College Place Public Schools Receives $185,550 For Playground For All Project At Davis Elementary (Photo) - 03/02/26

College Place Public Schools has been awarded $185,550 through the Washington State Healthy Kids–Healthy Schools Physical Education and Physical Activity Grant to improve the West Playground at Davis Elementary School. This board-priority project will remove barriers to play and increase access to safe physical activity for all students.

The project includes two main parts.

First, the district will upgrade the current K–1 playground. The existing rubber chips will be removed and replaced with ADA-compliant, wheelchair-friendly surfacing. Additional ADA-compliant playground equipment will be purchased and installed. This equipment will include play features that allow students of all abilities to play together during recess and supervised activity times.

The K–1 playground also receives direct sun and heat that reflects off the building. As part of this effort, the district will look to add shade to help keep students cooler and more comfortable while they play.

Second, the district will build a new preschool play area designed for children ages our youngest students. This space will include developmentally appropriate, ADA-compliant play equipment scaled for younger learners. The new area will have equipment for all students and wheel-chair and limited-mobility compliant safety surfacing.

These improvements support physical activity before school, during recess, after school programs, and extended learning time. The project aligns with the district’s local wellness policy and supports physical activity and best practices for elementary students.

College Place Public Schools will also invest district funds to match and support this award, making sure the full project can be completed. The playground upgrades are planned for summer 2026, with construction taking place while students are out of school.

Board President Eva Brown shared her appreciation for the award. “This project reflects our commitment to all students. Every child deserves a safe place to move, play, and build friendships. We are grateful to the Healthy Kids–Healthy Schools Grant for helping us create a playground where all children can be active together.”

More details about the timeline will be shared as the project moves forward.

College Place School Board Appoints Jodi Grove As Next Principal Of Davis Elementary (Photo) - 02/03/26

At a special meeting held Tuesday, February 3, the College Place School Board took official action to appoint Jodi Grove as the next principal of Davis Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026.

The decision comes after Principal Mark Ferraro announced his retirement last month. Mark has served Davis Elementary with dedication and care for the past 13 years as both Assistant Principal and Principal. During his time, he supported the school through growth and change while maintaining a strong care for students and staff. CPPS is grateful for his leadership and service, and look forward to the impact he will have next school year in a yearlong role focused on math leadership and instructional support.

Following Ferraro’s announcement, the Board conducted a thoughtful review of internal data and input from Davis staff. During their regular meeting last week, board members spent time evaluating Assistant Principal Jodi Grove’s qualifications and her alignment with the needs of the Davis community.

At today’s special meeting, the Board met directly with Ms. Grove to discuss her leadership vision and school-wide impact before voting to appoint her to the principalship.

Board President Eva Brown shared her enthusiasm about the decision, “Jodi Grove is not only highly qualified, she is exactly the kind of leader our district values. Her dedication to students, support for staff, and commitment to our community make her an incredible asset. We are truly fortunate that she has chosen College Place and Davis Elementary.”  

Grove joined Davis Elementary as Assistant Principal in 2023, quickly becoming a central leader in school culture, instructional and behavioral support systems, and leading Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).  Her commitment to meeting student needs while connecting with and supporting the staff at Davis has shown exceptional results in her time there.  

With a background as both a classroom teacher and learning/behavior specialist, Grove also brings experience in trauma-informed practices and has proven to excel in collaborative team leadership.  Her understanding of the strengths and needs of Davis along with her strong connection to the community it serves, made her the right choice.  “There’s good fit, there’s great fit, and there’s the perfect fit; Jodi Grove is that for Davis Elementary,” Superintendent Jim Fry reflected.

The College Place School District looks forward to a smooth leadership transition and continued momentum at Davis Elementary as Grove steps into the principal role this summer.

For more information about College Place Public Schools, visit www.cpps.org.