Trying to balance independence with community

By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Arlington's first high school burned down in 1935. The "new" high school was built a year later. Rising enrollment and the failure of three school construction bond issues has prompted the addition of 15 portable classrooms. Although there is a large home-schooling population (more than 250), Arlington High School serves 1,300 of the Arlington School District's 4,900 students.

"The high school is falling apart," says Delani Ambler. "Everybody knows we need a new high school . . . no one will vote it in."

District Superintendent Linda Byrnes says finding enough land suitable for construction has been a huge hurdle. "People do believe in education, but the common denominator in Arlington is that people are independent. People have a heck of a time agreeing. . . . It's a dilemma for everyone."

Along with independence, there is a desire for community connection.

Volunteers donate and load gravel to help build soccer and baseball fields, and provide baseball mitts for kids who can't afford them.

A high school student helped organize a car wash to raise money for band uniforms, and clerks at Arlington Hardware help with everything from leaky pipes to pumps.

"A lot of people in Arlington truly care about each other. Caring is a lot of what goes on here," says Anna Pritchard, a member of United Methodist Church, which started the town's first food bank. Two years ago, the church began hosting a soup kitchen, dubbed "the Love 'n Spoonful."

It also hosts community events such as monthly luncheons with town pioneers known as the Arlington United Ladies.