Washougal, WA — Washougal School District (WSD) has made significant progress in improving its financial health, and the district is no longer listed as a district with a financial warning on the OSPI Financial Health Indicator list. This improvement reflects the district’s commitment to sound financial management, using community feedback to guide budget adjustments, and achieving long-term fiscal stability. The district’s OSPI School District Financial Health Indicator has increased from 1.55 in the school year 2022-23 to 2.6 in 2023-24.
The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) assigns financial health scores to each school district in the state based on key indicators including the ending fund balance to revenue ratio, expenditures to revenue ratio, and cash on hand. Previously, WSD’s 2022-23 score placed it in the “financial warning” category, prompting the district to take proactive measures to stabilize its financial position.
Superintendent Aaron Hansen emphasized the district’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship, stating, “we recognized the urgency of addressing our financial situation and took deliberate steps to stabilize our budget. We asked for community feedback to guide reductions, and led with reductions in areas furthest from the classroom. While challenges remain, we are on a positive trajectory and committed to being strong stewards of public resources. We are thankful for our positive relationship with our labor partners and their help supporting staff impacted by the reductions.”
Next Steps for Continued Financial Stability
As WSD continues working toward long-term financial health, the district is implementing the following strategies to further strengthen its fiscal position and regain the full confidence of the community:
Restoring the Fund Balance to 6% – The district remains committed to meeting its 6% fund balance policy, which provides the operational cash flow the district needs to pay bills each month as well as handle unexpected financial challenges.
Advocating for Increased State and Local Funding – Given regional funding challenges, WSD is actively engaging with legislators and encouraging the community to advocate for changes in education funding to keep pace with inflation, fully fund special education, and fix the prototypical staffing model.
Demonstrating Fiscal Responsibility – The district is reinforcing its commitment to financial transparency by providing monthly financial updates to the Board and implementing clear financial reporting to ensure informed decision-making.
Developing a Long-Term Financial Plan – WSD is focused on building a multi-year financial strategy that ensures long-term stability, reduces the risk of future budget deficits, and sustains quality educational programs for students.
Commitment to Transparency and Board Engagement
At the request of the Washougal School Board, the district has increased the frequency and depth of financial reporting to ensure Board members remain fully informed. WSD now provides monthly financial updates, giving real-time insights into revenues, expenditures, and fund balance trends.
“The board is being provided with financial information in a clear, concise format to support our governance and decision-making,” said Sadie McKenzie, WSD School Board President. “The board appreciates the ideas shared by the community and has worked closely with the Superintendent to make sure we are preserving excellent programs for students as we create a sustainable budget.”
As WSD continues working toward long-term financial stability, district leaders remain committed to collaborating with the Board, staff, and community to make informed, responsible financial decisions that support student success.
Camas, WA — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has received approval to begin early construction work on the site of the future Vancouver Washington Temple. With the necessary permits in place, crews will start clearing the land, installing essential utilities, and realigning Bybee Road to accommodate the temple’s construction. These initial steps will prepare the site for further development and ensure proper infrastructure is in place.
“The commencement of this work marks an exciting milestone in the process of building a house of the Lord in the Vancouver area,” said Elder Gordon L. Treadway, Area Authority for the Church. “This sacred place will be a tremendous blessing for the many Latter-day Saints in the area and throughout Southwest Washington. We are grateful for the ongoing support and collaboration from the city of Camas.”
The building permit and design work for the Temple is ongoing, and while an official groundbreaking date has not yet been announced, an announcement regarding the groundbreaking will be forthcoming.
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are considered sacred places of worship, where members participate in religious ordinances that strengthen their faith and family bonds. The Vancouver Washington Temple will serve Latter-day Saints in the region, providing a place of peace, worship, and spiritual growth.
Further updates, including the groundbreaking date and additional construction milestones, will be announced as the project progresses.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/10145754/IMG_3667.jpeg720960lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-03-10 17:44:022025-03-10 17:44:11Preliminary Work Begins on Vancouver Washington LDS Temple Site
When starting a business, choosing your business structure is one of the most critical decisions you’ll face. While many entrepreneurs automatically gravitate toward forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company), this one-size-fits-all approach might not be optimal for your situation. Your choice of entity will affect everything from your tax obligations and personal liability to your ability to raise capital and plan for succession. Making the wrong choice could expose you to unnecessary risks or burden you with excessive taxes and administrative requirements.
