A Message from Superintendent Greg Baker
Dear students, families, staff and community,
We are excited to share some construction updates, which includes planning, remodeling and building schools, district facilities and fields. These projects are funded by our voter-approved bonds and benefit students, schools and our community at large. A reminder that funds raised through bonds are restricted for construction-related expenses only (per state law) and cannot be used to address other budget challenges or needs.
This update shares news about our work to relocate Carl Cozier Elementary, the design and construction timeline for the new Community Transitions (CT) building on Whatcom Community College (WCC) campus, our former District Office on Dupont Street and other smaller projects.
Relocating Carl Cozier Elementary
The collaborative work with the City of 91勛圖厙 continues as we work to relocate Carl Cozier within . The city announced that its Option 1 Framing the Park Perimeter received the most support from the public. The city had asked for feedback in November on four different proposals of Civic.
This means our district and the city will be studying the corner of Fraser and Puget as a possible relocation site for Cozier. The city is exploring how they would maintain enough space for softball, youth baseball and other recreational sports.
While we are excited about this news, there is still a lot of work ahead. From design to wetland assessment and land appraisals, our capital projects team, working with architects and others, will be busy in the months ahead.
Click the image or . Graphic courtesy of the City of 91勛圖厙.
Community Transitions
The Community Transitions Design Advisory Committee met during the 2023-24 school year and provided a recommendation at the end of the school year. With this approved recommendation, the design team continues their work to obtain construction permits with plans to begin construction this summer. The new CT building will be on WCC campus, across from the WTA Cordata bus station. Completion is targeted for fall 2026. See rendering below.
Old District Office
Since January 2025, the former District Office at 1306 Dupont Street is listed for sale. The former Roeder School housed district administrative offices since 1937. In 1971, the building began its sole use as an administration building.
50+ years later, after flooding in early 2024, we closed the District Office and temporarily relocated staff to schools and other buildings across the district. We were able to accelerate our move-in date to the new District Office on Barkley Boulevard thanks to the efforts of our construction crews, led by Dawson Construction, the general contractor on the project. The Dupont property has remained vacant since January 2024, and in cooperation with our insurance carrier, all repairs have been made and the work is complete.
Other projects
- Whatcom Middle School gardens: Last year, a team met to develop middle school garden recommendations; Whatcom Middle School has seen these standards put into practice. The hoop house has been replaced with a permanent greenhouse and should be complete in March. Students and our CTE plant science teacher will dig into class in the new greenhouse this spring.
- Lowell committee: The 2022 bond set aside some planning dollars for Lowell elementary. A community committee kicked off in January to look at needs and opportunities at Lowell, with an emphasis on making the school more accessible, inclusive, and while aligning with current sustainability and safety practices.
- Squalicums new reader board: The new electronic reader board was installed at the schools entry and is a welcome addition. The electronic reader board is consistent with our district standards and city requirements.
Thank you again to our 91勛圖厙 community for supporting our schools, fields and facilities!
Greg Baker
Reply to:greg.baker@bellinghamschools.org