The construction of Cougar Mountain Junior High came as a result of a bond passage in 2001 in the Bethel School District which provided for the creation of a new junior high and high school and several other construction projects in the district.
Cliff Anderson was chosen as the planning principal. He had previously been a principal in the Bethel School District at Spanaway Junior High. He worked for one year planning the construction of the school. Mr. Anderson hired a vice principal, Christine Moloney, a secretary, Jeanette Derosier, and a group of teachers to be part of a core planning team. These teachers along with Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Moloney helped determine the vision, equipment, and furnishings of the new school. The teachers included Al Barnes (Physical Education/Athletics), Dennis Haegle(Health/Physical Education), Jim Craig (Music/Fine Arts), Kim McCann (Counseling), Kevin Mensonides (Technology), Bill O'Malley (Social Studies), Paul Brenner (Communication Arts), Michael McIntyre (Science), Cynthia Reopelle (Physical Education/Athletics), Bud Russell (Mathematics), and Lonnie McCann (Humanities). Click here for more images.
Construction of the school began in August of 2002. The Architect for the school was Erickson McGovern P.L.L.C. The builders were the Absher Construction Company Inc. It took approximately 15 months to complete the school.
Cougar Mountain Junior High students first attended class in September of 2003. For two and a half months the new students were housed at Bethel Junior High while construction on the permanent building was being completed. Students had to attend classes in the afternoon while Bethel Junior High students attended classes in the morning. This "double-shifting" schedule was challenging for both schools. CMJH students had to eat their lunches in a large tent in the parking lot.
Students first attended class in the new building in November 2003. Only seventh and eighth grade students attended Cougar Mountain in its first year. There were approximately 550 students at CMJH for the 2003-2004 school year.
The building was officially dedicated at a community ceremony on March 13th of 2004.
February 2001 Bethel School District Board Of Directors
Joy A. Cook ( President), Kenneth J. Blair (Vice President), Dr. Jill Jacoby (Superintendent), Alice E. Dunn, Dennis S, Townsend, and Thomas C. Weathers.
November 2003 Bethel School District Board Of Directors
Kenneth J. Blair ( President), Dennis S. Townsend ( Vice President), Thomas G. Seigel ( Superintendent), Joy A. Cook, Alice E, Dunn, Susan G. Smith.
