A new school for Othello

A school is the focal point of a community where learning, children and the town converge for the common goal of education.

Othello, a community of about 7,364, just celebrated the opening of Wahitis Elementary School on 14th Avenue. It is the town's fourth public elementary school and was much needed to alleviate classroom crowding.

Before the school was opened, there was a significant use of portables for students. As a result, the facilities committee was committed to putting students in a real building, according to Wahitis Principal Pete Perez.

On Wednesday, Perez said school officials had a positive start to the school year. But he acknowledged that transitioning families from building to building was a challenge and assigning kids to schools was the most labor intensive.

District officials were tasked with communicating that message to parents with community forums and home mailings.

District boundaries were redrawn, with work starting at the beginning of the last school year. "Everyone's been positive and helpful in making that transition," Perez said.

Parent communication was modeled by the Moses Lake School District's approach used when it was preparing to open new two grade schools, Perez explained.

He acknowledged the help of school district employees in Moses Lake and Pasco. They answered questions when Othello officials were researching the best ways to move staff and assign students to buildings.

Perez explains the Othello School Board did well at communicating the changes to the community and highlighted the board and district office's leadership.

The new school serves students in the area between Scootney Springs and state Route 26, following the town's growth pattern.

He said he thinks Othello residents are impressed with the quality of the building, which was funded with a $14.5 million voter-approved bond.

Before Wahitis was completed, the next newest school was Scootney Springs, built in 1969.

We commend the Othello School District and its taxpayers for having the foresight to fund, plan and complete the new school. The investment was significant for the future of students and the community.

- Editorial Board