Milton-Freewater getting first new school in 95 years

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) – The Eastern Oregon city of Milton-Freewater is getting its first new school since 1922.

The East Oregonian newspaper reports (https://is.gd/PsJaKd ) a ceremonial groundbreaking was held Friday in the city of 7,000 residents.

School Superintendent Rob Clark recalled the day he learned that the Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation wanted to contribute $15 million to a new elementary school.

The donation, however, came with a catch. To get the money, voters had to approve $12.5 million in matching funds, and the community hadn’t approved a bond in more than 30 years.

But with $15 million at stake, the bond passed with 78 percent support.

An abandoned pea cannery will be demolished make way for Gib Olinger Elementary School.

Olinger played basketball for the University of Oregon in the 1930s, and was a business owner and school board member in Milton-Freewater.

The school is scheduled to open in 2018.