At their meeting on November 9, 2023, the Orting School District Board of Directors approved a resolution to place a bond measure on the ballot for February 2024. This decision comes after we conducted two community surveys to solicit feedback on the bond proposals. From those surveys, the most important issues from the community perspective included addressing overcrowding, improving safety/health/security, and supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE). Using community input, the board identified three core priorities and is reducing the scope of the previous bond. While these projects do not remedy all of our urgent needs in the system recommended by the Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC), it does put a big dent in the issues respondents want addressed at a more affordable price point.  

The three core priorities for the bond are:

• Expand Elementary Capacity: Rebuild Orting Elementary School for 600 students. A new gym for Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary to allow for consistent P.E./Health instruction and cafeteria expansion.
• High School Addition and Remodel for CTE Programs: Build a new 200 student addition to Orting High School focusing on our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Remodel the existing culinary and science lab for agricultural sciences.
• Safety, Health, and Security Upgrades: Upgrade to keyless control/lockdown systems and make significant improvements to the heating and cooling systems at Orting Middle School and Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary.

The bond measure will need a 60% majority to pass. Once the measure is approved, the school district will finalize plans and begin to seek building permits. 

For more information about the bond, visit our website at OrtingSchools.org/Bond-2024.

Questions or comments can be sent to our Public Information Officer, Brittany Piger, pigerb@orting.wednet.edu.

Posted 11/13/2023