Eatonville School District lays out six-year capital levy plans, explores bonds to speed turf project

Eatonville School District officials on Tuesday detailed projects to be paid from a newly passed six-year capital levy and outlined options to accelerate costly items such as a new turf and track.

Christa Gersink, the district’s director of business services, said the levy’s authorized uses include major maintenance, heating and mechanical upgrades, technology and infrastructure improvements, safety and security work, playground replacements and "replacement of the track and field." Gersink also reported that the district’s most recent state audit for 2022–23 was issued "with no deficiencies or weaknesses," and directed residents to the posted audit report for details.

The levy was presented as a multi-part program, with four public-table topics for the community to weigh in on: technology, playgrounds, building renovations and energy work, and a turf-and-track project that district leaders said would be intended for both school and broader community use. "We passed a six-year capital levy," the superintendent said, and the meeting was framed as a transparency session to gather public input before project-level decisions.

Officials warned that levy dollars arrive over time rather than up front. Gersink said new levy funds are collected across six years and "won't actually fully be collected until the end of 2030," meaning the district must prioritize immediate repairs while planning longer-term projects. She cited urgent building needs such as roof leaks at Weyerhaeuser Elementary and heating and cooling problems that triggered a call to the fire department.

On the turf and track, Gersink offered a current estimate of "up to $3,500,000 in today's dollars" and said the district is evaluating a limited general obligation bond—short-term borrowing, often five to ten years—worked through the state treasurer's office, as a way to reduce interest costs and complete the field sooner. "We are currently working with the state treasurer's office to get more information on what that would look like for us," she said, asking residents to consider the option if it materially saves money and accelerates benefits for students.

Energy compliance was a separate focus. Moe Salem, an ATS representative introduced by the district, described the 2022 Clean Buildings Standard and why the district must assess large facilities. "Buildings over 50,000 square feet need to meet certain energy targets by 2026 to 2028," he said, adding that the regulation requires 12 months of performance data and that noncompliance can trigger fines large enough that "it doesn't make sense to pay it, like, a $100,000 going back to the state instead of investing in your own facilities." ATS said it will analyze utility data for the high school and middle school and apply for a state energy-audit grant to refine budgets and compliance pathways.

District leaders also highlighted recent and potential grant funding to stretch levy dollars. Officials said the district secured a $300,000 grant to repair stadium restrooms and is in the second round for a roughly $1.2 million state grant; they are also pursuing federal funds that could partially cover a stadium project not included in the levy. Vendor representatives for turf, track and playgrounds (named in the meeting as AstroTurf/Hellas and a playground vendor) were available at the session’s tables.

Board members and administrators emphasized transparency and asked attendees to raise priorities and questions during short table-rotation sessions after the presentation. The district stressed that project timing will depend on grant success, bond decisions, and the phased receipt of levy revenue; the next step is to collect public feedback at the table sessions and continue financial analyses with the state treasurer’s office and consultants.

The meeting shifted to four 10-minute table rotations for technology, playgrounds, clean-buildings planning and turf/track options, with vendors available to answer technical and procurement questions.