“Our high school campus needs facilities upgrades,” Superintendent Dr. Linda Rosenbury told The Leader.

The Lincoln Building, in particular, which was built in 1892, will be the focus of a study to determine whether the building will be restored or retired.

Community members, school district staff, their families and students will present facts and findings so the school board can make a decision on the building which hasn’t seen a student since 2008.

Dr. Rosenbury noted that in addition to HVAC upgrades, the building is seismically deficient.

“I don’t think we need more space right now and one of the potential plans is for an amphitheater. Also, the cafeteria here is not big enough to hold all the students and it’s not very welcoming,” she explained.

One plan to make the cafeteria more inviting includes installation of glass garage doors which could open to a courtyard.

“It’s kind of got a basement vibe right now,” she said.

Dr. Rosenbury said that the district enjoyed a 75 percent voter approval of their last levee.

“The retirees are supportive of our schools which is great but we need housing for young people who have children.

“If we add housing for 10,000 new people but they’re not of working age I don’t know how we can sustain our economy. We need to have great schools but we have to have the economy for it and I think that’s based on the housing situation here.”

The problem, she said, affects her ability to hire teachers and support staff.

It’s hard to come into Port Townsend at this stage. The top of the salary scale for a teacher is $112,000 a year but that’s for 20-plus years of work. The lowest-paid teacher earns around $56,000.

“We’re hoping new housing is affordable enough for families to support the expansion of our town. We need working-age people who hopefully have students, otherwise it’s hard to have a town that is so heavily retired,” she said.