Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ webpage provides answers to common questions about the district's plans to relocate IDEA High School to the former Gault Middle School site and also sell the Park Avenue location, where IDEA is currently located. This resource is regularly updated to keep families, staff and community informed. If you have additional questions, email Planning & Construction at planning@tacoma.k12.wa.us or click the Share Feedback button to submit comments or questions to the district.

Building the new IDEA High School at Gault FAQ

Process

Q: When does the Design Advisory Committee (DAC) begin?
A: The DAC meetings will be scheduled in coordination with the design-build team once they are approved by the Tacoma School Board of Directors. Meetings are tentatively projected to start in the spring of 2026.
Q: Can students visit the site prior to design and construction?
A: The location of the former Gault school building is fenced off for security purposes, but students and the public may visit public areas and view the site from the publicly accessible side of the fence.
Q: How does the district determine how much will be spent on the new building and does inflation factor into this amount?
A: There are several factors involved with budgeting for a new school and equity is strongly considered in addition to the scale of the need for the new facility. Inflation is an important factor in determining the budget especially given the current construction environment. Progressive Design Build also allows TPS to better control costs and expectations.

Transportation & Parking

Q: Will there be dedicated parking for the school? If so, will these parking stalls be large enough to be usable?
A: Yes, dedicated off-street parking for staff and students is expected to be part of this school design. The exact number and size of the parking spaces will be determined by the City of Tacoma as part of the permitting process.
Q: Will Pierce Transit adjust their bus schedule to accommodate school times and student needs?
A: Pierce Transit is aware of the Fall 2028 shift and has confirmed Route 42 currently runs along McKinley with two stops less than a quarter mile from the school (stops 1453 and 1454 are 3 blocks from the site). The 42 picks up from central connection spots at both Commerce and the Tacoma Dome Station. Buses on this route run every 30 minutes. Current routes and schedules can be found online. Run times are subject to change every 6 months.

In addition to Pierce Transit routes, TPS currently runs two school buses going to IDEA with pick up/drop off hubs in Northeast Tacoma, Downtown Tacoma, West Tacoma and the Tacoma Mall.
Q: Will “L Street” be closed? (To prevent speeders in the neighborhood.)
A: Discussions about road closures or what street the main entrance of the school will face are part of the planning process when the Design Build team is hired and will be influenced by traffic safety, student and community safety, and the future of the field site, among other items. The ultimate decision would be determined during the design and permitting process in coordination with the City of Tacoma permitting staff.

Site Usage

Q: Will IDEA HS students have access to the grass sports field at the proposed site for IDEA?
A: The current sports field at the proposed site for IDEA HS will be part of the master planning for IDEA HS.
Q: Will a recreational water amenity be built as part of this school since the old pool was removed?
A: While a water amenity will not be part of the new IDEA high school’s portion of the former Gault site, the district is in active discussions with Parks Tacoma about potential uses it might have for other parts of the site as we work in partnership to invest in both students and the community.

The former Eastside pool at Gault was a partnership between the City of Tacoma, (Metro) Parks Tacoma, and Tacoma Public Schools, in part funded by a HUD Community Development Block Grant in 1982 and the Outdoor Recreation Account (now known as the Recreation and Conservation Office) of the State General Fund. The site operated as a pool until 2018 when it was closed due to its deteriorating condition and the opening of the new Eastside Community Center which contained a much larger pool facility.

In 2022, as part of the school district’s efforts to sell the property to a developer who could incorporate use of the original school building, a change of use request was approved by the City of Tacoma and the property has no further CDBG obligations. Also in 2022, the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board approved conversion of former grant obligations related to the Eastside Pool to a new spray ground and restroom at Parks Tacoma’s Portland Avenue Park as a replacement, which is in the planning stages now.
Q: Will there be an outdoor space for students to gather?
A: The details of outdoor spaces and uses will be determined in the design process but this type of feature is common in TPS properties.

