Community feedback helps committee narrow focus to the aging elementary school

information released

After months of research and community input focused on the future of Lake Chelan School District facilities, the Lake Chelan School District Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) has presented a recommendation to the Board of Directors to replace the 78-year-old Morgen Owings Elementary School (MOE) building.

This fall, the district and FAC conducted a statistically representative phone survey to gather community input on school facility needs. The survey followed an online community survey conducted by the committee in the spring, which gathered nearly 350 responses.

“We heard from our community listening sessions that the aging elementary school is where our focus should be,” said Stephanie Fuller, LCSD School Board Vice-Chair. “That feedback helped shape a more focused, fiscally responsible approach centered on Morgen Owings Elementary.”

MOE was built in 1948, just after the end of World War II. The age and condition of the current elementary school facility create safety, maintenance and learning challenges.

“As we looked closely at the elementary school, it became clear how much has changed since this building was constructed nearly 80 years ago,” said Joe Harris, CHS graduate and retired teacher and coach.

Workers clear the area for Morgen Owings Elementary School in 1947. The school opened in 1948.

Addressing Safety Challenges at Morgen Owings Elementary School

The FAC identified several safety concerns with the existing facility:

  • The building does not have a fire suppression sprinkler system and does not meet other modern safety codes.
  • Morgen Owings Elementary does not have its own gym. Students must cross a busy street to participate in physical education at the Community Gym.
  • The school’s busy downtown location has resulted in more frequent use of lockdown procedures compared with other Lake Chelan School District schools.

Aging Building = Costly Maintenance

Despite routine maintenance, the age of MOE creates maintenance challenges. Aging infrastructure and pinhole leaks have caused major structural damage, including ceiling collapses. Rusting pipes can also cause water from elementary school faucets to sometimes appear brown or have an odor. The school uses special filters in its kitchen and drinking fountains to prepare water used for cooking and drinking.

In addition, pipes at Morgen Owings Elementary are insulated with asbestos-containing material, making repairs more cumbersome and costly.

Classroom and Learning Space Limitations

MOE lacks adequate space for small-group instruction, resulting in some academic support sessions being held in repurposed closet spaces.

Preschool classes are currently located in the basement of the alternative high school rather than at the elementary school.

Bringing preschool students onto the elementary campus would give the district’s youngest learners an opportunity to become familiar with elementary school routines, spaces and staff before they enter kindergarten.

Morgen Owings Elementary School in 1949. The building has been used continuously since 1948, just after the end of World War II.

Why the FAC Recommends Rebuilding on Apple Blossom Drive

“We looked closely at both remodeling and rebuilding Morgen Owings Elementary,” said the Facilities Advisory Committee in a joint statement. “Given the age of the building, the work required to bring it up to modern code requirements, cost comparisons, and community survey feedback, we recommend rebuilding.”

“It’s important to us that we make a recommendation that addresses safety and facility needs at the elementary school, while also keeping the local school tax rate well below the Chelan County average,” said Tom Jensen, FAC member and Co-Director of the Rotary Book Buddies program. Estimates indicate that renovating the existing school would cost approximately 5% less than replacing it, but would not address all the safety, maintenance and learning challenges identified by the FAC. Survey results overwhelmingly showed support for replacing the aging facility.

The Facilities Advisory Committee researched potential school locations with a focus on student safety, long-term community needs, and fiscal responsibility. The FAC recommends building on a location on Apple Blossom Drive to avoid relocating students to portable classrooms during construction. Students would continue to attend school in the existing building during construction and move into the new school when construction is complete.

Rebuilding on the Apple Blossom Drive site would move the elementary school away from the highway to improve student safety. The property also has more space for a building that meets student needs for academic and outdoor space.

Community input guides next steps

The work of the FAC will help Lake Chelan School District and its Board of Directors evaluate next steps and make informed decisions about the future of district facilities. Lake Chelan School District will continue sharing information on the Facilities Advisory Committee webpage.

Tour the elementary school and learn more about this recommendation: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. MOE Library

About the FAC

The Facilities Advisory Committee is made up of Lake Chelan parents, community members, school staff and business owners. The FAC’s recommendation is part of Lake Chelan School District’s effort to respond to community feedback following the November 2025 bond measure and plan responsibly for the district’s long-term facility needs.

About The Lake Chelan School District

Established in 1892, Lake Chelan School District serves nearly 1,200 students with 97 percent of its students graduating in four years and more than 78 percent of high school students enrolled in no-cost, college-level coursework (OSPI data). The district’s headquarters is located at 309 E. Johnson Ave., Chelan, WA 98816. Telephone: (509) 682-3515. Follow the LCSD on Facebook, Instagram or view the LCSD website at: www.chelanschools.org