Why We Need a New High School
Our 55-year-old building is failing our students. Here's why it's time to act.
Our 55-year-old building is failing our students. Here's why it's time to act.
Siuslaw High School was built in 1970 – before modern earthquake safety codes, before the digital age, and before today's security standards.
Built before earthquake safety codes, the high school cannot withstand an earthquake beyond 3.5-4 magnitude. We're in the Cascadia Subduction Zone with a 37% chance of a major earthquake in the next 50 years.
With 17 different entrances, the building is nearly impossible to secure. Modern schools have controlled, monitored access to protect students and staff from potential intruders.
The heating system breaks down regularly, causing school closures. Some rooms are too hot, others too cold. Replacement parts are difficult to find for the outdated equipment.
The 1970 electrical system cannot handle today's technology demands – Chromebooks, chargers, printers, and digital learning tools strain the infrastructure designed for a pre-digital era.
All utilities are buried in the concrete floors, making repairs prohibitively expensive. Science labs have no gas for burners due to corroded pipes that cannot be replaced.
No auditorium, no cafeteria, some classrooms have no windows. Built for 350 students but serving over 400. Locker rooms don't meet Title IX requirements for equal facilities.
Have questions about the bond measure? We've answered the most common ones.