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Build a Second Elementary School to Alleviate Overcrowding

Build a Second Elementary School to Alleviate Overcrowding
 

Details About Proposed Second Elementary School

Aerial map shows the proposed school site

Hockinson School District has a bond proposal on the February 11, 2025 ballot to construct a second elementary school to address overcrowding at HHES. 

In Hockinson, it’s possible to have a small town feel with neighborhood schools. Here are details about the second elementary school:

  • The second elementary school would be constructed on a 40-acre parcel of land adjacent to Hockinson Meadows Park. When the land was purchased in 2023, the district bought 40 acres for $700,000 from Clark County.
  • Hockinson School District would optimize the location by integrating with the adjacent park amenities. 
  • In preliminary concepts, the second elementary school maximizes space with a compact design.
  • The Facilities Planning Committee is researching cost effective and energy efficient building materials for the second school.
  • Both elementary schools in Hockinson School District (the existing HHES school and the second elementary school) would serve TK-5th grade students in order to reduce traffic congestion and keep elementary-aged siblings at the same school.
  • School construction on unimproved land includes some infrastructure and traffic improvements required by the county to make the land usable as a school site.
  • School naming will be guided by community input.
  • School construction depends on bond passage and community input.
  • The existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School campus would receive safety improvements and would continue to be used by about half of the students living in Hockinson.

Estimated $68.4 minus state matching dollars & impact fees = $57.65 million project cost.

Why is a Second Elementary School on the ballot?

With 924 students, Hockinson Heights Elementary School (HHES) is the largest elementary school by student population in Clark County. A third-party demographer has projected that HHES enrollment will exceed 1,040 students by 2027. The school building was designed to accommodate approximately 500 students.

Side-by-side bar graphs show that both the enrollment and building age at HHES is about double the county average among elementary schools.

 

Due to overcrowding at HHES:

  • Traffic congestion at daily pick-ups, drop-offs and family events often overflows to block the narrow country road in front of the school.
  • Nearly one-third of all HHES students spend most of their school day in one of the school’s 24 portable classrooms.
  • Limited cafeteria capacity results in lunch windows from 9:50 am (kindergarten) to 12:40 pm (5th grade)

In community surveys this year, 66% of respondents prioritized building a second elementary school to alleviate overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School. 61.8% of respondents said that traffic congestion at daily pick-up/ drop-off and school events affects them.

view all survey results here

Bond FAQs

About the Bond

In February 2025, a Hockinson School District bond will be on the ballot. If approved, it will fund:

  1. Constructing a second elementary school to address overcrowding at Hockinson Heights Elementary School, the largest elementary school by student population in Clark County.
  2. Making safety improvements at the existing Hockinson Heights Elementary School site, including improving lockdown capabilities. 
  3. Building a Career & Technical Education add-on at Hockinson High School for job readiness education.
  4. Installing a new synthetic turf field at the high school and replacing high school track
  5. Adding an outdoor cover for athletics and install an ADA ramp at HMS

Learn more about the bond

In Hockinson, it’s possible to accomplish this for about $43/month for the average owner of a $750,000 home. Visit hocksd.org/bond to find detailed information about all four Hockinson School District bond project priorities. 

Where do the dollars go?

Bond dollars support our schools and benefit our Hockinson community. If the bond passes, it would allow local contractors to submit bids for construction projects, creating opportunities for school investments to stay close to home.

 

Remember to vote by Feb 11

Ballots are due by February 11, 2025.  Hockinson voters will receive ballots by mail in late January. Voters can return completed ballots by mail or using a Clark County Elections dropbox.  

  • If voting by mail, ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day; 

  • If using a drop box, ballot must be turned in by 8 pm on Election Day; 

  • If returned in person to the Elections Office, it must be received by 8 pm on Election Day.