District ready to unveil new-look Bothell High

Incoming sophomores won’t be the only people getting lost in the hallways of Bothell High this year when classes begin Sept. 2.

The school’s six-year makeover is coming to an end this summer, providing fresh digs for the entire Cougar community.

Any trace of the original 1953 building has disappeared — replaced by modern facilities that give the campus a more uniform look than it’s had in decades.

The previous building was a patchwork of additions and renovations dating back to 1956.

“Everything was so disjointed at the old school,” said Northshore School District spokeswoman Susan Stoltzfus. “It was like a walk through time. There didn’t seem to be any flow to it.

“This is a much more comprehensive plan.”

The six-year renovation project took place in three phases, beginning with the construction of a modern gymnasium in 2002.

A new math-and-science building, along with the Northshore Performing Arts Center, followed in 2005.

The latest renovations, which began in 2007, include a new library, cafeteria, commons area, administrative offices and classrooms, as well as enhanced teaching kitchens for the district’s culinary-arts program.

Northshore voters approved three separate bond measures between 1998 and 2006 to help pay for the Bothell High renovations, as well as other capital projects across the district.

The total cost for Bothell’s makeover amounted to $61 million, according to the district Web site.

“That’s still pretty reasonable for a major renovation of a high school,” Stoltzfus said. “A lot of them approach $100 million.”

Not all who helped plan for the third phase of the Bothell High renovations were pleased with its design.

Members of the steering committee raised concerns about placement of the library, computer lab and DECA store, saying those facilities needed to be closer to the departments that they serve the most.

District planners rejected the ideas, estimating that it would cost an additional $5.5 million to implement them.

Another concern stemmed from plans for the new teaching kitchens, which were not under consideration when the district proposed its bond measure for the third round of improvements in 2006.

District officials have said that the facility is needed to meet a growing demand for culinary-arts classes.

Bothell High is adding a second advanced-level course on the subject this year.

“That program has so much interest,” Stoltzfus said. “It’s great that they’ll have a better, modern classroom.”

The advanced-level kitchen will include six industrial-sized gas ovens, a walk-in freezer, two dishwashers and six stainless steel tables.

A second classroom will include standard home-economics learning stations.

The Northshore School District is tentatively scheduled to host a public open house at Bothell High Nov. 1.

“We really do want the community to come in and get a look at the school and get an idea of what it’s going to mean for students,” Stoltzfus said. “These improvements make a difference in the life of the high school and how welcome the students feel.”

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