Mount Si is bursting at the seams

Published 9:42 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

With 500 more students expected to enter its doors over the next five years, staff members at Mount Si High School are making choices of necessity as overcrowding continues.

The student population grew by 24 percent over the last five years at Mount Si, which has a 1,234-student capacity and is currently 111 students over capacity. Based on current enrollment at Valley elementary and middle schools, by 2010, the high school will be 487 students over capacity. Counting the number of kindergartners in the Valley, the high-school student population will more than double by 2015.

In a few weeks, Snoqualmie Valley School District goes back to voters with its preferred solution to growth, a four year, $209-million construction bond.

Along with a new high school and elementary school, the May 15 bond provides a short-term solution to overcrowding at Mount Si: seven double portable buildings, putting 14 classrooms where the tennis courts are now. In this case, the tennis courts would have to be relocated.

“Classrooms are the highest need,” said Mount Si principal Randy Taylor, who recently addressed overcrowding and the temporary solutions before the school board.

For the complete story, subscribe to the Valley Record, (425) 888-2311