Issaquah breaks ground on new high school site work; opening expected fall 2027

Tom Mullings of the district’s capital projects office updated the board April 9 on progress at the new high school site, reporting that the site‑works permit 1 was issued March 30 and that construction‑support activities have begun.

"Construction activities have commenced," Mullings told the board. He detailed early steps: installing temporary construction fencing, staking clearing limits, tagging trees to be retained, placing temporary erosion and sediment control measures (TESC), and receiving construction support materials and equipment on site. Mullings said the team is coordinating with the City of Issaquah and the City of Sammamish on remaining permits (including a right‑of‑way permit for 228th Avenue Southeast) and will present a permit list at a future meeting.

The district scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for April 24 and continues to post construction updates, traffic impacts and photos on its project webpage via QR code on site boards, Mullings said. Board members who toured the site described extensive clearing and said some removed wood will be repurposed for the new building. The district reiterated an expected opening of fall 2027.

The board asked about permitting sequencing; Mullings described the permit path (building permit, site‑works two, right‑of‑way and a series of dependent retaining‑wall permits) and estimated some permits could arrive within a month to six weeks. The administration committed to continuing to show construction photos and provide periodic updates to the board and public.