ESD received grants to reimburse for roof work, improve cyber security
Published 10:15 am Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The Enumclaw School District recently received grants to reimburse the district for work on an elementary school roof and upgrade indoor air quality and cyber security.
The district announced it received more than $785,000 total from three grants on May 21.
Most of the money, about $377,000 from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Urgent Repair Grant fund, will reimburse the district for work it completed on the Byron Kibler Elementary School roof.
“…[O]riginally built in 1953, has required ongoing roof maintenance as the roof has exceeded its expected lifespan,” the district said in a press release. “Despite patching and repairs, leaks continued to affect the learning environment and required frequent attention.”
Affecting the learning environment might be putting it lightly – teachers, staff, and parents have complained about ruined books and art projects on the walls, as well as needing buckets in the hall to catch drips.
ESD began working on the school roof after the April 2025 “critical maintenance” levy was note approved by voters.
Tax revenue from the levy would have funded a full roof-restoration; without those funds, the district opted for a “reduced-scope” restoration project that focused on the “most critical areas” of the roof.
“The project was designed to stop regular leaks and extend the useful life of the roof for at least the next five years,” ESD said. “The work included replacing damaged insulation, resealing seams, reinforcing drains, and applying protective coatings. The completed work includes a five-year warranty on the restored roof sections, along with annual inspections.”
A full restoration with levy funds would have extended the roof’s life by ten years or more.
Voters also rejected two bond measures in 2023 that would have, in part, replaced Byron Kibler.
Another $271,000 was granted to ESD to help the district access its indoor air quality across all its buildings to identify any needed improvements to venting systems, air flow, filtration, and overall environmental conditions.
Finally, a $128,000 grant through the FY24 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program will help the district improve its firewall systems better identify and respond to potential cyber threats, and a further $8,700 for email phishing training for staff.
“These grants help us address necessary work while reducing pressure on local resources,” said Phil Engebretsen, ESD Director of Facilities, Operations and Athletics. “We are grateful for this funding and for the opportunity to complete work that supports both day-to-day operations and long-term district stewardship.”
