School district near Kennewick seeks funding to ease overcrowding
What worked at Columbia Elementary School, near Kennewick, in the 1960s is not working so well in the 21st Century, hence a call for increased funding.
The school's current layout features classrooms that surround a multipurpose room. True to its name, the multipurpose room is used for a number of functions, from gym classes to music clasess. Meanwhile, noise from the room travels to the nearby classrooms, making teachers’ jobs more difficult.
The elementary school's principal, Ian Yale, has included the construction of a new gymnasium in the Columbia School District's $4.5m bond request. About 80% of the money raised by the bond would go towards building the new gym, as well as two new classrooms.
The new gym would be an addition to the existing school, and would not replace the current building. Over the years, the school has seen a number of additions, including one in the 1980s that double its size.
School districts can use mailing services to send information about bond requests and voting ballots to voters in the area. The mailings can not only inform voters of the changes being requested, but also allow them to cast their ballots.
The decision to add on to the school was the option that made the most sense to members of the school board. Another option that was suggested was sending fifth grade students on to the middle school, but that did not sit well with members of the community.
The vote on the bond is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 14 and ballots for it already in the mail.
The school's current layout features classrooms that surround a multipurpose room. True to its name, the multipurpose room is used for a number of functions, from gym classes to music clasess. Meanwhile, noise from the room travels to the nearby classrooms, making teachers’ jobs more difficult.
The elementary school's principal, Ian Yale, has included the construction of a new gymnasium in the Columbia School District's $4.5m bond request. About 80% of the money raised by the bond would go towards building the new gym, as well as two new classrooms.
The new gym would be an addition to the existing school, and would not replace the current building. Over the years, the school has seen a number of additions, including one in the 1980s that double its size.
School districts can use mailing services to send information about bond requests and voting ballots to voters in the area. The mailings can not only inform voters of the changes being requested, but also allow them to cast their ballots.
The decision to add on to the school was the option that made the most sense to members of the school board. Another option that was suggested was sending fifth grade students on to the middle school, but that did not sit well with members of the community.
The vote on the bond is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 14 and ballots for it already in the mail.