Understanding Tax Implications Across Different Structures
Each business structure comes with distinct tax treatment that can significantly impact your bottom line. As a sole proprietor, for instance, all business income passes through to your personal tax return, where you’ll pay income and self-employment taxes on your earnings. While this arrangement offers simplicity, it could come with an increased audit risk.
An LLC offers more flexibility in tax treatment than just defaulting to sole proprietorship/pass-through treatment. A single-member LLC can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, while multi-member LLCs can be taxed as partnerships. However, an often-overlooked option is to tax your LLC as an S Corporation, which can provide significant tax savings once your business reaches around $60,000 in annual revenue. With S Corporation tax treatment, you only pay payroll taxes on your actual salary, not on your profit distributions, potentially saving around 15% in payroll taxes on those distributions.
One crucial consideration with S Corporation tax treatment is the requirement for “reasonable compensation.” The IRS requires S Corporation owners to pay themselves a reasonable service salary before taking profit distributions. What constitutes reasonable compensation can be subjective, but getting it wrong could result in serious consequences, including reclassifying all distributions as wages subject to employment taxes and potential penalties of up to 100%.
Beyond Basic Liability Protection
While liability protection is often the primary reason entrepreneurs choose to form an LLC or corporation, each structure offers different levels and types of protection. For instance, professional corporations (PCs) can provide specialized protection for licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, and accountants. Series LLCs allow real estate investors or entrepreneurs with multiple business lines to create separate “series” within one legal entity, each with its liability shield.
C Corporations, despite their reputation for complex administration and double taxation, can offer unique advantages for businesses generating significant profits because a C Corporation structure allows for sophisticated planning opportunities (the nature of which is outside the scope of this article, but book a call with me to learn more). The current corporate tax rate of 21% can also be advantageous for businesses reinvesting profits into growth.
However, C Corporations face double taxation, where profits are taxed first at the corporate level and then again when distributed to shareholders as dividends. This is why many smaller businesses opt for pass-through entities like S Corporations or LLCs, where profits are only taxed once at the individual level.
Making Your Decision with Growth in Mind
When choosing your business structure, consider where it is today and where you want it to be in five or ten years. Will you want to bring in outside investors? Are you building a company to sell or creating a legacy to pass down? Do you plan to expand internationally? These plans should heavily influence your choice of entity today.
For example, if you plan to seek venture capital funding, a C Corporation might be more appropriate despite its higher administrative complexity. Venture capitalists prefer C Corporations due to their flexible stock structure and familiar operating requirements. Or if you’re a solo professional service provider expecting steady growth, an S Corporation election could offer better long-term tax advantages than a simple LLC.
Remember that certain structures have specific requirements that might affect your future flexibility. S Corporations must meet several criteria, including:
Having no more than 100 shareholders
All shareholders must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Can maintain only one class of stock
Must be a U.S. corporation
All shareholders must consent in writing to the S Corporation election
Shareholders must be individuals, estates, or certain qualified trusts
Additionally, consider the administrative burden each structure requires. While sole proprietorships and partnerships offer simplicity in formation and operation, corporations and S Corporations require more rigorous record-keeping, regular meetings, and documentation when choosing; factor in these ongoing requirements, as they represent both time and monetary costs to your business.
Finally, to maximize the benefits of the right business structure for your business, make your decision with your eyes wide open – educated about and aware of all available options. The stakes are too high to go at it alone; you need a knowledgeable, trusted advisor on your side.
The Advisor You Need When Decisions Matter
As your trusted LIFTed Business Advisor and attorney, I understand that choosing the proper business structure involves carefully weighing multiple factors, from tax implications to growth plans. That’s why I offer a comprehensive LIFT Business Breakthrough Session™, during which we’ll analyze your current and future needs to help you make the best choice for your unique situation. Together, we’ll develop a plan that protects your business today and positions it for the growth and success you envision for tomorrow.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07142039/2-10-Instory-1.png250970lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-03-07 14:30:272025-03-07 14:30:36Choosing the Right Business Structure: Beyond the Basic LLC
VANCOUVER, WA — The Clark College Treble Ensemble & College Chorale under the direction of Dr. Jacob Funk, present their Winter Concert on Thursday, March 13, 2025, 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 401 E 33rd St, Vancouver, WA. The admission is free and open to the public. Donations to the Clark College Choral Fund accepted at the door.
