NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Randy Matheson | Executive Director

Community Relations | 425.204.2345 |
randy.matheson@rentonschools.us

Artist rendering of the concept of the new secondary learning center at Black River High School. The new facility will combine
programs from Sartori Education Center. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2012. (See more photos below.)

Black River High School to be rebuilt, new secondary learning

center to combine programs from Sartori Education Center
Voter approval of bond in May 2008 allows for
rebuilding of school facilities
April 19, 2010—This summer construction will begin to rebuild Black
River High School with a new facility that will also combine programs
“ It’s wonderful that with voter
support we can now provide
from Sartori Education Center. The new secondary learning center site
students in our alternative programs
will take about two years to complete and will provide students with
a school as impressive as others in
fundamental education—mathematics, reading, writing, science—along
the district.”
with new, innovative classes—Web-based programs, culinary arts and
more—for high school students who wish to enroll in an alternative —School Board President Lynn Desmarais
learning environment.

Planning for the project began in 2006, when community members, staff and others prepared a list of needed school
renovations and upgrades to be placed on the ballot before voters. In May 2008, voters approved those projects, which
included the construction of the new $20 million secondary learning center, along with a new wing at Hazen High
School, work at Dimmitt and Nelsen middle schools, an Early Childhood Learning Center, and more.
Plans to build on the east side of site in question
Initially the district hoped to build the new facility on the east side of the campus while allowing Black River High
School to remain open. Further testing of the area proposed for development unearthed excessive underground water,
placing those plans in jeopardy. Geotechnical engineers are again analyzing the site and subsurface conditions for
earth support, drainage, foundation design, and concrete slab on grade construction. A decision was made recently to
change the logistics of the project and move students and staff off site and out of the construction area to prepare to
raze and rebuild the school, which may have to be built much closer to where the current Black River school is located.
Staff, students and parents were recently informed about that change to the project timeline, and the decision to
vacate the property during demolition and building of the new facility.

An individual plan for every student

Black River High School teachers and staff are working with school and district administration to create an individually-
specific education plan for each of Black River High’s 150 students. An estimated 25 will graduate this year. Plans for
the remaining students include grouping nearly half of the students into a newly-formed program at Sartori Education
Center that meets their need for guided and independent study. Other students with specific education requirements
will learn at district schools that best meets their needs. In the coming days, teachers and school staff will hold
individual meetings with students and their families to review the education plans along with strategies for transitioning
into next year’s schools.

Staff, students, parents offered input into design

At the start of this school year, an independent consultant worked for months with teachers, support staff, students and
parents at Black River High, Sartori Education Center and other alternative programs to review current alternative
learning programs for effectiveness and students engagement. Also discussed were current and future programs that
would make a difference for students in alternative settings. That work, along with teacher, parent and student
planning and strategy sessions that began in 2006, coupled with recent input offered by staff, parents and others to
NAC Architecture, helped develop plans for the new learning facility and will be used to infuse the center with new
innovative alternative classes.

PROJECT SUMMARY
Site Plan:

This artist rendering shows a site

plan for the campus with the school
located near the area of the current
school. Plans for the school could
employ many energy conservation
measures including using “gray
water” technology which water
runoff from the roof to flush toilets.
The green area depicts a soccer
and baseball field and a paved
fitness path. The vegetation runs
the property line along South
Langston Road. The water area is a
county-mandated storm water
pond.
Main Entry:

This rendering is a conceptual

representation of the main entry
way for the school. The two-
story school will replace the
current one-floor building. The
main entry way is a two-story,
glass structure that will allow
light to flood the entranceway
and student administration
areas.

West Façade:

This rendering a conceptual

representation of the building
from the west. An extended
roofline, encased in glass,
allows sunlight to enter the
interior of stairways, common
areas and classrooms.

Bird’s Eye View:

This rendering shows the school
from the air. Clearly visible is a
“green roof” on the west façade
that is covered with vegetation,
planted over a waterproofing
membrane. The environmentally
friendly green roof will work to
cool the building and reduce
sun glare.
 st
1 Floor:

This rendering shows the first floor

of the building which includes:
 9 classrooms
 pre-engineering classroom
 Culinary Arts Center
 computer lab,
 the principal’s office and
administration
 a gymnasium and fitness center
 student commons (see illustration
below)

nd
2 Floor:

This rendering shows the second

floor of the building which includes:
 10 classrooms
 business computer lab
 library
 teacher/parent conference room
 storage areas

Commons:

This rendering represents the

student commons area where
students can meet before or
after school, and provide a
general conference area and
additional learning space. The
area will also include a student
store.