The La Conner Schools oval, site of this year’s Skagit County Track and Field Championships, will be a busy venue this summer as well.
Thanks to a major grant from Foundry10, a Seattle-based education research organization with a philanthropic focus, the school district will be able to resurface its nearly 55-year-old track.
La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram told school board members at their public meeting Monday night that the Foundry10 grant will cover about 80% of the anticipated $250,000 project. The balance can be covered through the district’s capital improvements budget, other private donations or a combination of both, Cram indicated.
“The big thing is that we have the ability to move forward on this,” he said.
Cram noted that Foundry10, among its various educational priorities, is committed to encouraging exercise and physical activity by students. The La Conner track project appealed to Foundry10, according to Cram, because the facility is open to the community and used by students of all ages.
As an example, Cram cited the annual spring La Conner Elementary School Walk-a-Thon at Whittaker Field.
He added that La Conner Schools has sought Foundry10 funding support for other district academic programs.
“Foundry10 has been very supportive of our initiatives,” Cram said.
The track project will begin after school is dismissed for summer vacation. Cram said the work is expected to take three to four weeks.
A new Navy Blue-colored polyurethane coating will be applied to the track, according to Cram.
In addition to the Foundry10 grant, school officials on Monday celebrated further good financial news in the form of an annual $515,000 contribution from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
Cram said that $25,000 of the Swinomish donation, which had previously been approved by the tribal senate, will be used for technology upgrades, most likely purchase of new student laptops.
The school board at its Monday session also unanimously approved submission of a federal Indian Education Act grant application to continue funding Lushootseed Language and Between Two Worlds Indigenous Science classes here.
La Conner Schools Beth Clothier, director of Teaching and Learning, said the current grant proposal is similar to those submitted and approved in the past.
“The only change is that we’re applying for a four-year grant this time instead of an annual grant,” Clothier said.
The board is scheduled to meet next in a May 11 study session starting at 5 p.m. in the District Administration Building.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
