The Bellingham School Board has made a “springboard proposal” to the Birchwood neighborhood concerning the new elementary school, Cordata Elementary, slated to open Fall 2011.
Greg Baker, superintendent of Bellingham Schools, wrote in a letter to the Birchwood neighborhood that the school board is proposing to open up Cordata Elementary in Fall 2011 to relieve Sunnyland and Alderwood Elemenatry and relocate all students and faculty from Birchwood Elementary while it is being rebuilt. Cordata will be able to accommodate up to 500 students, which is higher than the average of just over 300 students for the surrounding schools.
Birchwood Elementary was determined the lowest rated facility, along with Sehome High School, in the district, according to a 2007 report.
Baker wrote that in order for this to happen it would mean postponing seismic work on the district office and using the funding instead for the Birchwood Elementary school project.
“I visited district staff and I visited some of our northside elementary schools to talk with staff, PTA and neighborhood leaders about Cordata and also met with Central Services staff,” wrote Baker.
The school board has created an online survey in order to get feedback from the parents in the neighborhood. The survey asks participants to state what their relation is to the school and in 100 words or less, their position on the proposal, including any suggestions for improvements.
Baker wrote the school board is going to use this type of proposal in the future in order to get feedback from the community.
“We plan to use this type of ‘springboard proposal’ more this school year where we share an idea in its early stages as a jumping off point to allow time and opportunity for improving it before making a well thought-out decision,” Baker wrote.
The Bellingham school district has 10,000 students with approximately 1000 students that will be affected by opening of Cordata and construction of Birchwood Elementary.
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