Wenatchee School District is accepting applications for the Wenatchee High School Design Advisory Committee, a diverse group of community members who will work with architects and district leadership to evaluate design concepts and help shape the future of WHS.

The district is partnering with Integrus Architecture, a Washington-based architectural firm, to facilitate the advisory committee and lead comprehensive outreach and engagement efforts to collect important feedback from stakeholders on the design of the proposed new high school.

About the Committee

The WHS Design Advisory Committee will review and provide input on critical design decisions, including whether to keep the existing gyms, pool, and auditorium or include them in a complete rebuild, as well as the positioning and layout of the building on the existing site.

Committee members will help ensure the future high school serves students, staff, and the community for generations to come by representing diverse perspectives and needs of the Wenatchee community.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help design a high school for the next 50 years in our community," said Superintendent Kory Kalahar. "We're looking for committed community members who bring diverse perspectives and are willing to engage thoughtfully with design concepts. Key decisions—like whether to preserve and incorporate existing facilities such as the gyms, pool, and auditorium, or how to position the building on our current site—will benefit enormously from community input. This committee's voice will be invaluable as we work to create a school that truly serves our students' needs."

Commitment and Timeline

Committee members must be able to attend approximately six evening meetings (6:00-8:00 PM) beginning in mid-March 2026. The committee will meet approximately every two weeks. Meetings will focus on reviewing design concepts, providing feedback on facility decisions and site layout, and discussing how various design elements support educational goals and community needs.

Who Should Apply

The district is seeking applicants who:

• Represent various aspects of the community (parents, students, staff, business owners, taxpayers, alumni, etc.)
• Can commit to attending six evening meetings
• Are interested in providing thoughtful feedback on design concepts
• Bring diverse perspectives and experiences
• Can work collaboratively with architects, district leadership, and fellow committee members

Application Process

• Application Deadline: March 4, 2026
• Notification Date: March 5, 2026
• First Meeting: Mid-March 2026

Applications are available on the district’s website

About the Design Process

The WHS Design Advisory Committee is one component of a comprehensive community engagement process that will include public input sessions, stakeholder meetings, facility tours, and opportunities for student, staff, parent and community feedback throughout the design phase.

Integrus Architecture will facilitate the committee's work and lead broader outreach efforts to ensure the design reflects the priorities and values of the Wenatchee community.

November 2026 Bond

Wenatchee School District is planning a bond for November 2026 to address the aging Wenatchee High School and HVAC replacement at seven district schools. The current WHS building, constructed in 1972, has been rated "Poor" (49.65 out of 100) in an independent facilities assessment and is operating at 104% capacity with core systems that have exceeded their designed lifespan.

Community input gathered through the Design Advisory Committee and broader engagement efforts will help inform the final design and project scope that will be presented to voters in November.