Il distretto richiederà una sovvenzione statale per modernizzare la struttura scientifica Wa-Hi

Walla Walla Public Schools is applying for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Pilot Project grant for up to $4 million from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to help modernize and expand its 53-year-old science classrooms and labs. The current facilities are overcrowded, have poor ventilation, no air conditioning and lack the equipment and space necessary for today’s curriculum and learning demands. This expansion will allow for increased STEM offerings schoolwide.

The 2015-2017 Washington State legislature established this pilot program and allocated $11,925,000 in grant funds. Districts are eligible if they lack sufficient space for science classrooms and labs to enable students to meet the class of 2019 graduation requirements of three science credits, two of which must be a science lab course. School districts are limited to one grant award of no more than $4 million. Walla Walla Public Schools would also be able to leverage state matching funds to make additional improvements to the existing 1963/64 science building.

“We are an excellent fit for this grant,” said Walla Walla High School Principal Pete Peterson, who is heading the application process. “Our labs should be three times the size of our current facilities and the infrastructure and much of the equipment is 53-years-old.”

One requirement of the grant application process is for the district to secure $100,000 in private funds as a community match. Peterson and a district team will be meeting with community leaders in the next two weeks to request funds.

“We are confident our community will step up for our students and help us with this community match,” said Peterson. “This is a great value for the community and would provide a modern facility to ensure we meet the needs of our students in the critical area of science.” 

To make a donation or learn more about the application process, contact Principal Pete Peterson at (509) 527-3020 or peterson@wwps.org.