News Brief: June 19, 2025
New Early Learning Facility Construction Effort Underway

Groundwork
The complex process of building a new early learning facility in Valley is progressing well! This initiative is made possible by the community’s overwhelming support of the Construction Bond measure, which passed by 64.85% of voters in February. Thanks to the combined efforts of district residents, leadership teams, and excellent construction professionals, our vision of a safe, modern facility for our youngest learners will soon become a reality. The project is being paid for with district capital funds, substantial early learning grants, and Bond funds.

Supt. Dr. Mandi Rehn and finance director Jared Attridge have been diligently working with Project Manager Jonathan Miller and team from Turner & Townsend Heery to set the bond financial arrangements and hire the design/construction teams. They also gained state approval for proceeding with the project under the General Contractor/Construction Management delivery method. This approach involves early collaboration between the project manager, architect and contractor to streamline decision-making and improve costs, timelines and quality. 

The Building Team
NAC Architecture is designing the building and surrounding campus. Lead architect Melissa McFadgen specializes in early learning building design. VELC Director Candace Harris shared, “We are especially grateful to our architect, whose expertise and deep understanding of licensing requirements and the unique developmental needs of young children streamlines the process, ensuring that we will have the school we are all hoping for.”

From a field of 10 applicants, after campus visits, contractor input and interviews, Garco Construction stood out for their professionalism and extensive experience in school construction.

Feasibility studies of three potential sites for the building, considering efficiencies and ease of access to existing utility lines, infrastructures, traffic lanes and parking led the Board and the GC/CM team to select the existing site of the VELC portables and adjacent hillside for development. From Hwy. 231, passersby be able to observe the project’s progress throughout the next year.

Facility Design
With the building site selected, NAC principal architect Kelly Hendrickson and team have been meeting weekly with VELC Director Candace Harris and various staff and student groups to gather stakeholder input. Surveys and interactive design sessions conducted with youngsters have provided meaningful insights and ideas for shaping a highly functional educational environment within early learning program and workplace requirements.

The facility team collaboratively selected a “hillside treehouse” design, tucking a multi-level building into the existing topography. The general layout of the inside classrooms, service areas, outdoor green/play spaces, parking and traffic flow have been determined. The team is now shifting their focus to selecting construction materials, finish details, and aligning costs to fit within the project budget. The construction plans are on track for breaking ground sometime in August. This new educational facility will positively impact many generations of Valley students and families.