New Orting Elementary School design reaches a major milestone
Orting School District — Construction · September 17, 2026
Rendering: Orting School District
On September 17, Orting School District announced that the new Orting Elementary School has reached a major design milestone. Voters approved the $137.2 million construction bond that pays for the school in November 2025.
The district's August 20 construction update to the School Board shows where the project stands:
- Permits: the site plan permit went to the City of Orting on Aug. 17, the foundation permit is due Nov. 6, and the building permit is due Dec. 18. Most approvals are expected between March and June 2027.
- Bidding: the first bid package (site work, foundations, structure and building systems) is set to go out Jan. 22, 2027. The district expects work to start around March or April 2027.
- Opening: the district is "exploring the potential for a 2028 school opening date."
- Cost: the schematic design estimate (an early-stage price) is $81.2 to $83.4 million for construction. The district estimates the state will cover $11.1 million and says that share could go as high as $17.1 million. It expects that figure to be confirmed in January 2027.
The bond also added a competition-size gym with bleachers, a lighted competition-size field, a backup generator and more transportation improvements to the elementary project. The district says work on the high school's new career and technical education (CTE) wing would start after Orting Elementary students move into their new building.
