Port Townsend public to help school district map future — especially if school closes

PORT TOWNSEND – The Port Townsend School District will give the public the opportunity Thursday to help it map its future – including the recommended closure of Mountain View Elementary School.

The first in a series of community meetings will also discuss how to deal with the district’s old buildings.

“We have to do something with our facilities, because they are aged,” said Schools Superintendent Tom Opstad.

He said the key issue is for the public to determine is whether it wants to renovate the buildings, which could add about 20 years of life to them, or build new ones, which could last for 60 years or more.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will take place at Blue Heron Middle School, 3939 San Juan Ave.

Opstad said he will open the town meeting with a PowerPoint slide presentation outlining the four schools in the Port Townsend School District and the problems associated with them.

They are Grant Street Elementary, 1673 Grant St., built in 1956; Mountain View Elementary, 1919 Blaine St., built in 1961; Blue Heron Middle School, 3939 San Juan Ave., built in 1995; and Port Townsend High School, 1500 Van Ness St., built in the early 1900s.

More in News

Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Sequim council member to resign

Downer unseated former mayor in 2023 election

If a construction bond is approved, Sequim High School’s open campus could be enclosed to increase safety and update the older facility, Sequim School District staff said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Ballots for Sequim schools’ bond, levy measures to be mailed Jan. 22

Helen Haller Elementary would be replaced, if successful

Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)
Habitat breaks ground at Carlsborg development

Lyon’s Landing planning to host 45 homes

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Students from Mutsu City, Japan, and Port Angeles sit in a Stevens Middle School classroom eating lunch before the culture fair on Tuesday. To pass the time, they decided to have a drawing contest between themselves. (Rob Edwards)
Japanese students visit Port Angeles as part of sister city program

Mutsu students tour area’s landmarks, stay with host families

Jefferson PUD picks search firm for general manager

Commissioners select national co-op association

Port of Port Townsend hopes to sell the Elmore

First step will be to have the vessel inspected

f
Readers break $100K in donations to Home Fund

Donations can be made for community grants this spring

Threat against Port Angeles high school resolved, school district says

Principal credits partnerships with law enforcement agencies

Man flown to hospital after log truck rolls over

A Hoquiam man was airlifted to a Seattle hospital after… Continue reading

Increased police presence expected at Port Angeles High School on Friday

An increased police presence is expected at Port Angeles… Continue reading