Two “one-hundred-year” floods in two years. Unusual? Not anymore. It’s part of the new norm with record-setting floods and droughts happening globally.

Climate change is what it’s called. And, what are our schools doing to help our children prepare for the unknown future climate change will bring to society? Not much.

What could we be doing? Everything? And Snoqualmie Valley School District (SVSD) has a wonderful opportunity right now to be on the cutting edge of the next wave of innovations that will make education truly relevant to the futures of our students.

“What’s that?” you say? Thanks for asking!

At last month’s school board meeting, we heard a presentation about the new Skills Centers that Washington state is establishing and funding. These are vocational programs for high schools. We need a new high school here in the Valley, and this is an opportunity we should seize.

Imagine, a state-of-the-art school devoted to sustainable forestry and agriculture and to public works-related skills and services.

With all the new ‘green’ programs now being developed by the public and private sectors, by colleges and universities, students in the Snoqualmie Valley could be on the forefront of the new high tech revolution in education. Plus, through the NEVAC program, we could offer this education to students throughout King County. And, get this, the state would pay for 90 percent of the cost of construction. With the right programming, such a school would prepare students for both jobs and college.

“Too good to pass up,” you say? But that is exactly what is happening. SVSD is limping forward with a bond proposal that only exacerbates the overcrowding at Mount Si High School. We need a bond that is truly for the kids. We’ve got options. Let’s utilize them.

Elaine Harger

Snoqualmie