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Yelm district to replace fire‑damaged portable, continue gym‑roof repairs and evaluate utility easement as booster club donates $16,705.99
Summary
Operations reported a tentative insurance settlement and a 5–6 month timeline to replace a fire‑damaged high‑school portable (with a planned demo/training for firefighters), ongoing gym roof repairs, failing school‑zone beacons, and a Puget Sound Energy easement inquiry; the Southworth Booster Club donated $16,705.99 for musical playground equipment.
District operations and community guests provided facilities and community updates at the March 26 Yelm Community Schools Board meeting.
A Southworth Elementary Booster Club representative presented a $16,705.99 donation for new musical playground equipment, describing large percussion instruments, interactive musical panels and plans for summer installation so the equipment will be ready for students in the fall. "This has truly been a community effort... We believe every child deserves a space where they can play, connect, and just be kind," the club representative said.
Operations staff reported they received a $33,000 OSPI grant to replace food-service equipment at elementary schools and provided an update on the fire‑damaged portable at the high school. The district is close to settling the insurance claim, staff said; once a replacement portable is ordered it is expected to take about five to six months to arrive, and the district plans a demolition this summer that Southeast Thurston Fire will use as a training opportunity before the unit is replaced.
The operations director also updated the board on ongoing gym roof repairs (tarps are in place in several areas while contractors address venting problems), a planned sign relocation to correct parking-lot traffic flow at YMS, and failing school‑zone beacons where the district is researching vendor options after on‑site evaluations determined the old units are unreliable.
Staff said Puget Sound Energy has requested an easement around Blackamus Elementary to bury power lines; the district expects an offer package and will evaluate the impact on underground fiber and property and whether compensation is included.
Operations additionally announced a hiring fair (transportation center, next Thursday, 2–4 p.m.) to recruit drivers, custodians and substitute staff with HR support on site.
Board members thanked staff and booster volunteers and applauded plans to coordinate with firefighters on the portable demo and to prioritize safety improvements.
