A plan to better accommodate the programming needs of this 9-12th grade Option high school through property consolidation and annual improvement projects.

The Community School, which is a project-based high school, has been housed at the Bancroft Building since 2014. Bancroft served as an elementary school for nearly 100 years; its current structure was built in 1960. Bancroft’s original design for younger students has required significant improvements over the years to accommodate the 9-12th grade population and extend the useful life of the 65-year-old building.

To locate The Community School at a site that would better suit its student population and enhance programmatic opportunities, SPS is exploring its move to a building in the University District at 501 N. Riverpoint Blvd. (“Riverpoint One”).

This location could also house district administrative offices and other district services as part of the district’s effort to consolidate properties and reduce operational costs. The site’s proximity to five higher education institutions and downtown Spokane also aligns with the school’s community-connected learning philosophy.

If The Community School is relocated, the Bancroft Building would be under consideration to sell or lease. Until such a time, the Bancroft Building would be included in our Annual Capital Projects Campaign, which uses bond funds for necessary facility upgrades and ongoing improvements to ensure each of our 58 schools is safe, secure, and has a long useful lifespan.

Our SPS Capital Projects team gathers input from principals, maintenance and safety department staff to develop a recommended list of smaller projects to undertake in the following year. The "Annual Capital Projects Program" is then reviewed and approved by the school board.

Here are a few of the projects that have been completed or are approved for completion as part of the 2018 Bond for The Community School at Bancroft:

• Design and implement room and layout modification for safety and efficiency

• Capital improvements to grounds

• Install flooring improvements in selected areas

• Upgrade HVAC system

A list of all Annual Building Improvement Projects since 2018 provides more examples of the scope and cost of these efforts to keep district facilities in good working order.