Oakpointe Negotiations Recap
The District was approached by Oakpointe (Developer in Black Diamond/Ten Trails) in the Fall of 2023 to share their concerns about the District’s bond failure and the need to build a school in Ten Trails.
The district and Oakpointe agreed to partner in our efforts to explore creative/alternative funding solutions for building a school that would not require a bond or levy.
As recommended by the citizens’ advisory committee, ESD has continued negotiations with Oakpointe to explore the sale of a district asset within the development area, in combination with future mitigation fees, to finance the construction of a new elementary school in Ten Trails.
To ensure the project’s viability, the School Board authorized a feasibility study to confirm financial and construction assumptions. The study concluded that the project is feasible and aligns with district needs.
Enumclaw School District continues to make steady progress in its negotiations with the City of Black Diamond and Oakpointe to amend the Comprehensive School Mitigation Agreement. This proposed amendment represents an exciting opportunity made possible by the foresight of previous Enumclaw School District Boards and administrators who ensured that future school sites were included in the original agreement. That early planning now allows the district to pursue an innovative and fiscally responsible pathway toward constructing a new elementary school within the Ten Trails community.
It is important for our community to understand that the developer would not be “building a school for the district” or simply “providing funding for construction.” The district would fund this project by releasing its interest in a district asset, specifically, in the larger school site included in the existing agreement, in exchange for $40 million. In addition, the developer would finance up to $25 million, which will be repaid through mitigation fees owed to the district from the developer.
This would provide a secure and predictable funding model that preserves local control and avoids new taxpayer funding. The next step will be a formal review and agreement among all three parties, including the school district, the City of Black Diamond, and Oakpointe. Once that occurs, the proposed amendment will be presented to the Enumclaw School Board for consideration at an upcoming regular board meeting.
View the Full Presentation to the School Board Regarding the Proposed Amendment
View the article written by the Courier Herald
A Message from Dr. Carey
This week, our Board of Directors reflected on the importance of keeping promises to our community, ensuring every child in the Enumclaw School District has access to learning environments that foster growth and belonging.
During a recent meeting, the Board received an update on the potential construction of a new elementary school in Ten Trails, the rapidly growing neighborhood in the northwest corner of our district. Thanks to the foresight of a former superintendent and board members who secured land for future schools, our current leaders now have the extraordinary opportunity to make this project possible without adding financial burden to district taxpayers, a rare accomplishment among Washington school districts.
It should also be mentioned that in the Spring of 2025, the Board took proactive steps to refinance the 2015 Bond, saving local taxpayers $3.36 million.
These achievements and ongoing efforts reflect the creativity, collaboration, and commitment of our school board and district. As superintendent, I am proud to celebrate the forward-thinking leadership that continues to shape our district’s bright future, one that balances innovation, fiscal responsibility, and educational excellence for the benefit of all students.
With Sincere Appreciation,
Shaun