Lake Chelan Schools' community survey prioritize MOE upgrades
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Chelan community members have ranked addressing facilities needs at Morgen Owings Elementary School as Chelan School District's highest facility priority.
A district Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) survey, gathered nearly 350 responses.
The committee is charged with proposing ways to maintain and improve school buildings to meet the changing needs of students, staff, and community.
The survey invited community members to share feedback on a variety of facility topics, including the future of Morgen Owings Elementary School (MOE), which was constructed in 1948.
"The survey results represent our community’s voice in this process and show the priority they place on finding a long-term solution to challenges facing the aging Morgen Owings Elementary School,” said Tom Jensen, a member of the Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC).
Survey respondents ranked addressing facility needs at MOE above other potential facility projects in the district. Other projects surveyed include accessibility, athletic, and career and technical learning space projects.
The Facilities Advisory Committee is researching a number of safety, classroom learning environments, and maintenance challenges at MOE.
● The building has no fire suppression sprinkler system and doesn’t meet other modern safety codes.
● The school does not have its own gym, so students have to cross a busy street daily 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 to other LCSD schools.
● Despite regular maintenance, aging infrastructure and pinhole leaks have caused major structural damage such as ceiling collapses.
● Due to aging rusty pipes, water from the elementary school faucets is sometimes brown and odorous. MOE uses special filters in the kitchen and drinking fountains to prepare water for cooking and drinking.
● Pipes at Morgen Owings Elementary are insulated with asbestos, making repairs more cumbersome and costly.
● Due to inadequate small group space, academic support sessions are often held in repurposed closet spaces.
● Preschool classes are being held in the basement of the alternative high school, instead of at the elementary school where our youngest learners could become familiar with school routines and staff before starting kindergarten.
Survey respondents indicated a preference for replacing the elementary school rather than renovating the existing building. While renovation is currently estimated to cost about 5% less than replacement, renovation would require bringing the facility up to modern safety and energy codes. Renovation would also require students to be relocated to portable classrooms during construction.
If an elementary school replacement is pursued, the Facilities Advisory Committee will evaluate potential school locations with a focus on student safety, long-term community needs, and fiscal responsibility.
Community input will help the Facilities Advisory Committee refine its focus on researching the facility priorities most important to the community as it develops recommendations for the School Board.
"After the bond measure didn’t pass in November 2025, we're narrowing our focus to align with community feedback," said School Board Chair Kim Thorpe.
"Morgen Owings Elementary School has been a part of the Lake Chelan community for generations," said Superintendent Brad Wilson. “We want to plan responsibly for the future while also preserving the traditions that make this school community special.”
Lake Chelan School District will share additional information on the Facilities Advisory Committee webpage and will be scheduling in-person and online informational town hall meetings in September.
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