Franklin Pierce Schools Explained

Franklin Pierce School District No. 402 or Franklin Pierce Schools is a school district headquartered in Parkland, Washington (the facility has a Tacoma mailing address).^[1]

The district includes the majorities of Parkland, Clover Creek, Midland, and Summit. Additionally the district includes portions of Summit View and Waller and several blocks of Tacoma.^[2]

History

In 1998 voters in the district voted in favor of a school bond. In 2016 the voters again voted in favor of a school bond, this time worth $157 million. The bond needed at least 60% of the vote to pass.^[3] In 2019 the district began building three elementary schools using 2016 bond money.^[4]

Facilities

It has a 10acres farming area for both generating food and as an educational tool. The district paid $44,000 to acquire the land in 1970.^[5]

Schools

High schools:

• Franklin Pierce High School
• Washington High School
• GATES High School

Middle schools:

• Morris E. Ford Middle School
• Perry G. Keithley Middle School

Elementary schools:

• Brookdale Elementary School
• Central Avenue Elementary School
• Christensen Elementary School
• Collins Elementary School
  • The original was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) building.^[6]
• Elmhurst Elementary School
• Harvard Elementary School
• Midland Elementary School
• James Sales Elementary School

Pre-school

• Hewins Early Learning

Notes and References

1. Web site: Home. Franklin Pierce Schools. 2022-08-05. 315 129th Street South, Tacoma, WA 98444. - Compare to the CDP map
   Also The News Tribune describes the district as being "Parkland-based': Example: "Teenage students in Midland get their hearts racing with STEM"
2. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pierce County, WA. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022-07-20. 2 (PDF p. 3).
3. Web site: Cafazzo. Debbie. After nearly two decades, Franklin Pierce likely has approved a school bond. The News Tribune. 2016-11-10. 2022-08-05.
4. Web site: Needles. Allison. What's that big construction project off Portland Avenue in Midland?. The News Tribune. 2019-10-18. 2022-08-05.
5. Web site: Cafazzo. Debbie. Franklin Pierce farm feeds young minds, along with the wider community . The News Tribune. 2017-03-03. 2022-08-05.
6. Web site: Cafazzo. Debbie. Franklin Pierce School District seeks $157 million bond to replace aging elementary schools and more. The News Tribune. 2016-10-11. 2022-08-05.