The Treble Ensemble will start the concert with a varied set of choral octavos. Included in that set is a piece by our Music Department Chair Dr. Appert titled “A Red, Red Rose.” Other pieces include some Renaissance polyphony, an original setting of the Korean folk song “Arirang”, and a rousing/complicated arrangement of kid’s songs the likes of which you’ve never heard! Next on the program is The Chorale. There are two main themes in this portion of the program—love and water. The first three pieces are filled with joy and pain and features the music of Alec Powell, Jay Rouse, and Gwyneth Walker. The last four pieces are loosely tied together with mentions of water: “Sweet Rivers” by Washington composer Reginald Unterseher, “MLK” by Chilcott, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Podd, and “In Time of Silver Rain” by Dilworth. Please come out and join these musicians for a wonderful night of beauty.
Dr. Jacob Funk is the Director of Choirs at Clark College where he conducts three choirs in addition to teaching theory, ear training, music appreciation, rock history, and applied voice. Jacob completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Missouri—Kansas City where he was a Graduate Assistant to the Choral Department, Associate Conductor of the Conservatory Concert Choir and co-conductor of the University Singers. While at UMKC he also served as Opera Chorus Master and the director of Canticum Novum. Dr. Funk earned his masters in choral conducting from the University of British Columbia, and his undergraduate degree in vocal performance from John Brown University. Before coming to UMKC he was on the music faculty of John Brown University and Northwest Arkansas Community College, where he taught choir and voice.
A native of South Korea, Dr. Jeongmi Yoon is a pianist, educator, and adjudicator. As a soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician, she has performed in numerous cities within the United States, China, and South Korea. She has participated in masterclasses with: Richard Goode, Gilbert Kalish, Julian Martin, Arnaldo Cohen, Natalya Antonova, Susan Youen, Roy Howat, Robert Beaser, Dana Brown, and Alan Smith. As an adjudicator, Dr. Yoon has served the Greater
Portland area, including Monday Musical Club and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competitions.
Dr. Yoon received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of North Texas, where she held both Teaching Assistant and Fellow positions, while studying under Joseph Banowetz. She holds a Master of Music in Piano performance from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Music from Chonnam National University in South Korea. Currently, Dr. Yoon serves on the faculties at the University of Portland and Clark College.
If you take a look around the room, you’ll notice that you already see in 3D. Yet, something changes once you start to watch a movie or view an image that causes everything you see there to take on a two-dimensional appearance. New technology has transformed how you can enjoy a movie today by offering the ability to wear special glasses that create a 3D experience. Naturally, being able to put on a pair of glasses and see things differently sparks curiosity. Whether you’re wondering how 3D glasses work or are preparing to teach a science or technology class, it’s fun to delve into the details of what makes this magical experience happen.
Start By Understanding How Normal Vision Works
The first thing you’ll want to know is that the human head already functions like a 3D viewer. Although it’s a part of your face that barely gets much thought, the space between your eyes plays an important role in how you see the world. This gap helps you to see items that are in the distance while also being able to judge the general location, depth and shape of the things that you see in your field of view. The reason why you only see things from a 2D perspective in a movie or picture is because the image is taken from only a single camera rather than how things would be perceived through two eyes.
Get a Basic Overview of How 3D Images Work
To make a 3D photo or image, the creator uses multiple angles that are eventually superimposed on each other. Since your eyes currently operate as a 3D viewer, this causes the 3D images to appear blurry and unfocused when you view them without the special glasses. Adding the right type of 3D glasses gives the images depth and distance so that your eyes can process them properly again.
Interestingly, the history of 3D cinematography involved creators considering adding special views to the floor of theaters to allow people to view the movies from there. Unfortunately, the installation process was too expensive for the average theater to feasibly include in their budgets. The good news is that the ability to create individual glasses for people to wear helped to make 3D movies affordable for theaters to show and more enjoyable for the typical moviegoer.
Know the Difference Between Polarized and Anaglyph Glasses
You might have noticed that various theaters and other entertainment sources sometimes have different 3D glasses that they hand out. Exploring how thetwo most common types of 3D glasses work gives you more insight into why you may want to pick out a specific pair.
