To the Editor: Read the facts about the school bond

Recently, there were letters to the editor written by citizens who oppose the upcoming bond measure to replace our high schools. I would encourage all voters to read the facts about the upcoming election. I have attended several district and community sponsored meetings regarding the bond issue, and found both District administrators and architects to be very open to input from the community. Contrary to what Ms. Way asserts in her letter, the plan for Shorewood does not include turning the Ronald School building into the new library. The proposed location of the library reflects how the community input process worked - the design team listened to citizens, including me, who requested that the library be located in a more central location so that it is convenient to all staff and students. The design incorporates possible shared use with the Museum (the District legally has to rent space at fair market value to the Museum when the current lease expires - see document). It does not involve tearing down the Ronald School as Ms. Way insinuates, nor does it “needlessly destroy the Museum,” as Ms. Phelps would have us believe.
The District selected Bassetti Architects for design of the new Shorewood in part because of the work they did with other high schools with historically significant buildings. Take a look at what they accomplished with Roosevelt High School. (Photos of Roosevelt High School courtesy of Bassetti Architects. Ed.) Anybody who is familiar with the old Roosevelt can see that historical features were honored and preserved while the school was transformed into a beautiful modern, functional facility that will serve that community for many decades. I hope that our community will be able to see the end result of how the architectural significance of the Ronald School building can be honored and preserved, while at the same time addressing seismic issues and providing our students with a school environment that is safe, healthy, and functional.

Our current high schools are inadequate to meet the needs of Shoreline’s current and future students. I want my children, and the rest of our community’s children, to have the opportunity to attend a high school that is safe, secure, and up-to-date, and that meets the needs of students, staff and community. All of the districts that surround Shoreline have supported providing updated high schools for their students. The proposed high schools meet the district’s goals of providing “an environment that honors community values and promotes community access” and “a specialized design that honors the identity and history of the school and the district”. By approving all three ballot measures in February, voters can show our community’s children that we value the quality of education they receive.  

Kristine McLane
Shoreline