General Questions

Q: How large is the site for Park Avenue and Gault?
A: Gault’s site is 7 acres and Park Avenue’s is 6.6 acres.
Q: Where can additional information for the project be found?
A: A press release has been distributed and the TPS website has a web page that will be updated with project information as applicable. https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/pc/gault-project-copy
Q: How can the public comment on the proposal to relocate IDEA HS to the site of the former Gault Middle School? https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/pc/gault-project-copy
A: Anyone can comment on this proposal by email to planning@tacoma.k12.wa.us or submitting a comment on the web page at https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/pc/gault-project-copy Community informational meetings will also be advertised on the website.
Q: How many students will be at the new school?
A: Enrollment is expected to be approximately 500 students.
Q: Is there a possibility students will be relocated to the new school prior to 2028?
A: Students are not expected to relocate to the new school prior to fall of 2028.
Q: Will the new school have safety and security features?
A: Yes, all schools are built, remodeled or improved with safety and security features.
Q: Will there be places for students to eat on and near campus for the new IDEA building?
A: Yes, adequate, and common spaces are expected for students to eat and congregate in the new building. There are also options to eat near campus.

Park Avenue Surplus FAQ

Process

Process

Q: What is the sales process for the current IDEA HS Park Avenue property.
A: Exact timing for the sale of the Park Avenue property will be determined in order to avoid interfering with student learning. While it may be advertised for sale prior to the opening on IDEA at a new location, any tours will not interfere with student learning or safety.
Q: What will be built at the current site of IDEA HS on Park Ave?
A: It is unknown at this time. Sales price may influence redevelopment feasibility, and that price is subject to an appraisal according to state law.
Q: What is the timing of the sale?
A: Surplus and sale activities may occur prior to relocation but student safety is the priority, and the property ownership will not be officially transferred until after students have relocated to the new site.
Q: Does TPS have to sell the property?
A: There are a number of factors that influence the decision to sell a property. Ultimately, it is the decision of TPS Board of Directors.
Q: Will the buyer of the property remodel the building?
A: That is unknown at this time and is expected to be determined once a buyer is selected and they complete their due diligence.
Q: Can this building be used as a multipurpose community center, like is proposed for the former Parkland School building?
A: That decision will depend on the buyer, their use and expected feasibility of the sale. Buyer’s typically purchase an entire property and subdivide parcels to their exact specifications.
Q: Can a buyer reuse the building?
A: Possibly. That will depend on buyer interest and availability.
Q: HB1110 is proposing requirements for rezoning to encourage middle income housing. How will that influence the development of this property?
A: Tacoma zoning is already being updated through Home In Tacoma and mid density housing is expected to be allowed on this site if desired.
Q: What is being done to address the misuse of the greenspace on this property?
A: Teachers, students and other staff actively work to clean and maintain the property. There are a significant number of student volunteers that pick up trash around the school property.
Q: Is there a way to honor the legacy of the building?
A: TPS is open to working with interested parties, possible buyers and the City of Tacoma on the best way to do this.
This may include signage, architectural features or other documentation that serves as a reminder of the building if the situation arises.
Q: Can the covered basketball court be preserved?
A: That will depend on the buyer.
Q: Can the community comment on their preference for buyers?
A: Yes, there are multiple formal and informal public comment opportunities.
Q: What is the process for historic registration?
A: Approval on the registry does not automatically improve the property’s opportunities for community use, adaptive reuse or prompt redevelopment. The City of Tacoma process can be found here: ttps://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/planning_and_development_services/historic_preservation/nominating_a_landmark#:~:text=Properties%20and%20districts%20are%20nominated,approximately%20four%20to%20six%20months

Contact

Alicia Lawver, Director,
alawver@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Joshua Jorgensen, Associate Project Manager, jjorgen1@tacoma.k12.wa.us

General questions: planning@tacoma.k12.wa.us