Anaglyph glasses are the typical cardboard glasses that you’ve seen in theaters that have one red lens and one cyan, or blue, lens. The simplest way to understand how these glasses work is that the red lens serves as a filter that takes out the redness in an image while the cyan lens does the same for blue. When this happens, the image takes on greater shape and depth that is capable of being processed by your eyes. Despite the lenses in these glasses filtering out the colors, you’ll notice that your eyes make up the difference in colors to allow you to see all of the hues in the images.
Polarized glasses look similar to sunglasses, but they have a slight tint on the lenses. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell how these could ever function as 3D viewers. But, it makes a lot of sense once you understand the technology behind them. To work, polarized 3D glasses only allow light waves to pass either vertically or horizontally through them. These types of 3D movies are made using two different images that are meant for each eye, and the polarization ensures that your eyes only see the specific image they are meant to. This has the effect of creating an illusion of depth.
Now that you understand how 3D glasses work, you’ll be able to take a moment to appreciate the effects when you watch a movie or view an image. In fact, it’s fun to pick up both types and conduct a brief experiment to see how each one works as you view different types of images and movies. Now that you understand how your vision changes in response to lenses that reflect colors and light in unique ways, you’ll be ready to tell everyone you know about how amazing this type of technology is for enhancing your favorite movies.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07125919/3D-Glasses-scaled-e1741381315164.jpg12602560lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-03-07 13:29:502025-03-07 13:29:59How Do 3D Glasses Work Anyways?
Over the winter months, you might have noticed parts of your property starting to degrade. Or, you might have big dreams for your backyard that you can’t wait to start working on. When you love DIY projects, it’s hard to wait for the winter to end. But, the recent warm weather serves as a reminder that sunny days are just around the corner. While you might still have a few weeks to wait before you can dig into your project, you can take steps now to prepare for your upcoming springtime renovations.
Start With An Overview of Your Project
Now is a great time to start creating strategies for your spring projects. Whether you’re planning a small update such as hanging string lights or a major landscaping overhaul, getting a plan in place helps you know what arrangements you’ll need to make in a few weeks. This is also a good time to brush up on any skill sets that the project requires. Reviewing how to sand wood or install a water feature gives you a head start on your seasonal updates. Since you’re starting out early, consider putting the plan into writing. You can also draw a general outline of what you plan to accomplish. Bringing your outline with you when you shop for supplies helps you get everything on your list.
Recruit Assistance With Heavy Lifting
If you’re planning a large-scale project, then you might need assistance as you work. For instance, building a shed could involve lifting heavy panels or boxes. Take a moment to review your plans and identify any areas where you might need help. Then, reach out to your family, friends and others who might be able to assist you with doing the work safely. As you work through this process, you might also need to connect with special service providers such as electricians.
Prep Your Truck For Hauling Materials and Tools
Owning a truck makes these kinds of projects easier, and you’ll be able to leave rental vehicles out of your budget. Yet, you’ll also want to consider how your project can impact your truck’s value. If you plan on hauling branches, heavy materials and other supplies for your project, then now is a good time to make sure the bed is up to the task. Choosing a truck bed liner requires thinking about your preferences for the final results, and you’ll be glad you put in the effort to update your vehicle when it’s time to throw heavy tools in the back.
Determine Your Preferred Disposal Method
If you have a solid truck bed liner in place, then you might be able to haul away trash and debris on your own to save on disposal costs. But, you might also prefer to contact your local trash services company to find out if they pick up large objects on specific days for free or if there are any community clean-up days hosted by your HOA that offer this service. If not, then you can also explore dumpster rentals for bigger projects such as tree removals that you know will generate large amounts of debris.
Establish Safety Protocols at the Project Site
After you have the main plan in place, you’ll be ready to finish up by focusing on a few of the easier details. For instance, you might want to pick up some caution tape, cones or other safety warning signs that let people know to stay away from the area while you work. This is especially important if you share the yard with children who might be curious about what is happening during the project. If your plans involve pouring concrete, then erecting barriers can also ensure that no one accidentally walks across the new surface until it is fully dried.
Taking some time now to plan for your spring projects helps you to break through the winter doldrums with thoughts of sunny weather in the future. You’ll also enjoy knowing that you have time to tackle smaller projects that are better to do before you begin the bigger ones. From maintaining your tools to updating your work truck, you’ll be ready to get to work on the first spring day with perfect weather for working outside.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/07125904/Outdoor-DIY-scaled.jpg17072560lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-03-07 13:17:312025-03-07 13:17:405 Ways to Prepare for Your Spring DIY Projects Now
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) introduced the bipartisan REPAIR Act. The legislation will ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.
