Rep. Peter Abbarno serves as “principal for a day” at South Ridge Elementary, underscores the need for stronger school support
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Rep. Peter Abbarno serves as “principal for a day” at South Ridge Elementary, underscores the need for stronger school support
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, recently served as “principal for a day” at South Ridge Elementary School, gaining a firsthand look at how rapid growth is shaping the daily realities for students and staff.
Abbarno joined Principal Tawny Malone for classroom visits, recess supervision, meetings, and hallway duties, moving across a campus that now serves about 780 students and relies on more than 20 portable classrooms. He said the experience reinforced the importance of lawmakers seeing school operations up close.
“Policymakers can’t craft good education policy from a conference room,” said Abbarno, House Republican Caucus Chair. “You have to be in classrooms, seeing what teachers and staff experience every day. That’s how you understand where the real challenges are and what solutions actually work.”
During the day, Abbarno observed professional learning community (PLC) meetings focused on student supports, visited the intensive needs program, and spoke with teachers about coordinating interventions for students with shared needs. He said the collaboration he witnesses reflects the commitment educators bring to helping every child succeed.
The visit comes as Ridgefield prepares to open a third elementary school and transition to a K-5 model in 2026 – changes expected to ease class sizes, reduce strain on the current footprint, and improve daily operations.
“These educators are doing an impressive job with the space and resources they have,” Abbarno added. “But growth like this requires the state to step up. Communities deserve modern, safe buildings that meet the needs of students and staff.”
He added that spending full days inside schools helps build better communications between lawmakers and districts and ensures more informed advocacy in Olympia.
“Visits like this are eye-opening and incredibly instructive,” Abbarno concluded. “They help me push for the support our schools need to deliver the best education possible.”
Read more in the article featured in The Reflector.
Photo courtesy of The Reflector.
