Naches
Naches, WA · Education
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Tri-City Herald
Richland to ask voters for $94M to improve Chief Joseph, River's Edge
Richland voters will be asked to approve a $94 million bond on the Feb. 9 special election ballot to modernize Chief Joseph Middle School, replace River’s Edge High School with a permanent modular building, and make districtwide safety and security improvements. The school board on Tuesday unanimously approved the ballot resolution that will come before voters. The decision comes two years after voters overwhelmingly rejected a bond package three-times larger that would have funded construction of West Richland’s first comprehensive high school. This new ask was informed by a voluntary “community facilities task force” that helped charter the future of Richland School District’s long-term facilities planning. Board Vice President Jill Oldson called these projects the “most pressing needs” for the district right now. “The whole goal and objective of this is to make sure that we are only asking the community for what we absolutely need,” she said. Board member Rick Jansons gave kudos to the community facilities task force, saying they spent half a year having “really thoughtful discussions” and researching the facility and needs. “I am confident that we are going to the community with what is needed in the district,” he said. Bond measures are different from
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
WSU Tri-Cities grad named head of WSU College of Nursing
A two-time WSU Tri-Cities alumna who has led the WSU system’s College of Nursing on an interim basis for the past year now has the job permanently. Anne Mason will be the permanent dean of nursing beginning Nov. 1 after internal reviews and meetings with external stakeholders, according to a release.
NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima
Heritage University in Toppenish receives $2.5 million to grow nursing pipeline
TOPPENISH, Wash. — Heritage University announced it received a $2.5 million federal grant to build a nursing pathway for rural students in the Lower Yakima Valley. The university said the four-year grant runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2030 to help rural, first-generation and low-income students from 11 area high schools move into Heritage’s nursing program and local health care jobs. President Christopher Gilmer said the funding will connect local students with education and employers close to home. “This grant allows Heritage University to build a stronger bridge between our rural high schools, higher education and the health care organizations that serve our communities,” Gilmer said. “We want students to see a clear path from their own communities to a college degree, a nursing career and an opportunity to serve the people and communities they know best.” Heritage said the project is called “A Case-Managed Pathway from Rural High Schools to Local Hospitals.” The effort is being led by nursing chair Dr. Shelby Clark and includes local schools, health care providers and workforce groups. The university said students will get advising in school, bilingual family outreach, campus visits, pre-nursing preparation and HESI A2 exam help. Once on campus,
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
Heritage receives $2.5M grant to expand nursing education
Toppenish-based Heritage University recently received a $2.5 million federal grant intended to create a new pathway for rural high school students to pursue four-year nursing degrees. The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant will support “a case-managed pathway from rural high schools to local hospitals,” according to a release from...
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
Pasco High grad named top teacher in Nevada
A Pasco High School graduate will compete to be the nation’s best teacher after being named 2027 Teacher of the Year in Nevada. Brooke Wheatley, who graduated as a Bulldog in 1998, is the second Pasco High graduate in the past two years to earn a state Teacher of the Year honor, according to a Pasco School District release. Fellow PHS graduate Gabriela Whitemarsh was named Washington State’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
eastwashingtonian.com
Pirates host Bulldogs for Wheat championship
RICHLAND–The Buccaneers, whose unbeaten streak ended in a nonconference double overtime loss to Liberty Christian last week, will host the Dayton Bulldogs for the SE1B Wheat Division championship with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Lybecker Field this Friday, October 23. The Pirates saw their undefeated 2026 string end in...
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
School improvements, renovations top districts’ priorities
With the 2026-27 school year underway, Tri-Cities’ three public school districts continue making capital improvements that set the stage for sustainable growth and ensuring that existing schools are equipped for learning needs today and into the future. After completing two high schools last year, Pasco School District turned its...
nbcrightnow.com
Parents Press Richland School District Board on Hiring Practices
RICHLAND, WA— Parents in the Richland School District are asking the school board for answers as it reviews the hiring process and job descriptions. As part of the review, RSD's board is overlooking compliance with policies involving investigations, IEP processes, safety regulations and other administration standards. At a Tuesday,...
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
Private colleges bolster their Tri-City presence
Two private Kennewick colleges welcomed students back to their new and improved campuses this fall. Heritage University and Pacific Northwest Christian College completed extensive renovations to the buildings they lease on opposite ends of town. Meanwhile, Columbia Basin College continues to pursue its new performing arts center and Washington State...
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tricitiesbusinessnews.com
Kennewick teacher named state Teacher of the Year
A Kennewick School District teacher has been named the 2027 Washington State Teacher of the Year. Kori Cannon, a multilingual learner kindergarten teacher at Westgate Elementary School, received the honor from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on Oct. 10. Cannon began her work in public education as a...
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
Officials work to develop road map for new STEM center
Columbia Basin College continues to work toward opening a new science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, learning center for all ages after receiving its largest philanthropic gift ever last year. However, an opening date for the Community STEM Learning Center, which will be located in a building formerly occupied...