BELLINGHAM - The potential closure of Larrabee Elementary School and other recommendations for projects in the Bellingham School District will be the focus of a public forum hosted by Bellingham Superintendent Greg Baker Tuesday, March 19.

Baker will gather public input about the district facilities task force's recommendation for building projects over the next 10 years. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Whatcom Middle School, 810 Halleck St.

The task force recommendations include building a new Sehome High School; building a new high school for Options and other students; building a new district office; closing Larrabee Elementary, renovating Lowell and rebuilding Happy Valley Elementary; modernizing the bus barn; and doing preventive maintenance.

By the end of this school year, district staff will come up with priority projects for a bond that district residents can vote on in November.

Baker has met with and will continue to talk with Larrabee PTA members and staff, and he plans on talking with families and staff at Lowell and Happy Valley during March. His goal is to make a decision about Larrabee's closure by early spring.

Baker will host a meeting for Larrabee families at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the school.

Reach Zoe Fraley at 360-756-2803 or zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com. Read her school days blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/schools or follow her on Twitter at @bhamschools.