New Arlington superintendent proposes countywide endowment to support postsecondary and trade training

Jonathan Boston, identified at the meeting as the new superintendent of the Arlington School District, proposed that Gilliam County explore a countywide endowment to support graduating students pursuing college or trade certifications.

Boston said the region has significant workforce needs in trades and that a local endowment seeded by incoming companies could underwrite scholarships or tuition support for students choosing either a college or trade pathway. He proposed a goal of roughly $2,000,000 in principal over five years (about $400,000 annually in seed contributions) to generate ongoing scholarship support; he described average annual costs for college including room and board at about $21,000 per student and trade‑school programs at roughly $15,400 per student, figures he presented as planning estimates.

Why it matters: county and school representatives said supporting postsecondary options was important for workforce development and for giving graduates choices that match local labor demand. Meeting participants noted the county already provides scholarship support through education foundations and that a broader endowment could attract matching or supplemental contributions from private partners.

Next steps: attendees suggested the county and school districts explore the idea further, identify legal and tax structures (for example, a community foundation or charitable endowment) and seek potential corporate and philanthropic seed contributions. County staff said they would file Superintendent Boston’s concept for follow‑up.