Vehicle owners and small automotive repair shops must pay a fee to the vehicle manufacturer to access repair data generated by their car or truck, making it increasingly difficult and costly to fix one’s own vehicle or take it to a preferred local shop. The REPAIR Act would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer, making high-quality repairs more proximate for rural Americans and less expensive, while empowering more Americans to undertake their own repairs.
“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to exercise real agency,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”
“American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Rep. Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops. Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”
“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”
“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”
“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top ten priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”
“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition, and innovation in the automotive aftermarket,”said Paul McCarthy, President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike.”
Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez previously helped introduce the legislation in the 118th Congress and it passed a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee markup.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/25173142/DSC0167-2-scaled-1-e1740533591258.jpg11822560lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-02-25 17:36:502025-02-25 17:36:55Gluesenkamp Perez, Dunn Introduce Bipartisan Vehicle REPAIR Bill
Washougal, Wash — Washougal School District early learning program applications are open now for the 2025-26 school year. Families of children aged four or younger as of September 1, 2025 are invited to apply to Transition to Kindergarten, Developmental Preschool, the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), or Birth to Three programs in Washougal School District. These programs are free to families and provide high-quality learning experiences that will prepare early learners for a great start to kindergarten. The district is also surveying interest in restarting the tuition based Community Education preschool program.
Transition to Kindergarten (TK)
TK is a free kindergarten readiness program for four-year-old students. TK students attend five full days of learning per week beginning in late September. The TK curriculum is built around purposeful play, active learning, and low student to staff ratios. Students benefit from art, music, library, PE, and more in a fun, hands-on learning environment. This early learning opportunity is in high demand and seats are filling quickly. Families are encouraged to apply now for the 2025-26 school year.
Transportation is provided for students outside of the walking boundary of their local school. Students can also participate in the school meal program as well as recess and other school opportunities. Programs are located at each Washougal elementary school. Interested families can fill out an interest survey on the district’s website https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/transitional-kindergarten/
Developmental Preschool
Washougal’s Developmental Preschool is a free early learning program for students aged 3 and 4 with identified developmental delays. The program is for students who qualify for additional support in the areas of cognitive development, motor skills, social skills, behavior, speech, language, hearing, or vision needs. The program is tailored to the needs of each student, working with specialists and the students’ family to make decisions about ways to best serve the child. Transportation is provided for students in the developmental preschool. The Developmental Preschool program is located at Hathaway Elementary School.
The Developmental Preschool program supports students with a half day of learning, four days per week. If you have concerns with your child’s development, reach out about a Child Find Screening appointment by calling 360-954-3831.
Birth to Three Program
Washougal School District partners with Educational Service District 112 to screen students aged three and younger to determine if they would benefit from additional support and services through the Birth to Three program. You can learn more about the program by visiting the ESD 112 webpage, which includes information about how to contact program staff and create a referral.
EOCF ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) at Hathaway
Early Opportunities for Children & Families and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program The EOCF ECEAP Preschool program at Hathaway invests in young learners by providing a free comprehensive school day preschool model to eligible families serving three- and four-year-old students. The program operates from September to mid-June. Visit the EOCF page or call 360-567-2720 to learn more about these programs and how your child and family may qualify based on current enrollment factors.
Tuition-Based Community Education Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds
Washougal School District is surveying families of three and four year olds to determine if there is enough interest to restart the Community Education Preschool program. The Community Ed Preschool program is a tuition-based program which would serve students in a half day program four days per week, with a low student to instructor ratio, with an estimated monthly cost of about $600 per student. If you have a three or four year old, and would be interested in this program which would start in September, let us know using our interest survey.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/25170156/IMG_4502-scaled-e1740531808687.jpg11521967lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-02-25 17:21:162025-02-25 17:21:24Washougal Early Learning Enrollment Now Open
Washougal, WA — The Two Rivers Heritage Museum (TRHM) will welcome back visitors Saturday, March 1 after its annual winter maintenance closure. Open each Saturday through October from noon to 4 pm, the museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, across from the Pendleton Woolen Mill. TRHM is operated by Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) volunteers and features a wealth of photos, artifacts and information about the people, places, and businesses prominent in the early years of Camas and Washougal.
