Second Mead High School Back On Track School Officials Look Cautiously At Last-Minute Reprieve

Wed., May 10, 1995

Kara Briggs Staff Writer

After years of controversy and litigation, it appears the Mead School District will get final approval for its second high school.

Just hours before the Spokane County Boundary Review Board rejected plans to install public water pipes to the new high school, Gov. Mike Lowry signed a law revoking the board’s authority in the matter.

Looks like the school’s back on track,” said Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris.

Battle-weary Mead school officials looked cautiously at the last-minute reprieve. At stake - besides water - was a June 30 deadline to qualify for $9 million in state matching funds needed to pay for the $37.5 million high school.

Spokane County civil attorney Jim Emacio advised county commissioners Tuesday that the law cleared Mead’s way.

“Whitworth Water District No. 2 now says, and I believe correctly, that they no longer need Boundary Review Board approval,” Emacio said. “So that means the district can extend water.”

The law says water service can be extended when the water district and the county have previously planned for service in the area. In this case, the Mead land was part of Whitworth’s future service area.

“What’s left in terms of planning reviews is typical, usual and normal,” said Mead construction coordinator John Dormaier.

The county Building Department is reviewing details of Mead’s blueprints and should issue a permit in early June. The district will open contractors’ bids on June 6.

“I want to see the building permit,” said Mead Superintendent Bill Mester. “But I feel relieved.”

The Boundary Review Board spent six hours - over three nights - listening to public testimony and discussing the issues.

Heated opposition by some Peone Prairie residents and strong support by other Mead residents forced the board to extend its hearing time.

On May 1, the five-person volunteer board voted against extending water to the school.

That was just the most recent of several setbacks for the district, which currently uses 24 portable classrooms to help house students.

In the fall of 1993, county commissioners questioned the school district’s site selection process. They forced the district to step back, consider a second site and do detailed environmental impact studies of both.

Last winter - after the school district confirmed its selection of the site on Mount Spokane Park Drive - the Concerned Citizens for the Preservation of Peone Prairie appealed the choice to Superior Court. The court ruled that the district acted responsibly and thoroughly in its selection process.

Now even Commissioner Steve Hasson, who opposes the site for the new school, said Mead’s construction plans will become reality.

“It’s the last nail in the coffin,” he said of the new law overturning the Boundary Review Board.

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