Menu
Cascadia Daily News
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Tiktok
Search
Close this search box.
Get unlimited local news and information that matters to you.
Subscribe Now

Gallery: Inside Lynden’s outdated 43-year-old high school

Students crowd into the Lynden High School Cafeteria on Jan. 9 during one of the school's two lunches.The 43-year-old school building is over capacity, and the community has not approved a $157.5 million bond to replace it and renovate other school buildings.
Students crowd into the Lynden High School Cafeteria on Jan. 9 during one of the school's two lunches.The 43-year-old school building is over capacity, and the community has not approved a $157.5 million bond to replace it and renovate other school buildings. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
A group of students eat their lunch in the hallway outside the cafeteria. The high school, built in 1980, was designed for 740 students. Today, just under 900 students traverse the halls, and the district anticipates 925 students by the 2029-30 school year – and more than 1,000 by 2039, according to its Capital Facilities Plan.
A group of students eat their lunch in the hallway outside the cafeteria. The high school, built in 1980, was designed for 740 students. Today, just under 900 students traverse the halls, and the district anticipates 925 students by the 2029-30 school year – and more than 1,000 by 2039, according to its Capital Facilities Plan. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Classrooms are overcrowded and yellow power cords snake through aisles to provide power to students' laptops.
Classrooms are overcrowded and yellow power cords snake through aisles to provide power to students' laptops. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Students play basketball in the beloved Jake Maberry Gymnasium. The gym was slated to receive an upgrade, if the bond had passed.
Students play basketball in the beloved Jake Maberry Gymnasium. The gym was slated to receive an upgrade, if the bond had passed. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
The school's backup generator from the early 1980s runs in a storage closet. When power has failed, the district has run servers off the historic piece of machinery.
The school's backup generator from the early 1980s runs in a storage closet. When power has failed, the district has run servers off the historic piece of machinery. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
A student enters a classroom during passing period. A majority of the classrooms on campus open to the outdoors, due to the pod-style design. There are more than 70 points of entry on campus, resulting in security concerns for students and staff, complicating the school's ability to respond to different safety threats.
A student enters a classroom during passing period. A majority of the classrooms on campus open to the outdoors, due to the pod-style design. There are more than 70 points of entry on campus, resulting in security concerns for students and staff, complicating the school's ability to respond to different safety threats. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Students walk through a courtyard from the main building to the pods containing exterior classrooms. Their pathway is also regularly used for deliveries and for garbage pickup.
Students walk through a courtyard from the main building to the pods containing exterior classrooms. Their pathway is also regularly used for deliveries and for garbage pickup. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
One of two single-occupancy bathrooms is housed in a closet-sized room leading directly out into the hallway.
One of two single-occupancy bathrooms is housed in a closet-sized room leading directly out into the hallway. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Papers and supplies cover almost every inch of available space in a staff room.
Papers and supplies cover almost every inch of available space in a staff room. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Students line up for lunch in the crowded cafeteria at the school.
Students line up for lunch in the crowded cafeteria at the school. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

At Lynden High School, years of wear and tear are showing. Yellow power cords snake through classrooms, between aging tables and creaky chairs, to provide enough power for students’ laptops — an issue not considered when the school was built in 1980. Old plumbing and electrical systems are failing, requiring ongoing replacement of pipes, outlets and fixtures, according to the district. Security is an ongoing concern, with campus buildings having more than 70 points of entry. A new high school is projected to cost $129.7 million. A bond put to voters on Feb. 13 by the Lynden School District seems unlikely to break the needed 60% votes in favor, according to initial votes counted.

About

Community

Advertise

Subscriptions

Connect

Facebook Brands-x-twitter Instagram Tiktok