Capital Levy Projects
The importance of capital levy projects
Capital levies provide the school district with the ability to complete facility improvements that are too large for a maintenance work order, but smaller than the major remodels and new construction that are typically funded with capital bonds. These include updating old building systems, implementing modern technology, replacing equipment that has reached the end of its maintainable life, etc. Thanks to the overwhelming voter support of the Renton School District community, we have been able to utilize capital levy funding for the last decade to complete the following project types.
Safety/Security updates
Secure entry vestibules
fire/security system updates
key and access control updates
intercom and radio updates
ada/accessibility updates
elevator modernization
security cameras
cpted (crime prevention through environmental design) updates
Safety and security updates are critical to keep our school buildings accessible and safe. They also provide updates for vital communication systems that are required for fire monitoring, security concerns, and keeping school district staff in communication with first responders when needed.
HVAC & mechanical equipment updates
air handling (ventilation)
heating and cooling systems (boilers/chillers/heat pumps/geothermal)
replace aging plumbing/piping (heating/cooling/domestic)
update hvac controls (thermostats/dampers/valves/actuators/software)
provide energy updates (clean buildings act)
kitchen equipment updates
HVAC systems include mechanical components that have a maintainable life between 20-40 years. School buildings are expected last 50+ years and require these systems to be updated at least once during the life of the building. HVAC updates allow a building to continue providing appropriate ventilation and comfort for our students and staff. Additionally, the WA State Dept. of Commerce's Clean Buildings Act is requiring new energy use requirements for older buildings. These new requirements impact what type of HVAC systems can be utilized in older schools and have led to many necessary updates. Additionally, food service equipment needs to be replaced in schools to assure appropriate nutrition services for our students. Walk-in coolers/freezers, dishwashers, ovens, etc. are regularly updated as part of capital levy projects.
Exterior building envelope updates and improvements
roof replacement
exterior paint & masonry sealants
window replacement
increased building insulation
The components of a building's exterior have a limited maintainable life. Replacing older building envelope items help to prevent issues such as water penetration at roofs/walls, premature degradation of exterior siding & masonry, and high energy costs for heating/cooling.
Interior updates
LED lighting
acoustic improvements
flooring/finish updates
cabinet/countertop updates
folding wall updates at gyms/stages
School interiors are designed and built to provide well-lit, cleanable, and functional spaces for educational programs. As interior building components age, they require updates to maintain these attributes. Working towards this standard, Renton School District interior learning environments benefit from levy projects such as tunable LED lighting, updated flooring in classrooms & common spaces, updated cabinets/countertops and wall finishes in classrooms, and acoustic improvements for large volume spaces (e.g. cafeterias, gyms, music classrooms, etc.).
Fields/Grounds updates
drainage, grading, and planting updates
irrigation system updates
updated playground equipment
turf playfield and track updates
sidewalk and walkway updates
Exterior fields can settle over time and create ponding and muddy areas for students. Updated field drainage, soil, and grass are provided to keep playfields from becoming unusable or difficult to maintain. Artificial turf playfields have a limited life and the turf must be replaced every eight to ten years, or the turf will not meet athletic standards for safety. Sidewalks can settle and become cracked, leading to trip hazards. These must be updated to assure safe walking paths for students, staff, and visitors at our schools. Updated playground equipment is being installed at many of our elementary schools, as older equipment can become difficult to maintain and keep safe.
