Skamania School touts grant-funding building modernization

State and local elected leaders met at Skamania School last month to learn about how school leaders used state grant funds to modernize facilities without putting an additional burden on their local taxpayers.

“Skamania is a prime example of the value of utilizing grant funds to extend the life of its facilities,” said Skamania School Board chair Angus Anderson. “By sharing our approach with lawmakers, we hope to pave the way for state-sponsored facilities funding opportunities for other small, rural schools.”

Skamania School leaders were awarded a $3.8 million Washington State Modernization Grant in 2021, and with those funds made “critical” updates to their aging 75-year-old school building, including a new roof, new windows and doors, a new HVAC system, new plumbing, and and upgraded electrical and septic systems, according to the news release.

“These improvements added another 30 years to the life of the facility,” the news release stated. “With the grant award, Skamania dramatically improved the efficiency and longevity of the building.”

Elected leaders who traveled to Skamania included Sharon Tomiko Santos, Representative of the 37th District and House Education Chair; Steve Tharinger, Representative of the 24th District and House Budget Chair; Joel McEntire, Representative of the 19th District; Greg Cheney, Representative-elect of the 18th District; Paul Harris, Representative of the 17th District; Kevin Waters, Representative-elect of the 17th District; and Heather Lewis-Lechner, Senate Democrats Leadership Council

“It’s challenging to pass a school bond in the state of Washington, especially with the supermajority requirement,” Education Service District 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino said in the news release. “Skamania demonstrated that, in partnership with our CSG team, there are other ways to extend the life of school buildings without asking voters to pass a bond.”