About the Old U-High

Former University High School Use Questioned
June 2007

Growing student enrollment and shrinking classroom space have prompted many questions in the Central Valley School District. One of the most frequently asked is “Why don’t you use the old U-High?” 

This is one of dozens of ideas being explored by the Facilities Options Committee, a group of volunteers who are researching options suggested by the community to address the district’s growing student housing crisis.

Now called the Central Valley Early Learning Center, the former University High school sits on 24 acres in an established residential neighborhood. The school opened in 1962 to serve students in grades 10-12. In 1998, Central Valley voters approved a construction bond to simultaneously build two new high schools. Due to the small size and limited road access to the former site, the new University High School was built on its current 49-acre site (corner of Pines and 32nd) to serve up to 1,800 students in grades 9-12. 

At the time, the District was eligible for a combined total of $23 million in state construction funds to rebuild these two aging schools. In December 1999, the School Board approved a resolution to build the new schools …“in lieu of modernizing existing facilities and; 2) existing non-modernized…University High School facilities will not be used in the future for K-12 instructional purposes or be eligible for future State financial assistance.”  

The specific rules governing this action and the subsequent use of the former University High facility are spelled out in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-347-042. These rules do not allow the district to house any K-12 students in the facility. But, the district did successfully secure a four-year waiver to temporarily house students in the building while their home schools were being modernized (2002 – 2005).

As Central Valley enrollment has grown, the District has repeatedly inquired about using a portion of the former U-High building for K-12 education. The request has consistently been denied.

“There is no option to return use of the former University High building to K-12 instructional purposes,” said state OSPI official Gary Miller, Eastern Washington regional school facilities coordinator. “The law is clear. Once a school district has selected the replacement option, there is no going back.”

Currently, about 80 percent of the former University High is in regular use. Central Valley preschool programs, child care and adult education programs are housed there, as well as about one third of the district’s bus fleet and supporting services. The district also leases a portion of the facility to Valley Christian School, using the revenue to help pay for building utilities and overhead costs. And, our community continues to actively use the former school’s gymnasiums and outdoor athletic facilities.