Langley Middle School transition plans aim to preserve community uses

South Whidbey School District has moved forward with transition planning for the Langley Middle School property, engaging local agencies and community organizations to explore how the campus can continue to serve Island County residents. The district and partners say they are gathering information and weighing reuse options that prioritize public benefit, with details and any final decisions to be shaped through school board processes and community input.

Agencies involved in the effort include the Port of South Whidbey and South Whidbey Parks & Recreation, alongside community groups such as Island Shakespeare Festival. The Island County Historical Society has already begun archiving the school’s historical materials in the old administration building and is planning a research center to make records available to the public. Those moves make the site not only a candidate for recreational and cultural programming but also a repository for local history and civic memory.

The possible reuses carry direct implications for public health and equity on Whidbey Island. Maintaining or adding park and recreation space can expand opportunities for physical activity, outdoor programming, and mental health benefits, while cultural uses can bolster social cohesion and community resilience. Repurposing classrooms or common areas for social services, health clinics, or community meeting space could improve access for residents who face transportation barriers or limited options on the south end of the island.

Economic and social equity concerns are central to the conversation. The district and partners will need to consider accessibility, affordability, and transit connections so that any future site benefits older adults, families with children, veterans, and low-income residents. Decisions about leases, programming fees, and long term stewardship will determine whether the campus remains a shared public resource or shifts toward uses that exclude some community members.

The archival work underway by the Island County Historical Society anchors the transition in preservation and public access. Housing school records and planning a research center preserves institutional knowledge for students, families, genealogists and historians, and signals an intent to honor the school’s role in local life even as the property’s function evolves.

Next steps will move through the school board’s formal processes and include opportunities for community input. As plans advance, residents can expect public meetings and notices from the district outlining timelines, proposals, and how input will be collected. The outcome will shape a prominent piece of Langley real estate and influence where South Whidbey residents gather, learn, recreate and access services for years to come.