Thanks to the efforts of volunteers during the winter closure, guests will enjoy improved displays that bring local history to life in new and interesting ways. Recently, museum leadership prepared for reopening with a volunteer training session and a clean-up day to make sure the space shines.
“We are excited to welcome visitors back and to share the updates we have made,” said Dick Lindstrom, CWHS President. “Our volunteers have put in many hours during our closure to make sure our exhibits are informative, engaging, and reflect the incredible heritage of our community. There is also a lot of volunteer effort all year long behind the scenes to manage artifact donations, update our archive database and to work on building maintenance.”
Popular displays include artifacts and information on Native American baskets and stone tools, early physicians, the fishing, lumber and farming industries, a 30s style kitchen, woodworking tools, early mining, military uniforms and wartime artifacts, teddy bears, items from historic Fern Lodge, traveling loom, household items, toys and more.
One of the newest exhibits, “Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline,” was dedicated in May 2024.
“It is filled with stories and images recounting monumental moments and everyday events of our history and is inspired by items from the museum’s collection,” said Karen Johnson, TRHM Display Committee Chair. “It has quickly become a favorite among visitors.”
“There is just so much to see and learn here,” said Lindstrom. “Our space is bigger than most people think it is. We have around 6,000 square feet of displays! We joke that we are the ‘best kept secret’ in the area. We get more visitors from out of town than from our own community. We hope more locals will come in. We are sure they will see items that stir up some memories.”
The museum gift shop offers a selection of postcards that feature historic photos of Camas and Washougal and images of artifacts in the museum, beautiful rugs woven onsite with Pendleton wool fabric trimmings, a variety of surplus antiques as well as many books about local history by local authors.
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours for eight or more are available any day of the week (by appointment only). Leave a message at 360-835-8742 for scheduling.
CWHS is always looking for volunteers and new members to join and help support the preservation of local history. More information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum can be found on their website at www.2rhm.com.
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street, Washougal, opens its doors for visitors on Saturdays through October starting March 1, from noon to 4 pm. Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all Camas-Washougal Historical Society members.
About Two Rivers Heritage Museum:
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Camas-Washougal area. Through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs, the museum provides a glimpse into the past, celebrating the people and events that shaped the area.
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WA – On Thursday, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Skamania County leaders held a press conference at the Mt. Pleasant School to urge Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program to ensure rural communities can continue to access vital funds for infrastructure and schools.
During the press conference, the leaders laid out the dire impacts to schools, public safety, and infrastructure that will occur if the program is not soon extended, and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez discussed her efforts in Congress to fight for reauthorization.
Earlier this month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined a bipartisan effort to reintroduce the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act to extend the program and enable retroactive payments. In January, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez urged House Leadership to immediately prioritize an SRS extension, following a September letter urging reauthorization before the end of 2023.
The SRS program is a historically bipartisan lifeline for rural communities who rely on timber revenue that has been limited by federal action and are highly impacted by tax-exempt federal lands. According to the Forest Service, reauthorization needed to have been completed by the end of January in order for the program to stay on schedule without delays to payments.
Since its enactment, SRS has provided $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts across 40 states. In 2023, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania Counties received significant amounts of funding through SRS. In Skamania County, only 1.8 percent of land can generate revenue for public services, and SRS funding accounts for 5.1 percent of the county’s budget.
More details about the local impacts of not reauthorizing SRS can be found here.
“Our kids had access to all sorts of programs, all [the] resources that they needed, and that has dwindled and dwindled. … We’re trying to hang onto as much of that as we can so our students can stay and have the skills and the abilities that they need to go out and have living-wage jobs in our community. And if they do decide to go outside of the community to get education and training and come back, we want them to have something to come back to. Our schools cannot degrade that experience to the point that that isn’t preparing them for the future,” said Stevenson-Carson School District Superintendent Dr. Ingrid Colvard in her remarks. “This is what happens because of these essential funds: Students in our district can access a therapist, a counselor, a support person immediately if they’re in crisis. In our county, that is very difficult to do … Our students have access to a post-high school counselor … Each learner has the support they need to be able to read and perform mathematics at grade level. … Those things are at risk. Those are people that work and mentor our students to make it happen. Our teachers, our paraprofessionals, our custodial staff that’s already cut to the bone – it’s cut into the bone. … This extra money, this additional five percent – it’s in our budget, and we have to have it to continue these things. Opportunities to learn job-ready skills, like welding and carpentry, the Congresswoman was able to see that in action. Our kids can walk in and go to work and we have all of these other opportunities happening like Forest Youth Success, preparing them for their futures. We don’t want to lose that. … Our learners, our community, they count on the promise that was made to our county. … I ask you and implore you to please support our future, our kids. … Our kids are worth it, they deserve it, and opportunity comes with these funds.”
