A Message from the Department of Operations 

Staff, families and community members may apply for consideration to serve on the Facilities Planning Task Force. 

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16. 

Bellingham Public Schools convenes a Facilities Planning Task Force regularly (approximately every five years) to review enrollment trends, facility conditions and programmatic needs.  

The task force will analyze trends and develop recommendations for future use of district facilities. 

Currently, Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) is experiencing a decline in enrollment, particularly due to lower birth rates.

The task force will: 

• Review and analyze demographic data: enrollment projections and potential factors influencing demographic change. 
• Review historical and current district capital facility planning documents. 
• Develop recommendations for an elementary facilities master plan covering the years 2026–2036. This may include, but is not limited to, reconfiguration of attendance boundaries, consolidation of programs, or the potential closure of one or more elementary schools. 
• Identify potential capital cost savings, investment needs, and budget implications associated with proposed changes to elementary facility usage. 

The committee will meet from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, March 9, March 16, March 23, April 13 and April 27. You can learn more about this group and see a full list of dates at the committee webpage.  

To apply for consideration to serve on this committee, complete and submit an online application form by 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16 or download to print this form and submit to the Department of Operations at 1985 Barkley Blvd., Bellingham, WA 98226. Questions? Please contact Julie Denton by email (julie.denton@bellinghamschools.org) or phone 360-676-6400.