Schools

Colton Minich, 10, feeds a carrot to therapy llama Beni at a Dec. 13 party at Dorothy Fox Elementary School in Camas. The Camas School District Special Education Parent-Teacher-Student Organization formed last year and offers support for parents and hosts events tailored to special education students and their families.

Camas parents of kids with special needs form group to find community, support, events where families feel welcome and comfortable

December 22, 2023, 6:03am Clark County News

Heather Dehghan said she sometimes doesn’t feel comfortable taking her son, Nova, to regular school events. Read story

Gov. Jay Inslee visits the fourth Safe Stay Community off Main Street on Friday morning. Earlier, he visited with The Columbian’s Editorial Board.

Gov. Jay Inslee optimistic about his proposed 2024 supplemental budget

December 16, 2023, 6:05am Clark County News

Gov. Jay Inslee is “cautiously optimistic” that state legislators will approve his proposed 2024 supplemental budget released Wednesday. Inslee met with The Columbian’s Editorial Board Friday to discuss the specifics of the budget. Read story

FAFSA changes create delays for students seeking to apply for financial aid at Washington State University Vancouver, Clark College, other schools

December 12, 2023, 6:52pm Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

Thousands of students at Washington State University and Clark College depend on federal financial aid. This year, the Department of Education is making several changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as the FAFSA. Read story

The Vancouver School of Arts and Academics is pictured May 1, 2020.

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics switches to lottery admission

December 11, 2023, 7:05pm Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, the biggest magnet school in Vancouver Public Schools, is changing its application process from a merit-based approach to a lottery system. Read story

Ridgefield High School student Keaira Farley, right, hands a stamp to Windy Hills Winery director of events Ashley Miller on Tuesday during a pitch meeting for the students’ “Ridgefield Passport” idea at the winery in Ridgefield. The students said the project is not only an opportunity to provide a service for local businesses, but it helps them practice their marketing and business skills.

Student project aims to help businesses stand out, customers save with ‘Ridgefield Passport’

December 8, 2023, 6:04am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Ridgefield is one of the fastest growing cities in Washington, according to the most recent available data. The growth has been a blessing and a challenge for local businesses: There are more local customers than ever before, but how do they get their attention? Read story

Evergreen, Vancouver public schools brace for staff cuts in 2024

People fill the meeting room at Evergreen Public Schools headquarters March 14. The district is early in its budget preparation process for 2024 but is already predicting it will face a deficit for the third straight year.

December 2, 2023, 6:07am Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

It’s still 2023, but local school districts are already preparing for next year’s budget. Both Evergreen and Vancouver anticipate serious shortfalls requiring staff cuts, all while students are still struggling to recover from lingering effects of the pandemic. Read story