Student advisor bill passes WA House
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 10 months AGO
A bill sponsored by state Rep. Julia Reed would increase opportunities for students to work as near-peer access advisors.
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | February 13, 2024 5:36 PM
OLYMPIA — A bill aimed at increasing the number of students earning postsecondary credentials passed the Washington State House this week, according to an announcement from the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle.
HB 2025 the bill increases opportunities for students receiving federal work study grants to work as near-peer college access advisors, according to the announcement.
“Applying to and enrolling in college can be overwhelming,” Reed wrote in the announcement. “Who better to help students navigate the process than someone who’s recently completed the process?”
The bill allows for the Office of Student Financial Assistance to grant reimbursement rates greater than 80% for off-campus community service placements and make hiring college students to serve in college access roles less expensive, according to the announcement. Near peer counselors address the shortage of high school college counselors in Washington state, Reed wrote. The negative effects of this shortage are felt most in underserved districts.
“High school graduation rates are the highest they’ve ever been,” Reed wrote. “That’s great, but it’s only half of the equation. If Washington is going to meet its workforce demands, we have to make sure we’re hitting that 70% mark for post-secondary credentials.”
HB 2025 passed the House with a vote of 95 to 2. It moves on to the Senate for consideration
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
‘Our favorite time of year’
Shop with a Cop brings smiles to both children and officers
MOSES LAKE — The heavy police presence outside local stores recently wasn’t because of a crime wave. It was police officers engaging in their favorite annual event. “This is one of those times throughout the year that we don't have to go and ask for volunteers to help,” said Moses Lake Police Chief David Sands. “The first day we put it out, I think we got 20-some people say ‘Yeah, we’re in.’ That's just under half the department right away.“
BASIN EVENTS: Dec. 19-27
COLUMBIA BASIN — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and a lot of people will be spending time at home with their families or at the church of their choice. Still, there are a few things happening around the Basin. Here are some ideas:
Chimney maintenance is essential for safety
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas just around the corner, lots of folks are using their fireplaces for warmth, roasting chestnuts or just a pleasant atmosphere. But before Santa pays your chimney a visit, you should make sure it’s in good working order. Chimney fires are responsible for more than three-fourths of residential building heating fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Regular inspections and cleaning are the best way to prevent that, said Michael Harper, known as The Chimney Guy. “If they’re using (the fireplace) aesthetically – date night, Christmas, New Year’s, show-off times, something in the background here and there, (they should) have it inspected once a year for peace of mind,” Harper said. “If they’re using it two to three days a week religiously through the winter months, they need to have it cleaned once a year.”