College Place School Board approves 7-year growth plan
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, January 29th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE – The College Place Public Schools Board of Directors unanimously approved a new seven-year capital facilities plan on Tuesday, outlining a strategic roadmap to manage projected enrollment growth through 2033.
The 2026–2033 plan addresses significant capacity issues, most notably at Davis Elementary, which is currently operating at 118 percent of its design capacity. A 2024 demographic study by FLO Analytics predicts district enrollment will climb from approximately 1,500 students to more than 1,700 over the next decade.
Central to the expansion is a 40-acre parcel near Mojonnier Road purchased by the district in 2021. District officials said the site is positioned within the city’s designated growth corridor, with completed easements and access routes already aligning with future neighborhood development.
The long-term strategy includes a potential shift to a four-school model featuring primary, intermediate, middle, and high schools. To fund these projects, the district is targeting a bond election in 2030 or 2031.
“This plan reflects our responsibility to lead with purpose and prepare for growth before it happens,” Superintendent Jim Fry said.
Board President Eva Brown characterized the adoption as a “commitment to students, families, and the future of College Place,” noting the plan follows years of demographic research and alignment with the Washington State Growth Management Act.
District leaders emphasized that despite the growth, the plan remains rooted in a strategic goal to maintain a “small-school feel” while ensuring instructional spaces meet modern demands.
