District news
Board declares emergency to replace Lakota Middle School fire alarms
What happened
Federal Way’s board declared an emergency and approved bypassing competitive bidding to replace Lakota Middle School’s fire-alarm system after lightning damaged part of it. District staff and South King Fire said the system needed immediate replacement.
Why it matters to families
The board’s resolution describes the damaged system as an immediate threat to essential functions, making this a documented school-safety risk rather than routine maintenance.
The evidence
Resolution 2026-15 says a July 15, 2026 power surge from lightning disabled portions of Lakota Middle School’s fire system. It says the system must be immediately replaced and updated to current fire code, and the board approved waiving formal bidding requirements for the work.
The source
September 29, 2026 board meeting recordingSee the full record for Federal Way School District.
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