Building to support construction & maritime trades at Vancouver Public Schools with the Endeavour Fund
Members of the community gathered Tuesday to break ground on the construction of a new building to support Vancouver Public Schools’ (VPS) students. This building will provide more space for the current construction trades magnet program and will also add a new pathway for VPS students to explore the maritime industry.
Mark Wreath, director of college & career readiness for VPS, said this about the project, “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this project. This new building symbolizes our communities commitment to equipping students with the skills needed for success after high school in the local workforce. Through the support of private donors, community partners, and our school district, we are creating pathways to family wage jobs for all students, ensuring a prosperous future for our community.”
“It has been inspiring to see the community rally to make this project a reality. We are acutely aware of how quickly this all came together. That in and of itself is incredible. Yet, without the financial support from the Endeavour Fund, this project would not have been able to come to fruition so quickly. We are so grateful and appreciative for the support from the Endeavour Fund,” comments Jenny Thompson, executive director of the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools (FVPS).
When we asked the Endeavour Fund why they chose to give so generously they said, “We strive to ignite positive change that prioritizes youth and educational opportunities. The Endeavour Fund works collaboratively, seeking to empower our community to generate platforms for future generations.”
In a time when we know we need more people to enter the trades workforce, seeing a new building like this come together is exciting to see. What makes this project so special is that FVPS and their partners were able to develop a roadmap for how other schools could also pursue a project like this too, with a quicker than usual turnaround.
The hope is that the new building at Hudson’s Bay High School will open for students this coming fall.
The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools is an independent, 501(c)3 educational non-profit corporation established in 1988 to support Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). Governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of business, community, and education leaders, the foundation creates opportunities to cultivate and inspire student success. As an educational non-profit entity, the foundation serves students at all 40 VPS schools and programs, providing direct aid to students facing learning barriers due to economic need, as well as financial assistance for learning enrichment and mentoring programs that cannot be funded by the school district. The Foundation for VPS is supported by donations from school employees, parents, students, community members, businesses and foundations.
Information provided by Vancouver Public Schools.
Also read:
- Opinion: Washington is bleeding taxpayers and now a State Representative wants to make it worse
Mark Harmsworth argues that a proposed statewide payroll tax would worsen Washington’s ongoing loss of jobs, businesses, and economic competitiveness. - Theater students overcome challenges for the love of their art at River HomeLink
River HomeLink theater students overcome an atypical schedule and lack of a stage as they prepare Descendants: The Musical for performances at Prairie High School. - Tix for Tots hosting original Nativity performanceA free Nativity performance and community event hosted by Tix for Tots will take place Dec. 20 in Battle Ground.
- Opinion: Simultaneous left turnsDoug Dahl explains how Washington law directs drivers to make simultaneous left turns by passing to the left of each other in an intersection.
- Opinion: WEA secret meeting about opposing the initiatives gets leakedAn opinion from Let’s Go Washington criticizes a leaked Washington Education Association meeting about opposing LGW’s initiatives on girls’ sports and school transparency.
- WA Gov. Bob Ferguson says his budget will rely on cuts, not taxes, to balanceGov. Bob Ferguson plans to balance Washington’s budget through spending cuts, rejecting sales and property tax increases amid a multi-billion dollar shortfall.
- City of Battle Ground implements electronic plan reviewThe City of Battle Ground launches eReview, an electronic plan review platform that streamlines permit submissions and improves transparency and efficiency starting December 1, 2025.
Hey VSD… who you gonna get to serve as instructors once this new building is finished????? You’re laying off a bunch of your current qualified (and licensed) instructors in order to balance your overblown, bloated budget. This is resulting in a significant cut to teachers in most (all?) of the academic areas including much-needed library-science professionals.
So just who is it that’s gonna teach in this new building… teacher-aides? the custodians? unlicensed volunteers?
I had high hopes for Jeff Snell, VPS Superintendent, but those hopes are quickly fading. He can’t figure out a way to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and history (the core purposes of public schools) without getting rid of licensed teachers. But he’s ok with this new undertaking? Jeff, oh Jeff… how did you lose your way so soon????