district is factoring in a 6 percent per year increase on future projects.

Fain presented several bond options, ranging from about $200 million to $400 million.

For $196.5 million, the district could replace Des Moines Elementary and Pacific Middle, both in Des Moines.

A $200 million to $300 million option calls for replacing Des Moines and Highline High or Des Moines, Pacific Middle and Sylvester Middle.

Des Moines, Pacific and the Tyee High campus or Des Moines, Pacific and Highline would be replaced if a $300 million to $400 million bond is approved.

In each option, the district would also spend $20 million on critical repairs to facilities and $21.5 million on other potential educational projects.

If Des Moines Elementary is replaced, district officials will choose whether to rebuild it at its current location near downtown or at the vacant Zenith site on South 240th Street by the Landmark on the Sound (formerly Masonic Home) complex.

The current 4-acre location is too small to accommodate the two sports fields district planners want in new elementary schools. If the school is built in Zenith, students could stay at the old location during construction, instead of moving to an interim site, fain added.

Des Moines Elementary was the only regular school building judged as "very poor" in a consultant's report on district facility conditions.

Fain also noted the Chinook Middle building was ranked as "fairly poor" but critical repairs would be made without replacing the school.

Superintendent John Welch said he would make a bond recommendation to the board this fall.

Cost estimates are based on a bond being approved in March with design work for the projects begun at the same time.

The new schools, like the previously rebuilt buildings, will have two stories with sloped metal roofs.

Elementariness could house 550 to 600 students. Depending on whether the middle schools contain two or three grades, capacity would be 700 or 950 students. High schools could have 1,500 students.

Board member Sili Savusa said the "positive energy" generated by the previously built schools would help a new bond measure pass.

She noted, "The whole neighborhood changed" after White Center Heights Elementary was replaced.

Welch was wary, noting a poor economy and rising construction costs.

Vice President Bernie Dorsey concluded a bond measure and campaign must be "very strategic.

"We cannot just rely on momentum," Dorsey added.

Welch also mentioned the possibility of a transportation levy to replace 63 to 68 buses at a cost of $6.4 million to $7 million over two years.