Capital projects update: Issaquah board hears progress on new high school site work and levy planning

Tom Mullins, director of capital projects, updated the board on the new high‑school construction site: clearing, mass excavation and stockpiling of materials are underway; retaining‑wall work was delayed about a week; and stormwater ponds and improvements will be installed under the future athletic field. Mullins said site landscaping and replacement trees are planned and that the district expects ongoing permitting work with the cities of Sammamish and Issaquah, including right‑of‑way improvements on 228th and 43rd tied to local permit mitigation.

Board members asked whether the road widening to five lanes was a district preference or a city mitigation requirement; Mullins and other staff confirmed the road improvements are required by the city as part of permit mitigation. Mullins added that summer construction permits (health, grading) will continue across project phases.

On levy planning, the capital‑projects presentation showed projected levy collections for calendar years 2027–2030 and noted the district is building in an early budget cushion of around $800,000 for the first collection year to allow flexibility if priorities shift or costs escalate. Mark Turner, chief finance operations, told the board the district will juggle funds and priorities if an unexpected project needs to be advanced; the district will be transparent about such trade‑offs.

What happens next: Staff will continue permitting with cities and refine the 2026 critical repairs levy project list and phasing. The Capital Projects Oversight Committee will reconvene in September to continue review and community engagement.