Lawmaker says one of his top priorities is to ‘do more to ensure our students have access to safe, modern school facilities’
State Rep. Peter Abbarno joined school administrators, staff, and architects Wednesday on a tour of educational facilities in the Woodland and Ridgefield school districts.
Abbarno’s first stop was Woodland Middle School. Officials said the district needs a fourth elementary school, as well as significant upgrades to all or part of these schools.
Next, he visited Columbia Elementary School in Woodland, where the district expects to have more than 670 new housing units over the next five years.
The tour capped off with a visit to Ridgefield High School. With a lack of bond funding, the district has taken a phased approach to upgrades for this school, which has a mix of old and new buildings.
“We must do more to ensure our students have access to safe, modern school facilities. That’s one of my top priorities,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia, ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee. “As a legislator, husband to a teacher, and father of two school-aged children, these tours offer a great opportunity to meet with school administrators, teachers, and students about how to best serve the educational needs of the next generation.”
During the 2023 legislative session, Abbarno was instrumental in developing the 2023-25 capital budget, Senate Bill 5200, which directed $872 million for K-12 education.
The tours were organized by the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators (WAMOA), a professional organization dedicated to the management of maintenance and operations of educational facilities in Washington state.
“Education is the great equalizer. The best investment the state can make to end the cycle of intergenerational poverty is education,” added Abbarno. “I appreciate all the hard work of the folks at the Washington Association of Maintenance and Operation Administrators that went into sponsoring this tour.”
The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to convene on Jan. 8.
Also read:
- State Representatives McClintock and Ley answer questions at town hall in Battle Ground
Residents voiced rising concerns about property taxes, school funding debates, the impact of new income tax legislation, and major costs tied to the Interstate Bridge plan. - As Washington gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins
Opponents are organizing lawsuits and potential ballot measures to challenge the new 9.9% income tax on Washington households earning over $1 million. - Battle Ground Police arrest suspect in fatal 2025 crash
Laboratory results from a blood sample collected in 2025 provided probable cause for police to arrest Michael T. Smith, more than a year after the Battle Ground crash. - Vancouver Police seeking missing person
Vancouver Police are searching for 62-year-old Carrie Ann Winters, who was last known to be near Frenchman’s Bar in west Vancouver. She has distinctive tattoos. - VIDEO: WA diesel hits record $6.53, crushing truckers and school budgets
With diesel nearing $6.53 per gallon in Washington, trucking businesses and school districts now confront sharply higher fuel expenses affecting budgets and workers. - WA’s status solidifies as one of the most expensive places in US
A new study shows Washington outpaces most states on cost of living, with metrics revealing a sharp rise in daily expenses and major metro areas ranking among the nation’s most expensive. - Opinion: Someone explain the Democrat Party to me please
Lars Larson criticizes Democrat politicians for shutdown threats, Homeland Security funding refusals, and positions on election laws, housing, and gun rights.
