Washington green-lights esports program

WASHINGTON — School board members voted unanimously on June 12 to approve funding for an esports team at Washington High School.

Activities Director Nathan Miller said he applauded the decision.

“I’m really excited for this new program, I think it offers an avenue for our students to be a part of another type of team activity,” he said. “I think this program could open up a lot of pathways for kids … eventually we’d like to have them be able to build their own computers, and apply some of the technology pieces that they’re going to learn through this activity, maybe into a life skill or a job someday.”

Superintendent Willie Stone said the program’s startup cost was projected at $2,348. That covers the price tag for a handful of Nintendo Switch game consoles, $360 worth of game copies, a handful of controllers and a subscription to Nintendo’s online service, which is required for certain multiplayer games.

He said the school could afford that sum even if community fundraising efforts for the team don’t pan out as planned.

The new team will take shape against a backdrop of what the district calls “chronic absenteeism.” Educators and administrators in Washington say they’re exploring every option to form tight-knit communities in their buildings, part of a broad effort to improve the number of students showing up for class at least 90% of the time.

“Anything we can do to get kids involved and find some success, anywhere — whether it’s choir or e-games or whatever it is — that’s the real key,” High School Principal Ed Rathjen said in his school year report at the same meeting. “That support’s appreciated, because that was really a core group of kids that, just didn’t really have a place in high school, and hopefully we’ve got a place for them now.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com