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Residents press Everett council for clarity on school plans as $2 million feasibility request is referred
Summary
Public commenters urged the council to slow plans for a new high school and to use existing studies before borrowing $2 million for an MSBA feasibility study; council referred the borrowing request to the Committee on Ways and Means and postponed a school-space presentation to June 24.
Public concern over school overcrowding and the future of the Pope John and former Everett High School buildings dominated public participation at the Everett City Council meeting. Multiple residents urged the council to gather and publish existing studies before pursuing new borrowing or construction plans.
Clerk-read Item 5 requested authorization to appropriate by borrowing $2,000,000 to fund an MSBA high-school feasibility study. The council voted to refer Item 5 to the Committee on Ways and Means for further review rather than approving borrowing at this meeting.
Several speakers raised overlapping concerns. Peggy Sereno asked why the city would seek $2 million for a feasibility study "before you even know if the people have ever want it," and suggested holding a ballot question to let residents decide. Paulister Reidy urged the council to compile prior studies on Pope John and the old high school before spending on a new study, and estimated that a new vocational high school could take seven to ten years and carry very large costs. Frank Parker urged support for Item 5, describing a ‘‘two-school solution’’ as a cost-effective path to ease overcrowding and expand CTE (career and technical education) capacity.
Council also read Item 10, a resolution requesting the superintendent and school representatives present foreseeable space needs; the superintendent asked to postpone his appearance, and council moved Item 10 to the June 24 meeting so school staff can attend. Separately, Councilor Holly Garcia’s request for an update on the current use and future plans for the former Pope John building was referred to the administration with a written response requested for the June 24 meeting.
Under unfinished business, a proposed moratorium on construction (Item 9) was discussed; councilors said more work with administration was needed and voted to refer the moratorium back to the sponsor. Councilors repeatedly signaled an interest in gathering more information with the administration and the school department before taking final decisions on borrowing or project locations.
The meeting record shows active public engagement on school planning and multiple procedural referrals so the council can consider further information and administration responses at future meetings.
