Othello to consider constructing new high school

OTHELLO — Othello School District voters could be asked to consider a construction bond for a new high school in February 2018. The need for a new high school was the conclusion reached at a community meeting Monday.

The possibility of a new high school has been discussed for a while. A community committee met last spring to look at school population projections and what that would mean for the district.

Travis Goddard was the chair of that committee, and he said committee members determined it would be difficult to expand the existing high school. The existing site is too small to expand easily, he said, as it’s surrounded by developed property.

Chris Hurst took over the job of district superintendent in July. Hurst took the discussion in a different direction, Goddard said. “We may not have been answering the right question,” he said. The committee had been focusing on the building, but the community needs to think about what they want in terms of instruction.

Hurst said he wanted the community “to be aware of our current reality,” and then let the community decide where to go from there.

He showed achievement test results from 2014-15 and 2015-16, the latest available, measured against state averages. Othello gets close to state averages at some grade levels, and trends change a little from year to year. But “compared to the state, we’re just not there.” According to test data, about 80 percent of the children entering kindergarten are not ready, he said.

Hurst encouraged participants to think about the kind of curriculum district patrons want, at all grade levels. Parents and district patrons need to think about getting all kids ready for post-secondary training or jobs, making sure kids know how adapt as the workforce changes and developing their creativity and critical-thinking skills. Hurst talked about “what if,” what if Othello schools provided kids with knowledge about a wide range of careers and cultures, and focused on getting kids ready at all ages.

The participants broke out into groups to talk about different career paths and what parents and district patrons expected. Those included science and technology (STEM), arts, agriculture, business and “human services,” which included various careers, from teaching to law enforcement.

The groups were asked to come up with some conclusions. Some common themes emerged – kids should know how to communicate effectively, learn to be accountable, have access to current technology and high-quality equipment and curriculum. Kids need real-world experiences and to learn about life outside their community. The district should treat professional trades – and agriculture – as career choices equal with other professions.

Each group was also asked to vote whether it preferred to pursue a new and re-imagined high school, or a more comprehensive look at schools at all levels. About 50 percent of the participants voted for a new high school, but many people also asked for more time to think about the choices. Hurst said there would be time to discuss the challenges, and the choices.

But in the meantime groups will start working on different program options for a new high school, with the goal of making a recommendation to the Othello School Board by June. If the board opts for a bond, February 2018 would be the tentative election date.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.