“In February 2024, we had two inches of ice and negative wind chills. Water pipes burst in the school, and during repair, we discovered that we had asbestos. Our cost of repairs after insurance was $72,000. Additionally, our HVAC is failing. Over the last two years, we have spent approximately $25,000 on repairs, and we anticipate replacing the unit soon. Mt. Pleasant is one of only 43 districts in the state of Washington to receive a perfect 4.0 financial health score in 2022-2023. We are careful stewards of our funding. However small districts like Mt. Pleasant are unduly impacted by not having the services of a large district and having to contract for those services,” said Mt. Pleasant School Board Member Liz Wilber in her remarks. “We are committed to doing everything we can to make cuts furthest from the classroom, but without SRS funds, we will be left to cover budget deficits with levy dollars and reserves – both of which are extremely tenuous. If we were to close, our taxpayers would become part of the Washougal School District, paying significantly higher taxes. … For small, rural districts like mine, these monies are absolutely vital.”
“I want nothing more than our county to regain our independence through responsible timber harvest. However, relying on an unpredictable handout from the federal government for our county to survive has been a forced hand we’ve been made to accept. Without SRS funding, the future of Skamania County, and specifically public safety, is bleak. In 2025, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office was forced to cut two patrol deputy positions due to the lack of SRS funds,” said Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer in her remarks. “Over the past 15 years, due to the continued reduction in SRS funds, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to cut animal control, a narcotics detective, detective sergeant, chief criminal deputy, telecommunicators, corrections officers, and patrol deputies. If SRS funds are not reappropriated, public safety in Skamania County will not be sustainable as we currently operate. Further personnel cuts will be required, creating a detrimental reduction in patrol deputy response for criminal activity and traffic enforcement. … Response times to assist those utilizing the recreational aspects of the Forest Service-managed land may be delayed so significantly the mission that would have been a rescue transforms into a deadly recovery.”
“SRS is a financial ray of hope for the people of Skamania County. SRS helps fill the gaps between the funding that Skamania County and our schools should be getting from the timber harvest of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and what is actually being harvested,” said Skamania County Commissioner Brian Nichols (District 1) in his remarks. “It means family wage jobs for Skamania County. It means improved safety for the people of Skamania County. And it means a local government that is better able to serve the people of Skamania County. And it means greater opportunities through education for our greatest treasure – our kids and our grandkids.”
“When I came into office, one of our predecessors had always talked about how Skamania County only had 1.8 percent of land taxable for the support of school functions and all of the other county functions. And as I listened to that, I thought, ‘what does that really mean?’” said former Skamania County Commissioner Tom Lannen (District 2) in his remarks. “Well, it means that back in 1990, we averaged about 364 million board feet off of the Gifford Pinchot forest every year. And that delivered to the county and the schools about $10 million a year. That’s equivalent to $22 million in today’s market. That’s greater than our county’s entire budget.”
“One of the programs I oversee is Forest Youth Success, which is a workforce development program for our local teens. … We provide basic job skills in a paid work setting while we help our youth participants to develop and enhance their life skills, and that increases their long-term employability, [and] to learn the importance of environmental stewardship, as well as the fundamentals of forest ecology and management through real-world opportunities. They develop a sense of responsibility for themselves, the forest, and their communities,” said WSU Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Somer Meade in her remarks. “We are able to offer this annual program due to Secure Rural School funds and the support we have from our dedicated community partners at the Skamania County Board of Commissioners, the Stevenson-Carson School District, and a variety of agencies and organizations like the Forest Service.”
“Our success is tied directly to the SRS funds that support our school. These funds are not a luxury, they’re a necessity. As we strive as board members to keep our school fiscally sound, give the students and teachers the resources they need, and stay compliant with the myriad and ever-changing requirements from the state, we depend on this essential funding. Without it, Mt. Pleasant faces cuts to programs, staffing, and even the long-term sustainability of the school itself,” said Mt. Pleasant School Board Vice Chair Tanis Morris in her remarks. “I urge lawmakers and decision makers to continue supporting the Secure Rural Schools Act, because when we fund rural schools, we don’t just preserve history, we build a stronger future.
