Dr. Carey smiling with photos of students in the background A Letter From Dr. Carey, ESD Community Newsletter, with ESD logo behing Dr. Carey

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October 17, 2025

Dear Enumclaw School District Community,

Our Bridges are Back!

The White River and Green River Dan Evans bridges have both reopened, and I think we can all share a collective sigh of relief. So many in our community rely on these vital connections in countless ways, to work, to care for family, and to sustain daily routines on both sides of the bridges.

While I am certainly grateful for a return to normalcy in our community, what I am most proud of is how our school community came together during this challenging time. The White River bridge closure revealed countless acts of kindness, goodwill, and selflessness, colleagues offering rides after crossing the footbridge, residents opening up their property for parking to help others commuting by bike, and groups of friends and neighbors walking together across the bridge each morning and evening.

These gestures reflected the resilience and deep sense of community that make our district such a special place. They also modeled the very qualities of empathy, perseverance, and cooperation that we strive to instill in our students every day.

Though I hope we won’t face another disruption like these anytime soon, I am sincerely grateful to everyone who helped “teach” this powerful lesson in community and compassion through their actions.

With appreciation,

Shaun 

https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2025/sr-410-white-river-bridge-reopens-ahead-schedule-reconnecting-buckley-and-enumclaw

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ESD Commitments Learn Lead Impact with commitment icons
Mrs. Morgan's class posing for a photo with large smarties candy after earning the Cougar Award for September at Westwood Elementary
EHS Homecoming football game picture of student stands
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Efforts Continue to build another elementary school in Black Diamond with a photo of a community meeting with ten trails residents

Oakpointe Negotiations Recap

  • The District was approached by Oakpointe (Developer in Black Diamond/Ten Trails) in the Fall of 2023 to share their concerns about the District’s bond failure and the need to build a school in Ten Trails.

  • The district and Oakpointe agreed to partner in our efforts to explore creative/alternative funding solutions for building a school that would not require a bond or levy.

  • As recommended by the citizens’ advisory committee, ESD has continued negotiations with Oakpointe to explore the sale of a district asset within the development area, in combination with future mitigation fees, to finance the construction of a new elementary school in Ten Trails.

  • To ensure the project’s viability, the School Board authorized a feasibility study to confirm financial and construction assumptions. The study concluded that the project is feasible and aligns with district needs.

Enumclaw School District continues to make steady progress in its negotiations with the City of Black Diamond and Oakpointe to amend the Comprehensive School Mitigation Agreement. This proposed amendment represents an exciting opportunity made possible by the foresight of previous Enumclaw School District Boards and administrators who ensured that future school sites were included in the original agreement. That early planning now allows the district to pursue an innovative and fiscally responsible pathway toward constructing a new elementary school within the Ten Trails community.

It is important for our community to understand that the developer would not be “building a school for the district” or simply “providing funding for construction.” The district would fund this project by releasing its interest in a district asset, specifically, in the larger school site included in the existing agreement, in exchange for $40 million. In addition, the developer would finance up to $25 million, which will be repaid through mitigation fees owed to the district from the developer.

This would provide a secure and predictable funding model that preserves local control and avoids new taxpayer funding. The next step will be a formal review and agreement among all three parties, including the school district, the City of Black Diamond, and Oakpointe. Once that occurs, the proposed amendment will be presented to the Enumclaw School Board for consideration at an upcoming regular board meeting.

Learn more on our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/news

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Upcoming Events with ESD round logo

10/17: Friday Early Release

10/17: Homecoming Parade 4:00PM, Cole Street, Downtown Enumclaw

10/18: EHS Homecoming Dance, 7:00 PM Pete's Pool

10/21: DATE CHANGED FROM 10/20 to 10/21! School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM District Office

10/29: TMMS Fall Music Recital, 6:00 PM TMMS

10/31: Battle of the Bridge Football Game, 7:00 PM, Pete's Pool

View all district and school events on our website

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October is Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

We all can take part in making our community a safer and more supportive place for everyone. Learn more about how to prevent, identify, and stop bullying at StopBullying.gov

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Disability History Month with 5 icons showing various disabilities

Disability History Month

Approximately one in five people in the United States lives with a disability. In Washington State, October is Disability History Month and a perfect time to learn more about the Disability Rights Movement, its challenges and triumphs, and expand our understanding of history to include those with disabilities. Visit https://www.aapd.com/movement/ to learn more.

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October is National Principals Month! Graphic

National Principals Month

Happy National Principals Month! Join us in sending a huge thank you to all nine of ESD's incredible principals who lead with dedication and inspire students daily. A principal's impact is invaluable!

To learn more about how you can celebrate and honor your students' principals, visit principalsmonth.org.

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Screeenshot of the Report to the community pages and cover

The Enumclaw School District Report to the Community: Spring/Summer 2025 Edition

Our Report to the Community publication celebrates success beyond what is measured on the state report card, providing taxpayers with a transparent and comprehensive view of the District's impact and commitments to families and students.

Our Spring/Summer Digital Edition is available now

View previous editions on our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/report-to-the-community

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School board meeting highlights
Junior Board Rep Makhya Walls repeating her oath of office to Dr. Carey

PASSED: Minutes, Consent Agenda, Payroll and Vouchers

Second Reading of Board Policies: #2020 - Course Design Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials, Policy #2021 - Library Information and Technology Programs

Presentations:

Superintendent Report
Nutrition Services

View the Board Meeting Minutes Button
Join Us at the next school board meeting with a photo of the board listening to public comment in the background

Our next Regular Board Meeting is Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

You will find the Agenda posted 48 hours prior to the meeting on our School Board web page.

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The Washington State Department of Health: Safety Study Hall

Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools,
students, and families to learn about safety topics.
 

Washington State Department of Health Logo
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Enumclaw Schools Foundation (ESF) strives to bridge the gap between the funds the state provides for basic education and the funds needed to provide students with the education they need for a successful future.

For more information about ESF, click the blue button below.

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ESF Logo
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Enumclaw School District Statement of Non-Discrimination

Enumclaw School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 RCW Officer,
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator
Stephanie Berryhill
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7113
stephanie_berryhill@enumclaw.wednet.edu

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Carolyne Zieske
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7104
carolyne_zieske@enumclaw.wednet.edu

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https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/