This letter was mailed to the school community this spring.
March 2026
We are writing with an update on the Bond work planned for your school this summer and in 2027. As BVSD has shared previously, the district is currently engaged in important conversations with our community about declining enrollment and planning for the future, which includes the possible consolidation, closure, or programmatic changes for our elementary schools. These conversations will continue through the spring, and final decisions on any proposed changes are anticipated in October.
In consideration of this work, the decision has been made to place all playground projects planned for this summer on hold. In addition to your school, four other schools scheduled for playground improvements this summer will also be affected.
We recognize that this news will bring disappointment to staff and families given the excitement around these improvements. This decision was not made lightly and careful consideration was given to selecting the most responsible path forward. Ultimately the deciding factor was to remain judicious with taxpayer dollars until the Board takes action this fall.
Despite the uncertainty around future Board decisions, we are moving forward with design work for the school’s larger Critical Needs Bond scope. This design process will provide updated information on the existing needs of the building and current pricing for improvements, which will help inform the Board’s decision-making process and put us in a position to be future ready.
Design for the building improvements will be completed in September. Following the Board’s decisions in October, the District will be positioned to determine next steps for all projects. This timeline ensures that any responsive action to declining enrollment would be identified prior to entering into construction agreements for work that would begin in 2027. Our contractor and design teams remain committed to the project, pending our Board’s decisions.
We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership as the District and our Board works through these important considerations.
Please direct questions about the project to Kris Stoppenhagen at kris.stoppenhagen@bvsd.org.
Sincerely,
Kris Stoppenhagen
Executive Director of Bond Planning and Construction
Rob Price
Assistant Superintendent of Operational Services
