The North Wasco County School District 21 board has decided to proceed with setting up a dual language immersion program with one kindergarten class at Chenowith Elementary School starting in the 2020-21 academic year. The decision came after a lengthy board meeting with testimony both for and against the program, and a passionate presentation by Chenowith Principal Mo Darnall and Columbia Gorge Educational Service District Migrant Education Director Jonathan Fost on the benefits the program would provide both English and Spanish speaking students. There was some discussion of delaying the start of the program until 2021, with board member Jose Aparicio concerned there was not enough time to do appropriate professional development. But Superintendent Candy Armstrong told the board some of the funds for the class were a part of the district’s Student Success Act plan that is about to go to the Oregon Department of Education, and the money might not be available a year from now. She did add that by starting small, the program is sustainable.