Sean Swope commentary: Centralia schools are worth believing in

It’s easy these days to focus on what’s wrong with public education.

But as a parent, a coach and someone who spends a lot of time with Centralia’s kids, I want to offer a different perspective: our school district is moving in the right direction — and it shows.

That progress starts with Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant and the team she has built. Over the past few years, Centralia has made real investments in leadership, student programs and opportunities that go far beyond the classroom.

Nowhere is that more visible than in extracurriculars.

A few years ago, Centralia’s elementary basketball program struggled. As a dad of kids in the program, I remember seasons where winning a game felt nearly impossible. Today, more than 200 students across the district are participating in basketball, from third grade through high school.

The growth, confidence and competitiveness you see now didn’t happen by accident — it came from intentional leadership and better coaching.

The football program tells the same story. With a new coaching staff this year, Centralia scored more points than it had in the previous few seasons combined, won several games, and easily could have won more. Even more important, the district has created a full development pipeline, from kindergarten flag football to pee-wee to high school, giving kids a place to belong and grow from an early age.

I’ve also loved watching our tennis and cross country teams thrive. Those programs welcome not just district students, but homeschool students as well, which reflects the best of Centralia’s inclusive spirit. Cross country, in particular, teaches something powerful: you don’t have to be first — you just have to give your best. Week after week, those athletes break their own times and prove that growth matters more than trophies.

And when you attend a Friday night game, you feel it. The high school band brings energy, pride and tradition to every event, while the new weightlifting program, led by a school counselor, is building strength, confidence and discipline in students who might not have found their place in sports before.

But what truly sets Centralia apart is what happens after school hours. Teachers, counselors and administrators stay late to tutor, meet students where they are, and even make sure kids have food to take home for the weekend. That kind of care isn’t written into contracts — it comes from people who genuinely love their students.

You see it across the district: teachers from one school cheering for students from another, administrators volunteering their time, and staff members showing up simply because they care. These aren’t just educators — they’re community builders.

And the students make it all worthwhile. Centralia kids are hardworking, motivated, and eager to succeed when given the opportunity. It’s easy to see why so many adults are willing to go the extra mile for them.

Centralia is fortunate to have a strong school board, a capable superintendent, and a staff that puts kids first. Every time we invest in this district, we see a return — in stronger students, stronger families and a stronger community.

As voters consider the upcoming levy, I hope they’ll look at the momentum being built and the students it’s already helping. For my family, it’s an easy choice. The Swopes are a big yes.

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Sean Swope is a Centralia resident who represents District 1 as a Lewis County commissioner.