Everett Public Schools approved the purchase of land needed to build a new elementary school in south Snohomish County, a key step in the district’s plan to reduce overcrowding in its classrooms.
The Everett Public Schools Board of Directors voted Tuesday, March 10, to spend $2.5 million on three parcels of land that will become the site of the district’s 19th elementary school.
The property sits along Strumme Road in unincorporated Snohomish County, east of Mill Creek and about a mile and a half from Forest View Elementary School.
District leaders say the new school will help relieve pressure on existing campuses that serve roughly 20,000 students across the district.
“This addition of a new elementary school will help the district address overcrowding and reduce the number of learning cottages, AKA portable classrooms, at the elementary level,” Superintendent Ian Saltzman said during the board meeting.
Part Of $400M School Bond
The new elementary school is one of the largest projects included in the district’s recently approved bond package totaling nearly $400 million.
The bond will fund several major improvements across the district. Planned projects include replacing Lowell Elementary School, building 12 new permanent elementary classrooms districtwide, and replacing a building at Cascade High School.
District officials estimate the new elementary school will cost about $97.7 million to build.
Construction Timeline
The land purchase includes three parcels adjacent to property already owned by Everett Public Schools, allowing the district to assemble enough space for the new campus.
District spokesperson Harmony Weinberg said the district has now secured the land needed for the project. Additional nearby properties could be purchased in the future if they become available.
The school is tentatively scheduled to open in August 2029. District officials noted that timeline is an early estimate and may change as planning and construction move forward.
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