The Eatonville School District board voted to approve the purchase of replacement playground equipment for Weyerhaeuser Elementary on a single unanimous voice vote during its regular meeting.

A district staff member told the board the project has a $50,000 apportionment from the Pierce County Council and funds set aside from the district’s capital projects levy. "We've received a $50,000 apportionment from the Pierce County Council in order to provide playground equipment at Weyerhaeuser," the staff member said. The staff member reported the equipment price is $57,091.64, installation $43,462.92 and engineered wood-fiber surfacing $24,009.15, for a total after tax of $134,653.38.

The board turned technical questions over to Brandon, a district facilities presenter, who said the play structure is designed for children ages 5 to 12 and that the Sourcewell interlocal contract covers the equipment price. Brandon said he has not yet received installation plans from a colleague named Cameron but expects the district can complete installation in-house if the structure is built to plan, which would preserve the manufacturer warranty.

On safety and surfacing, Brandon told the board the health department inspects the structure after installation. He explained that the engineered wood-fiber surfacing requires about 12 inches of material with filter fabric beneath it; installing the fiber over existing pea gravel would raise the finished surface considerably, so the district expects to remove the pea gravel rather than simply top it.

A staff member reported the existing play structure at Weyerhaeuser has been marked with caution tape and deemed unsafe following inspections: "...it has been deemed unsafe for student use," she said, citing gaps and loose bolts. Board members and staff recalled the old structure may date to about 1979.

Following discussion, a motion to approve the purchase was made and seconded. The presiding member called for the vote and announced, "Motion carries." District staff said ordering now would likely push delivery into January; the district will handle demolition of the old structure and proceed with installation and surfacing once the equipment arrives and after required inspections.

Funding and procurement details: the board passed the purchase under a Sourcewell interlocal agreement with partial support from a Pierce County Council apportionment and the district's capital projects levy. The board did not specify separate line-item budget allocations beyond the totals presented. The district will schedule the health-department inspection before the playground is opened to students.