Capital projects update: New high school permitting on track; EV bus charger commissioning delayed

The Issaquah School District’s capital projects director updated the board on active projects, telling directors that most 2018 levy work is complete, 2022 levy funds continue to support critical repairs and that the district remains on track for the new high school to open in 2027—pending city permitting milestones.
Tom Mullins, director of capital projects, listed recently finished items (transportation shop AC, Endeavor HVAC unit replacements, Maple Hills playground work and a repaired exhaust fan at Sunset Elementary) and said the Beaver Lake Middle School elevator modernization is scheduled for summer 2026 because parts and commissioning windows pushed work beyond this summer.
Regarding the Department of Ecology EV bus grant, Mullins reported a commissioning issue: the manufacturer of the charging heads has not completed commissioning and the district is working to contact higher levels at the vendor; buses can still be charged by alternate means but not yet through the new infrastructure.
On the new high school, Mullins said city staff returned a first round of comments and the district has submitted responses; he said planners consider the comments addressable and the timeline remains on target. Major permitting milestones cited included Development Commission hearings in November and, if required, December. Mullins said construction and the scheduled 2027 opening remain the plan.
Why this matters: Capital projects and grant-funded investments affect classroom conditions, transportation operations and long-term facility capacity; delays in vendor commissioning can limit the operational benefits of investments.
What the board asked: Directors asked about the nature of the EV charging vendor issue, permitting comment rounds and how grant requirements (such as interagency agreements) affect readiness to apply for and receive funds.
Ending: Staff said grant-funded work will continue and the district is pursuing contacts at the vendor to resolve the charging-head commissioning issue; the board was told the new high school permitting is proceeding on schedule and will proceed to review on set dates with the city.