The news comes as a welcome surprise to district leadership

WOODLAND – Woodland School District is celebrating a major financial win that will directly improve student safety and school infrastructure. Stacy Brown, executive director of Business Services, recently notified Facilities Director Neil Brinson and Superintendent Asha Riley that the district has been awarded $600,000 through the state’s Urgent Repair Grant program.

The news comes as a welcome surprise to district leadership. Brown had applied for a similar grant last year but was denied, making this year’s successful application a “wholly unexpected” victory for the community.

Vital projects get the green light

The $600,000 award is earmarked for two high-priority projects:

• Woodland Middle School: A full upgrade of the fire alarm systems to ensure modern safety standards.
• Columbia Elementary: Replacement and repair of a section of the building’s roof.

“These repairs would have been out of reach without this grant,” the district noted, emphasizing that these funds allow the district to protect its physical assets without pulling resources away from the classroom.

Persistence pays off

The successful award highlights the importance of persistence in school business operations. By reapplying after a previous denial, Stacy Brown and her team secured the necessary capital to address infrastructure needs that have been on the district’s radar for some time.

Asha Riley noted, “We have worked hard to preserve our buildings so they can continue to serve generations of students. However, time and daily use inevitably take their toll, and major capital projects, like replacing roofs that have reached the end of their intended lifespan, can be difficult to take on. We are thrilled and deeply grateful to receive this $600,000 award. Ensuring our students have a safe, dry, and secure learning environment is our top priority, but large-scale projects such as the Columbia Elementary roof and the Middle School fire alarm upgrades are a massive undertaking. Stacy’s persistence in pursuing this grant truly made the ‘impossible’ possible.”

Superintendent Asha Riley and the facilities team are now moving forward with the planning phases to ensure these repairs are completed efficiently, providing a safer and more secure environment for Woodland students.

Information provided by the Woodland School District.