The听state听named the replacement of the existing Taholah School as a top priority under the School Seismic Safety Grant Program, recognizing the urgent need to move students to higher ground. | Photo Credit:听Taholah School District听
By听Lindsey Coulter听
TAHOLAH, Wash. 鈥斕齌aholah School District marked a historic milestone on Nov.听14, when community members, families, students, and partners gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking for the district’s new听75,000-square-foot K-12 school, which upon completion will听serve 250 students.听听
The听event听began with an offering and blessing of the land, followed by honoring the contributions that made the听project possible. Traditional blankets and necklaces made by students were presented to key Quinault Indian Nation members as well as to the听legislators, organizers, planners,听architects听and听project听team members.听
鈥淭his project shows what鈥檚 possible when schools and communities work together,鈥� said Superintendent Dr. Herman J. Lartigue Jr.听in a statement at the groundbreaking ceremony.听鈥淭he Quinault Indian Nation has leased the land for this new school.听We鈥檙e听grateful for their partnership and for the state鈥檚 support. Our students will learn in a building that keeps them safe.鈥�听
The current school sits in the听community鈥檚听lower village, an area vulnerable to flooding,听earthquakes听and tsunamis.听The state听named听the replacement of the existing听Taholah School听as听a听top priority under the School Seismic Safety Grant Program, recognizing the urgent need to move students to higher ground.听The new facility will be located 150 feet above sea level as part of the new upper Taholah village听development.听The school鈥檚 relocation is part of the Tribe鈥檚 larger relocation, anticipating the impacts of听natural disasters, which have intensified in the area as a result of听climate change.听Along with the move to a听safer and more听stable site, the new school听facility听will provide modernized learning spaces.听
The Quinault Indian Nation donated the land,听and the project is the result of years of听collaboration between Taholah School District, the Quinault Business Council, state听legislators听and听local听families.听
Project partners include project architect Arcadis; structural engineer Degenkolb Engineers; civil engineer Akana; mechanical,听electrical听and plumbing engineer Tres West Engineers; landscape architect Osborn Consulting; acoustical engineer A3 Acoustics LLP; food service designer JLR DESIGN GROUP INC; and theater designer. PLA Designs, INC.听听
Additionally, cultural consultant Donaldson Consulting听facilitated听community听engagement and communications with the owner and the Quinault Tribe. This step will ensure听the community鈥檚 voices are heard throughout the project and that cultural elements are implemented appropriately from schematic design through construction, according to the firm.听听