Dear friends and neighbors,
There are so many issues a legislator must know to do their job successfully.
We are required to be something of a “jack of all trades.” Of course, the second half of that old saying is “master of none.” Because of that, I spend as much time as possible when the Legislature is not in session meeting with people throughout our district, so I can learn everything I can about the needs of schools, small businesses, farmers and others living in our community.
These tours are essential for me to do my job well. The people I meet and the stories I hear stick with me and have an enormous impact on the decisions I make when we return to Olympia every January.
Last month, I wrote to you about some of the places I’ve visited recently. Today, I thought I’d tell you about some of the visits I’ve made to schools and classrooms around our community.
Public education is the best investment we can make. That’s the reason it’s by far the largest part of the state budget.
As deputy chair of the capital budget, I’m most focused on school construction and improvements, but the Legislature works closely with school districts on a multitude of issues including materials and operating costs, teacher pay, certain types of curricula and much more.
A new, safer school in the Taholah School District
It was an honor to be invited to the groundbreaking of a new school in the Taholah School District.
This event was the culmination of a lot of work and collaboration between the Quinault Indian Nation and local, state and federal governments that helped bring this project to fruition.
The new K-12 school will be constructed on higher ground, keeping our students and teachers safer from the threat of tsunamis and earthquakes. In fact, the school itself was funded in part by the School Seismic Safety Grant Program.
A lot to be excited about in Port Angeles
I had a great time meeting and speaking with students at both Port Angeles High School and Roosevelt Elementary.
I was invited, along with my seatmates Reps. Steve Tharinger and Adam Bernbaum, to meet teachers and students and learn more about the good work happening at these schools and the high school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The CTE program was very impressive and will help graduating Roughriders leave high school set up for success in a wide variety of careers, including health sciences, agriculture, information technology, marketing, finance and much more.
On a separate visit, we had the pleasure of spending some time with Mrs. Sanders’ civics class and answer some really great (and a few really tough) questions from her students.
This was such a great experience for all of us and a tremendous reminder of why it’s so important to learn about all levels of government and how to get involved. I hope to see Mrs. Sanders’ class again when they come visit Olympia in January!
Career training, civics education and other programs that help Washington’s students walk out of high school better prepared for what’s next is why it’s so important that we do our part in Olympia to ensure all schools have the resources they need.
A visit to Wishkah Valley School
We also spent some time at Wishkah Valley School in Aberdeen. There, we met with Principal Shannon Patterson and spoke with her about some of the unique challenges facing smaller schools.
Our small schools sometimes are more likely to face issues like burnout, fewer resources and less opportunity to work with students one on one. To help with this, Wishkah has been the recipient of a number of small-school grants, which helped remodel their locker rooms and historic gym, which doubles as a gathering place for the community. All schools require the help of the Legislature and the public, particularly those that serve more rural communities.
Page applications are now open!
A fantastic way to learn about the legislative process is to participate in it first-hand!
Our Legislature has one of the country’s best page programs, and applications for 2026 are now open. This exciting opportunity allows Washingtonians ages 14-16 to immerse themselves in the legislative process and meet other students from across the state.
You can learn more about the program and find an application by clicking this link.
Stay in touch
Our office is always ready to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and share your thoughts or concerns. This work can’t — and shouldn’t — happen without you.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our community and for your continued trust. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.
Mike Chapman
