Arlington declares emergency at Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center after widespread dry rot, mold; board waives bidding rules

Arlington Public Schools declared a facilities emergency for the Stillaguamish Valley Learning Center (SVLC) on Tuesday after inspections in July found widespread structural dry rot and mold in multiple portable buildings. The board adopted Resolution 25-12 allowing the district to waive ordinary bidding requirements and accelerate remediation and reconstruction work.

Brian Lewis, the district's executive director of operations, told the board the problem was discovered during construction planning for previously approved capital upgrades. "We discovered that there was structural dry rot endemic throughout the buildings on the campus," Lewis said, adding that some mold was found "but it was not inside of the buildings" beyond the exterior sheathing in many cases.

Lewis explained that the original capital scope (roof and siding work, ramp replacement, heat-pump replacement and a restroom rebuild) moved to a larger repair effort after crews found degraded sheathing and exterior framing. Several portables, he said, used exterior sheathing that was gypsum board rather than a more durable sheathing product; in other cases, water penetration to sill plates required removal and replacement of subplates and other framing elements.

Contractor Summit Construction, Wrecking Ball Demolition and Terracon (hazardous-material abatement) are on the job under the capital-projects fund. Lewis said the district has removed affected siding and mold-impacted material, the mold abatement contractor has cleared buildings where work is complete, and Terracon will re-test to confirm clearance before re-occupancy.

Lewis told the board the scope change will require additional funds. "What we think right now, is this is gonna cost an additional $750,000," he said, describing that as an early estimate that could change as work proceeds. He said the capital projects fund covers the work and that he expected the first change order to be roughly $615,000. The district cited an initial goal of completing repairs by Nov. 1; Lewis said September re-occupancy is possible but that he would not promise it.

Board members asked about continuity of programs. The SVLC site houses the district's alternative-learning programs and an Apple eCAP pre-K program operated under contract with Snohomish County and the state. Lewis said Apple eCAP operates two half-day sessions for about 80 children and that the county contract and attendance requirements leave little flexibility in scheduling. Staff are pursuing temporary housing options for students and said they would use the student learning plan flexibility for alternative-learning students if needed. Lewis said meetings with families would begin in the first week of school and the district already reserved space in the Lincoln Room as a temporary meeting site.

Parents in the audience urged quick action. Teresa Pierce, whose children are SVLC students, told the board, "We just got emailed today that the school is under construction, and they they found some things. And we're unsure of where we're gonna go from here." Chrissy Diedrichsen and Kylie Carter, other parents who spoke during public comment, described being alarmed after receiving the notice and said they wanted clear updates and rapid solutions.

Board members approved Resolution 25-12, which recognizes the emergency and authorizes the district to waive the usual competitive-bid process under the cited statutory authority to expedite repairs. Director Kelly moved the resolution; Director Knapp seconded. Vote recorded: Director Kelly: Yes; Director Watts: Yes; President Levett: Yes; Director Knapp: Yes.

Lewis said the district will continue two parallel planning tracks: complete repairs as quickly as possible and, if necessary, secure temporary off-site locations or adjust service delivery using student learning plans to preserve instructional contact time. He also committed to regular family updates and scheduled meetings for affected families. Lewis told the board that the work will leave the portables in substantially rebuilt condition and that the district expects the reconstructed exteriors and substructures to be durable for decades.