The following are Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s full remarks:
“Access to education, a level playing field for our kids, economic agency – these are all the things that SRS represents to us. I live here in Skamania County with my husband and my young son – he would go to one of these schools if he were old enough to be in class. And I am so grateful to be standing here with such an incredible team of leaders and people who have fierce loyalty to place, who really know what’s worth fighting for in life and know how lucky we are to live in a place rich in natural resources and culture, and who are going to stand up to make that level playing field that SRS represents happen for us.
The sad truth is that we are now past the January deadline to extend this program and keep payments on track. It’s why we are holding this press conference today. In Skamania County, only 1.8 percent of our land base can generate the revenue for vital public services, and that’s due to the abundance of tax-exempt federal land.
I come from a line of folks who worked in the woods, and I know how important our harvest rates are to preventing wildfire – which was one of the largest emitters of CO2 in our state last year – to keeping small businesses, family businesses operating and viable.
If you’re worried about consolidation of timber land, stalling these sales, putting us in a hole – that’s not a way to create an efficient, competitive market where family businesses can compete. And as a result of all of these blows compounding damage to our economy, we’ve seen a loss of jobs, we’ve seen a loss of wealth in our community, we’ve seen a loss of families – to small businesses. Our communities have been stopped from exercising this self-sufficiency due to interminable litigation and federal inaction.
Part of the deal with SRS is that these federal funds would backfill our budget shortfalls that we have been prevented from generating ourselves due to the timber revenue declines. It is also the fundamental American principle that your Zip Code should not determine the caliber of education you receive. And [that we should] help folks who choose to stay and fight and be loyal and get buried on the same land they were born on.
Our rural schools and counties have already faced decades of painful cuts to our basics, consolidating schools and considering a four-day school week – and this is even with SRS funding and a dedication to fiscal responsibility. Failing to reauthorize this SRS funding would devastate our schools, our jobs, their trade programs in these high schools which are often the first thing to get cut, and here at Mt. Pleasant School, these funds keep the doors open – it’s as plain and simple as that. And the same goes for the Stevenson-Carson School District, where the budget is already set and they would have to make drastic cuts to staff and empty out funds for maintenance to old buildings.
We are not talking about luxury programs here – we are talking about having heating and cooling and an A/C system in our schools at a time when the classroom temperatures can reach 85 degrees on the inside. This is craziness. We will not go quietly along with this inattention from federal agencies and the federal government.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit the shop class at Stevenson High School and these are incredibly bright, gifted kids, and they deserve a fair shot to have the skills to graduate with the resources to start their own businesses, have economic self-determination, to have real economic power, political agency, choice in where they live and how they make that living. Not to mention, programs like WSU Extension’s Forest Youth Success which give kids the opportunity to build the skills and nurture the gifts that they were born with.
It’s also about our county operations and Sheriff’s Departments and roads and schools up in Lewis County and Cowlitz County that will cost us more down the line. This is penny wise and pound foolish. The backlog of maintenance on these programs, our roads, our infrastructure, is not cheap, and it’s not fiscally responsible.
And beyond Southwest Washington, there are more than 700 counties, 4,400 school districts, and 40 states [that] have relied on SRS. While Washington, D.C. experiences, frankly, an atrophy of awareness of what it’s like to live in rural America, to send your kids to a rural school, this vital program is now running behind schedule. These are the schools that my son would go to as I mentioned.
I’ve repeatedly pressed leadership to bring this vote to the House floor. We recently introduced bipartisan legislation with colleagues I respect and know and who are eager partners in this fight with me to retroactively provide this funding authorization.
This has historically been a bipartisan, commonsense bill, so we’re working to build support – and part of that is being here today and ensuring that federal electeds are hearing the local voices of the communities who are most closely impacted by this. Last year, this program cost about $253 million, and I think Congress could find that sort of money at the same time we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year on literally empty office buildings of federal agencies.
I refuse to let federal inaction undermine the opportunities our kids have, so I’ll keep fighting for this in D.C., and I’m incredibly grateful to all the folks up here and all of you for being partners in this work.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21135152/IMG_3103-1edit-scaled-1-e1740174993994.jpg11522090lacamashttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pnglacamas2025-02-21 14:12:102025-02-21 14:12:19Local Leaders Urge Congress to Reauthorize Rural Schools Program
;
