District approves design development of Renton HS expansion

The Renton School Board has approved the design development phase of the Renton High School Replacement Project, which was presented to the school board during its July 23 meeting.

With funding from the 2023 bond of “a total project budget of $334,736,000,” the presentation of the designs for the school included the most current project schedule, a summary of the design development process, an update on student and family engagement, a review of the design development, site studies and land use approval process.

The project schedule shows that the district is at the end of property acquisition; in the middle of land use, planning review and cultural resource coordination; and in the first half of permits. These phases are expected to end in fall 2026.

The district reports the project is in the early stages of demolition and site preparation, which is expected to end summer 2026, leading into demolition and phased construction, which is expected to be complete before the beginning of the 2030 school year.

Updates to the design development include vehicle circulation, parking and gate locations. That includes entry and exits for staff, students, events, drop-offs and visitors, along with a dedicated bus loading lane on Logan Avenue. Other updates are delivery and loading docks, field amenities (lighting, storage, concessions and utilities) and space for student gatherings.

The presentation highlighted sustainable design features that include a “highly efficient” HVAC system that meets the requirements of the Washington Energy Code and Clean Buildings Act, solar energy sources, low carbon and “healthy” materials, efficient lighting and daylighting, and high acoustic quality.

Due to Renton High School being built along former Black and Duwamish rivers, the land is considered a “high probability for archaeological sites,” and one of the original reasons to fund a replacement for the school. The presentation highlighted site studies and land use processes that have been conducted to date.

These include a retention of Historical Research Associates Inc., an archaeological work plan, field investigations, a report that was submitted in April 2025 to the Department of Archaeology and Historical Preservation and Tribes, along with ongoing investigations. Also mentioned was a “Monitoring and Inadvertent Discovery Plan” to be in place for contractors when working on demolition.

Airspace studies and other planning were highlighted, like a wetlands study, a Cedar River hydrology analysis, an arborist review, a geotechnical report and a “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” review.

The school district is moving forward with the Renton High School expansion project despite opposition from many in the community, including the For A Better Renton association, which accuses the project of being over budget and accuses the school district being “less than transparent or clear in the language they used in the bond that voters approved in 2023.”

“Had voters known they were voting ‘yes’ to destroy homes and businesses, 32 homes and 8 businesses to be exact — many who have been in this neighborhood for generations — we don’t believe the bond would have passed,” said For A Better Renton president Sheryl Friesz in an email.

Friesz added that an oppositional petition with signatures from “more than 500 residents, 28 businesses, and three associations” were delivered to the Renton School Board, Renton City Council and to Renton Mayor Armando Pavone.

“We don’t trust the school board or district to use our money wisely to improve student success,” she said.

The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Kohlwes Education Center 300 SW 7th Street in Renton.