Pasco School District outlines 2023 bond projects: softball turf, CTE modernizations and timelines
Summary
Capital projects staff reported progress on 2023 bond-funded work including the new Pasco High practice turf and girls varsity softball field, CTE modernizations at Chiawana and Pasco High, and projected construction start and completion windows; board members and community commenters raised equity and turf-safety concerns.
Raul Sattal, capital projects manager for Pasco School District, presented a status report on the district’s 2023 bond projects and answered board questions on phasing and impacts.
Projects and schedules: Sattal said the bond funds supported the development of Sage View High School and Orion High School, field and facility improvements including the girls softball field at Pasco High School, career and technical education (CTE) modernizations at Chiawana and Pasco High, and land purchases for future growth. He said initial project renderings for the softball field were submitted to the city of Pasco for review in January 2026; permitting and bid release were planned for late February 2026 with construction scheduled to begin in June 2026 and an anticipated completion before spring sports 2027. Sattal described the new practice/turf layout as lighted turf intended for evening use and to reduce scheduling conflicts at Edgar Brown Stadium.
CTE modernization details: Sattal described Tijuana/Chiawana High School CTE work entering final design stages, including STEM lab modernization, HVAC redesign, and upgrades to 3D and laser printing equipment to support hands-on career-connected learning. He said CTE construction would start on 06/16/2026 with a projected completion listed in the transcript as 10/31/2016 (the presenter’s sequence contained an apparent typographical error for the finish date).
Board and community concerns: Board members asked about warranty status for newly completed schools, location and traffic impacts for the A wing addition at Pasco High, temporary impacts to course availability during modernization (staff said classes would be relocated, not canceled), and HVAC phasing with interior halls scheduled for earlier months. During public comment after the reports, community members raised concerns that turf could increase equipment costs for low-income softball players and noted potential injury or surface-preference concerns; boosters expressed gratitude for a dedicated girls’ softball field while noting scheduling tradeoffs.
What’s next: staff will proceed with permitting and bidding steps and return with more detailed phasing and construction logistics; board members requested circulation plans for any student or bus routing impacts before construction begins.
