Capital projects update: elevator work, EV bus charging near term and new high school amendment under city review

Issaquah School District staff gave a status update on capital projects funded by prior levies and grants, shared progress on electric‑bus infrastructure and described the schedule for the proposed new high school major amendment with the city.

Tom Mullins, director of capital projects, reported that most 2018 levy projects are substantially complete and that work on 2022 levy projects continues as scheduled. He said elevator modernization at Beaver Lake Middle School will require shutting the elevator for six to eight weeks during summer work next year and that project timing will stretch into the following construction season.

Mullins reported the district received approval for reimbursable funds from OSPI for IGAs and from the Department of Commerce for an Issaquah High School energy efficiency project; work is wrapping this month. He also said the Department of Ecology EV bus infrastructure grant was awarded, buses have been delivered to the district, and charging infrastructure installation is nearing completion — with a first charge/test planned in mid‑September.

Jason Morris, executive director of operations, said drives and safety inspections remain for the delivered buses and that driver training will be required before routes start. Morris said there are three electric buses in hand and the district expects to assign them across elementary and secondary routes as operations allow.

On the new high school, Mullins said the district submitted the major amendment application to the city on July 1 and the city’s review process is underway. Staff described site improvements, parking and phased building plans; the district is targeting a construction start March 1 with an anticipated opening of Aug. 27. City review rounds have statutory review timelines; staff said they will coordinate to answer city questions as the city prepares a staff report and a schedule for discretionary review.

What it means: The district is advancing capital work funded by prior levies and awarded grants while preparing to test electric vehicle charging infrastructure and coordinate a major amendment land‑use review for a new high school. Staff flagged schedule implications for projects that require shutdowns (for example, an elevator modernization) and noted the need for driver training and operations readiness before electric buses go into service.

Next steps: Staff will continue construction and grant reimbursement closeouts, complete charging infrastructure testing, conduct safety inspections and training for electric buses, and respond to city review comments on the new high school major amendment.