Elkhorn parents say Measure Z plans shrink common spaces; request formal community input before final designs

Lede: Three Elkhorn Village Elementary parents told the Washington Unified School District board on Feb. 13 that amended renovation plans for their campus reduce permanent classrooms and common spaces and were shared without a formal community input process.

Nut graf: Parents said they had participated in early planning that informed the district’s 2020 facility master plan and campaigned for Measure Z to fund those renovations. They asked the board to pause final design approval until the district holds formal, accessible community meetings and explains how parent feedback will be weighted.

Body: Lisa Meneses, who described herself as an Elkhorn parent and a participant in the 2019 community input session, said the community’s priorities — larger common-use spaces, an adequate multiuse room (MUR), an expanded library and a permanent gym — are not reflected in the most recent concept drawings. Meneses said the project was delayed and that she and other parents learned only informally that the project had grown “millions of dollars over budget” and that the MUR and library might be cut.

Other parents reiterated concerns. Betsy Cellino said the campus is “in dire need” of updates but that parents had not been asked for input before plans changed. She told the board the school serves Area 2, which will see increased enrollment as high-density housing is built, and said reducing multipurpose and classroom space could worsen crowding.

Dr. Molly Kerzer gave specific detail about capacity at Elkhorn: she said the cafeteria, built in 1954, has a fire-code sitting capacity of 160 — roughly two grades — so assemblies are frequently standing room only. Kerzer and other parents said the MUR is used daily for assemblies, indoor recess on rainy days, after-school activities and community events; they said converting all or part of the MUR into classrooms would remove critical flexible space.

Parents requested a formal outreach plan that would include at least two in-person, facilitated community meetings, interpretation and transparency about how community input will be weighted against other design constraints. They asked the board to “partner with our community” and to preserve the facilities voters funded through Measure Z.

Ending: Board members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to follow up. Parents said they will press for public meetings and clearer communication as the project schedule moves forward.