Orchard Prairie Candidates Devoted To The Survival Of Their Small District

The 60 students at Orchard Prairie School study in the same two-room schoolhouse that students studied in 101 years ago.

Concern for the future of the small, country school is driving four Orchard Prairie residents to run for school board.

The candidates fear legislative bills to force consolidation of school districts with fewer than 100 students will surface in 1996 as it did two years ago. All four expect the Legislature to address the issue this session.

“There needs to be an awareness in Olympia that small schools have something to offer, and not to just concentrate on larger schools,” said Dee Dee Hanson, a housewife running against Doug Robnett in the only contested race.

Both Hanson and Robnett have children in the school district.

“The biggest concern here is keep in the district alive,” said Robnett.

Robnett, a history teacher at Mead Junior High School, said his profession gives him a unique perspective that would help “bridge communications between teachers and the community.”

In races for the two other open seats, Kelly Clothier, and Terri Bonnallo are running unopposed.

Clothier has a daughter in the school and believes she is getting the best public education available. “I don’t have a single bad thing to say about the school,” said Clothier, whose profession ranges from farmer to carpenter, depending on the time of year.

Bonnallo, a former nurse who now works for a medical insurance company, is busy as a volunteer at the Hospice of Spokane and a court-appointed guardian in cases where children’s parents have been jailed or detained by police.

, DataTimes MEMO: See candidate profile by name.