Rep. Peter Abbarno tours Kalama, La Center schools, meets with school officials

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, toured school district buildings and programs in Kalama and La Center on Thursday, Dec. 8, where he met with education administrators, as well as building maintenance and construction experts.

Abbarno's first stop was the recently replaced Kalama Elementary School (grades K-5), where state and local funds financed construction of a new school building.

He also visited Kalama Middle School (grades 6-8) and Kalama High School (grades 9-12), which were both recently updated.  

Later, the group toured La Center Middle School (grades 6-8), a brand-new school built in 2021 off Northeast Lockwood Creek Road.

The group concluded its tour at La Center High School (grades 9-12), a 31-year-old facility in need of renovation. 

“As a husband to a teacher with two school-aged children, making sure our students, teachers, and school administrators have a safe and secure learning environment is a priority,” said Abbarno. “These tours of new and old buildings allow for a great discussion about the educational needs from early learning to graduation and beyond.”  

The tours were organized by the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators (WAMOA), a professional organization dedicated to the management of maintenance and operations of educational facilities in Washington state. 

“Ending intergenerational poverty and creating successful communities begin with a quality education,” added Abbarno. “I am thankful to the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators for creating opportunities to learn more about the needs of our school districts and students.”

Kalama Elementary School

From left to right: Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Phil Partington, Southwest regional coordinator; Jennifer Steward, business manager, Kalama School District; Rep. Peter Abbarno; Eric Nerison, superintendent, Kalama School District; and Billina Dolezal, principal, Kalama Elementary School.

Kalama Middle School/High School

From left to right: Phil Partington, Southwest Washington regional coordinator, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) school facilities and organization; Jennifer Steward, business manager; Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Eric Nerison, superintendent; Jennifer McCallum, principal Kalama Middle School; Rep. Peter Abbarno; and Heidi Bunker, principal, Kalama High School.

Kalama Middle School/High School

From left to right: Jennifer Steward, business manager; Rep. Peter Abbarno; Jennifer McCallum, principal, Kalama Middle School; Phil Partington, Southwest Washington regional coordinator, OSPI school facilities and organization; Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Eric Nerison, superintendent; and Heidi Bunker, principal, Kalama High School.

La Center Middle School

From left to right: Phil Partington, Southwest Washington regional coordinator, OSPI school facilities and organization; Peter Rosenkranz, superintendent, La Center School District; Rep. Peter Abbarno; Lauri Landerholm, principal, La Center Middle School; and Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant.

La Center High School

From left to right: Peter Rosenkranz, superintendent, La Center School District; Mitch Denning, WAMOA consultant; Rep. Peter Abbarno; and Matt Johnson, principal, La Center High School.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov