Recommendations from the Resource Optimization Workgroup

Innovative Programs Recommendations:

• Expand the Dual Language Program into Middle School
• Strengthen Early Learning Programs by investing in partnerships with providers
• Continue to expand our highly capable programming and expand opportunities for enrichment
• Invest in the Educational core – focus on project based and experiential learning

School Consolidation Overview Recommendations:

• Study and create a plan to close an elementary school
  • Move elementary students into the remaining three facilities without triggering overcrowding and allowing the district to modernize the empty building. Baseline forecasts indicate that elementary enrollment will drop by another 130 students over the next five years. This represents a large cost-saving measure which could allow investments in the innovative program recommendations.
• Study rural campus optimization model for Cape & CCMS
  • Because Canyon Creek Middle School shares a roof with Cape Horn-Skye Elementary, closure offers minimal savings and is not being considered. Instead, we will achieve cost savings by scaling our shared campus efficiency model:
    • Unified Administration & Operations: Consolidate administration into one principal and one front office for the K–8 pipeline.
    • Resource & Staff Sharing: Expand sharing of specialized instructional and support staff across all grade levels.
    • Athletic Integration: Combine Canyon Creek Middle School sports with Jemtegaard Middle School to protect extracurricular opportunities, as CCMS has sometimes struggled to field full teams.

Long Range Planning & Facilities Recommendations:

• Retain all current district properties rather than pursuing immediate sales, as these assets will appreciate over time and yield far greater long term value than immediate liquidation. Proceeds from the sale of property go into the capital fund, and legally may not be used to fund programs or staff.
• Conduct property valuation & gather cost assessments to determine costs required to improve or repair aging structures, such as repairs to the old bus garage.
• Explore a public/private partnership for the 995 E Street property, with a goal of meeting the district’s storage needs, but better utilizing the property; consider cost of updating property if district keeps it to ensure it is safe to use
• Preserve future flexibility and liquidity – The district must be careful not to lock itself into long term agreements that restrict flexibility, ensuring we maintain liquidity and can quickly reclaim full use of the properties when student enrollment trends shift down the road.

About the Process

The Resource Optimization Workgroup has almost monthly meet since August 2025.  The group has studied the district’s enrollment trend, property assets, current and projected space utilization, and other data. The group identified three core issues – the district needs to continue improving the educational program for students, evaluate and weigh options for long term property assets, and to study space utilization and school condition.