Bellevue board OKs Samish single-use restrooms and Evergreen Transition sensory garden contracts

The Bellevue School District board voted April 16 to approve two capital contract awards funded from the district's capital levy and approved bonds.

Samish High School: Board members approved awarding the Samish High single-use gender-neutral restroom project to Reynolds General Contracting for a bid of $634,000. The project, funded by the district's capital levy, will demolish existing toilet rooms and construct 10 universal-occupancy ADA-accessible toilets and a new handwashing station. Principal Drew Thomas and student advocate Ren Nowers described the project as the result of student voice and design collaboration. District staff said only one bidder submitted a fully responsive packet; the bid was close to the engineer's estimate of $596,000. Staff and directors said higher costs reflect demolition, plumbing rerouting, ADA compliance, and the compressed summer schedule to complete work before school starts.

Evergreen Transition sensory garden: The board also approved a contract for the Evergreen Transition sensory garden to TJ Nospit Construction for $2,030,353. The project develops two properties adjacent to the transition center to create an ADA-accessible garden with greenhouse, raised beds, sensory landscaping, a pavilion and parking, funded by previously approved bond funds. Board members emphasized the project supports vocational opportunities and outdoor engagement for students served by the Evergreen Transition program.

Both contract awards passed by voice vote; the meeting record contains discussion of scope, cost drivers and schedule, but detailed roll-call tallies were not transcribed. Directors praised student engagement in the Samish design process and noted that both projects come from capital funds rather than the general operating budget.