OTHELLO — Othello School District is the recipient of a $2.5 million 21st Century grant that will help provide after-school opportunities and “before care” for late-start Mondays. The district announced the grant award during its Sept. 8 regular board meeting. The funding will support these programs for about four years.
According to OSD Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Josh Meek, the “Nita M. Lowry 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program supports the creation of community learning centers.” The intent is to provide “academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours.”
Meek said that the application process begins in February. “It’s a rather lengthy application process … You have to design the whole program” before it can receive funding,” Meek added. “We designed it in a way to serve all of our elementary [and middle school] students.” The program will primarily serve students in grades 3 through 8.
Recipient districts are only allowed to have three sites. Meek said the district was able to serve all four elementary schools by hosting at only two of them. Hiawatha will serve students from Lutacaga. Scootney Springs will serve students from Wahits. The district will provide transportation. McFarland Middle School will serve as the third site.
The program will provide before-school opportunities, particularly on late-start Mondays. “We will have a safe, structured place for kids to go on Monday mornings during our collaboration times,” Meek said. He added that the results of surveys revealed a “loud and clear” message that families wanted something more structured on those mornings.
After-school programs, summer programs, snacks, and transportation will also be included.
Columbia Basin Health Association partnered with OSD in the grant application and program design process. “They’ve come alongside us to provide some of the content and resources,” Meek said. “For example, you might see a little dental fair where they learn more about dental health.”
CBHA Chief Executive Officer Nieves Gomez said, “Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA) is proud to partner with Othello School District through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. Our skilled team of hygienists, dietitians, behavioral health consultants, and other professionals are looking forward to bringing educational presentations to students, sharing career insights and best practices to inspire and inform the next generation.”
Meek said staffing will come from after-school tutors and that there is a teacher participation component. “We want to make sure that what the students are doing in the after-school program supports their core instruction in the classroom.”
The before and after-school programs will launch in January 2026. The initial target goal for student participation is about 60 students per school, according to Meek.
The district will share more information soon about how families can seek to have their students involved in the grant-funded programs.
