Port, city officials proclaim support for Washougal School District

The city of Washougal and Port of Camas-Washougal have issued proclamations of support for the Washougal School District, which is preparing to eliminate more than 200 staff positions, extracurricular activities and a variety of educational programs and services if its replacement levy requests fail later this month for a second time.

The proclamations do not specifically mention the school district’s replacement levies but, rather, highlight the value of the relationships the City and Port have developed with the local school district.

Washougal City Council members approved a resolution of support during their meeting on Monday, April 10.

“There are a number of recitals (in the resolution) that talk about the importance of a strong school district in our city and the importance of our continuing strong partnership with the district, including the George Schmidt ballfields, which is a great project on property owned by the school district that they’ve made available to the community for us to operate,” City Manager David Scott said during a council workshop session on Monday, March 27. “The resolution basically acknowledges that a strong district is vital to the success of our community and that our partnership is important, and that we express our support.”

The resolution states that the WSD was the first public school district to file with the Clark County Commissioners in 1852, “and ever since that time, it’s been a cornerstone in our community,” Scott said during the Council’s meeting on Monday, April 10.

Several council members spoke in favor of the resolution and the WSD during the meeting.

“To this day, I don’t think my oldest granddaughter would have graduated from high school had she stayed in Las Vegas,” councilwoman Molly Coston said. “Washougal (schools) gave her the kick that she really needed for self-confidence and socialization, (and helped her to) understand how academia works and how to succeed. Whether I have (relatives) in the school district or not, I’ll always support public education for that reason, because it shapes young people.”

Port commissioners approved a resolution of support during their meeting on Wednesday, April 5, citing the importance of strong schools in attracting future employers to east Clark County.

“At its heart, the Port is an economic development organization, and there is really nothing more important to economic development than education,” Port Commissioner John Spencer said during the meeting. “That’s where it all starts. I think this is an important resolution, and I’m very glad to support it.”

Port Commissioner Cassi Marshall, a former WSD employee, said “strong school systems are vital to attracting businesses to the area.”