Walla Walla Public Schools 2018 Pre-Bond and Bond Program

Pre-Bond Services

After nearly a decade of failed bond proposals, WWPS embarked upon a pre-bond process in 2016 supported by Wenaha Group. WWPS convened a Community Facility Task Force to deliver long-term capital planning direction to the Board of Education. Wenaha Group worked closely with the District to provide a fresh perspective on addressing facilities issues, crafted a schedule of activities, and prepared information to support the Task Force’s decision-making. Wenaha’s work included a new Study & Survey; community, staff, and student engagement; project cost analysis; historic preservation consultation; financial analysis; construction phasing analysis; capacity study; and safety and security study. After listening to stakeholders, WWPS learned that the community valued keeping their existing buildings, especially their park-like 1960s High School campus. In 2018, voters approved a $65.6 million bond (with a $52.6 million state grant match) with a decisive 72% yes vote. 

Project Management Services

Projects included complex modernizations of Walla Walla High School (GC/CM), Lincoln High School, and Pioneer Middle School, in addition to district-wide classroom technology, HVAC systems, and security/safety improvements. Wenaha Group worked with the District to develop a phasing plan for the District’s concurrent projects. The phasing plan allowed the school sites to remain operational while construction on new school facilities commenced. It also created efficiencies in procuring design teams and fostered a competitive bidding environment. Walla Walla High School was the largest of the three major modernization projects. Over a three-year period, Wenaha Group oversaw a carefully choreographed project which allowed classes to remain in session for the 1,800-student campus.