Bonds

In the summer of 2021, the Orting School District convened a Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) to identify facilities with the highest needs and assess projected enrollment growth. The committee recommended several projects, which were included in the 2023 school bond put before voters. While that bond did not pass, the needs identified—overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and support for Career and Technical Education (CTE)—have only grown.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2023, the district surveyed the community to gather feedback. Three clear priorities emerged:

• Relieving overcrowding

• Improving safety, health, and security

• Expanding access to CTE programs

Using this input, the School Board narrowed the original bond scope to focus on these top concerns at a more affordable price point. Although this refined proposal did not address all of the needs identified by CFAC, it took a significant step toward solving our most urgent challenges.

In November 2024, the revised bond measure again fell short of the 60% supermajority needed for approval. In response, the Orting School Board put out a public call for volunteers to serve on a Bond Task Force to help chart a new path forward.

Thirteen citizens answered the call in January 2025. Over the next several months, they worked together to review key data, including facility conditions, enrollment projections, capacity, cost estimates, assessed valuation, and past communications. Their work culminated in a recommendation to the School Board in May.

The Bond Task Force echoed CFAC’s finding that many district facilities are in need of major upgrades. However, when asked to prioritize, the group recommended a laser-focused approach that addresses the most urgent needs first:

• Replace Orting Elementary School

• Remodel current classrooms and build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing at Orting High School

One of the most impactful moments came during a district facility tour, where task force members had the chance to speak directly with students and staff. Their reflections included:

“The facilities were worse than I expected.”
“Our labs are in poor condition and our STEM graduates are not prepared. Our kids need access to equipment and tools to support their career pathways.”
“Many things are not up to current code. It was difficult to hear in the lunchroom and in our classrooms. Our facilities are extended past their designed use.”

In response to the task force’s recommendations, the School Board approved placing a bond on the November ballot at the July 17, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. 

Project

We aim to rebuild Orting Elementary School as a K-5 elementary school in this bond. This new facility will be constructed on 65 acres that the district acquired in 2022, which sits adjacent to Orting High School. With a safer building that reduces 40 entry points down to one main entry and a modern facility that moves over 300 students out of portables and into lighter and brighter classrooms, we can ensure our learning spaces accommodate the type of technology, flexible use, and collaboration that will set us up for future success.

Why is this project needed?

Orting Elementary School was built in 1968, and with the addition in 1977, the school was built to house 290 students. With almost 600 students in our current care, the lack of permanent space is felt in every aspect of our school. Building a new Orting Elementary School means more than extra space; it means a safer, healthier learning environment. Overcrowding creates challenges in traffic, supervision, and safety. A new campus would include a single secured entrance, modern safety systems, and room for students to learn and thrive. It would also balance enrollment between both elementary schools and free space for future growth at Orting High School. 

Projects

This bond will remodel the current OHS STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) classroom into an agricultural mechanics shop, remodel the current OHS culinary classroom into an agricultural science classroom, and build a new 200-student career and technical education (CTE) wing with new classroom space for culinary arts, biology/chemistry labs, physics/physical science lab, health science classroom, and engineering/robotics lab. 

Why are the projects needed?

The main sections of Orting High School (OHS) were built in 1986. OHS has permanent capacity for 600 students, but currently houses just under 900 students. We have the same number of science, technology, and career technical education labs as we did when the school was first built. This is grossly insufficient to prepare our students for the type of jobs and industry they will face after high school. According to a U.S. Census Bureau study, 80 percent of graduates will live and work within 100 miles of where they grew up and compete for local jobs. We project to have 1,000 students by 2026.  As OHS shares the same campus as Orting Elementary School currently, this bond will result in the high school having the entirety of that campus after building completion. This will add much-needed room to grow and allow for parking and other infrastructure to be constructed. 

Elementary Growth

$110,000,000

• Rebuild Orting Elementary School for 600 students on the 65 acre parcel adjacent to Orting High School.

Career Preparation

$38,300,000

• Remodel the current Orting High School science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lab into an agricultural mechanics shop.
• Remodel the current Orting High School culinary classroom into an agricultural science classroom.
• Add a new 200-student Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing with classrooms for culinary arts, chemistry and physics labs, health science classrooms, and robotics lab.

State Match

• If approved by voters, we will receive $11.1 million in state match funds, reducing the cost to taxpayers.

The cost of this bond is estimated to add $1.27 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which will generate $137.2 million to improve student learning environments.

• Orting's school leaders prepare as city sees significant growth - KING 5, September 2023
• As many WA schools lose students, this small-town district faces overcrowding - KUOW, April 2023
• As several districts see declining enrollment, Orting School District deals with overcrowding - KIRO 7, April 2023
• Orting School District faces over-packed classrooms as more families move to the area - KOMO 4, March 2023
• Orting School District has $150 million bond on Feb. ballot - The News Tribune, January 2023

• What will East Pierce school board candidates do about overcrowding? We asked - The News Tribune, October 2025

• These Pierce Co. schools have a toilet shortage. Is ‘Port-a-potty city’ coming? - The News Tribune, October 2025

• Voters to decide on Orting school bond as district faces overcrowding, space constraints - KING 5, October 2025