At Ridgefield School District’s most recent Board of Directors meeting, Cowlitz Tribal Chairman Philip Harju presented the District with a check for more than $106,000.
“It is my distinct pleasure to present this voluntary payment in lieu of taxes to the Ridgefield School District,” Harju said. “We appreciate the strong partnerships we have built with our neighboring school districts and communities. This donation represents a promise made to the Ridgefield community that the Cowlitz Tribe is going to keep.”
The generous donation will help fund the District’s continued pursuit of expanding access to high quality early learning opportunities, and will help provide educational programming that supports the District’s commitment to the development of the whole child.
“We are grateful for this donation and the Cowlitz Tribe’s ongoing generosity,” said Superintendent Nathan McCann. “We are proud of the strong community partnerships that have been built over the years, and it is immensely gratifying to have neighbors who see the value in supporting the students and staff of the Ridgefield community.”