BSD completes project for disabled students

When Bremerton Junior High School closed last year, some Bremerton School District (BSD) students were left without a place to go as the district struggled to meet its goal of educating students of all learning abilities.

Fortunately those displaced students didn’t have to wait long as district officials teamed up with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to create an improved learning environment for those students in need.

The results of that partnership will be unveiled to the public during a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at Bremerton High School as a new portable classroom has recently been completed.

“The additional classroom space was made possible by funds received from the Department of Social and Health Services as part of a facilities agreement between DSHS and BSD to increase space at Bremerton High School,” BSD Superintendent Bette Hyde said.

The students who reside at the Frances Haddon Morgan Center are Bremerton students. Having space available for them at Bremerton High School, which will allow the students to integrate into a larger environment, has always been one of the district’s goals, Hyde added.

The estimated cost for the portable including site preparation, equipment and classroom furniture was $250,000, she said.

“Partnerships are critical in supporting all students in our district,” she said. “We are pleased that agencies like DSHS and OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) have taken an interest in creating options for Bremerton students.”

The cooperative partnership provides additional space for all students to access within the high school and is the first such undertaking that involved a capitol projects venture, she said.

“This is a nice addition to the building that would be accessible for community use,” Hyde said.

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