Rep. Peter Abbarno discusses funding for school buildings on Napavine school tour
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Rep. Peter Abbarno discusses funding for school buildings on Napavine school tour
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, recently toured Napavine School District buildings as part of the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators (WAMOA) legislative school visits.
“Napavine teachers, staff, and administrators are doing an amazing job educating our children,” said Abbarno, member of the House Capital Budget Committee. “Unfortunately, the population is outgrowing the building space, and too many students are learning in portables. Washington can, and must, do a better job providing safe learning environments and eliminate the funding gap between property-poor and property-rich districts.”
Napavine High School, originally built in the 1980s, offers a comprehensive Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, including culinary, metal, welding, and small engines. Their FFA program is popular with students. Throughout the campus, the group observed a positive school climate where students are valued as productive, independent learners.
“There are a lot of communities educating students in outdated buildings and portables,” said Abbarno. “For too long, the state has allowed a growing disparity in education facilities, and it is property-poor districts that are falling further behind. I am committed to working on a state solution without creating unnecessary financial burdens on local property owners.”
Napavine School District is comprised of three schools on the same campus: Napavine Elementary School houses 396 students, Napavine Middle School’s enrollment is 150 students, and Napavine High School educates 400 students. A challenging feature about the district is that the middle school is housed in portables in the center of the campus, and the facilities are too small for the growing population.
“Washington can help relieve the financial burden on overburdened communities by investing in education at the state level,” Abbarno added. “A larger state investment will help create successful opportunities for local funding. Our students and teachers in Napavine deserve those investments.”
