Schools to receive state funding
OLYMPIA — Warden, Moses Lake and Othello school districts received state funding assistance grants to support construction projects.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction approved funding after viewing the district’s local bonds passed in the Nov. 2009 election. Added to nearly $435 million in capital bonds approved by voters in communities, the release of funds brings around $689 million into the state’s economy.
“With the economy still suffering, this money will help local districts not only create jobs, but ensure our kids have safe places to learn,” said Randy Dorn, superintendent of public instruction.
The school districts make plans for construction in anticipation of receiving state matching funds, which are released every July. Moses Lake received $7 million, Warden picked up $2 million and Othello received $8 million for two construction projects.
“We are glad the state was able to fund these projects despite the current economic climate they are dealing with,” said Monte Redal, Moses Lake School District deputy superintendent.
Moses Lake is using the state matching funds to build Park Orchard Elementary. Construction on the facility, located at Paxson Drive, began a few weeks ago.
“We budget every year in anticipation of the funds and we are very relieved they came through,” Redal said.
Othello School District is using its funds to complete the last two construction projects, which are the remodeling of Hiawatha Elementary School and Scootney Springs Elementary School. The district had five reconstruction projects supported by a bond in 2006.
The second of five construction projects reached completion this spring.
“Othello School District is continuing to grow and these new additions to our facilities will help offset the enrollment growth,” said Dwight Remick, Othello’s executive director finance and operations. “If the match hadn’t come through, we would have been forced to use local funds.”
Warden’s construction dollars match $900,000 in local capital project levy dollars to fund phase one of a two-year renovation project. The first phase is a remodel of the high school’s gymnasium, built in 1964.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the state match,” said Sandra Sheldon, Warden superintendent. “It’s important to do this because it’s vital for us to have upgraded facilities for our students so they can be safe and receive the best education possible.”
The gymnasium’s upgrades include storage areas, locker rooms, floor, ceiling, walls and updating electrical and mechanical systems. Bid documents are issued in the fall of 2010 with construction scheduled to begin by March, 2011.
“We’re very excited to start making improvements around the school,” Sheldon said. “These have been needed for many years.”
The second phase of the district project is the renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen building. The design part for the phase begins early 2011 with projected construction beginning in fall 2011.
The local funding is being provided by a three-year, $2.5 million capital projects levy approved by voters in Nov. 2009.