How Manson School District and The Community Center Are Shaping the Future of Local Youth

When Tabatha Mires accepted the role of Superintendent of the Manson School District, she brought with her a deep appreciation for small-town life and the way communities in North Central Washington look after their own. A lifelong resident of the region—born and raised in Waterville—Mires has spent her career working in rural education, where connection and collaboration are not just ideals but daily necessities.

Now in her third year leading Manson’s schools, she says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work has been witnessing how the Chelan Valley continually rallies around its children.

“Everywhere you look,” she says, “people are wrapping around kids and families. That’s the heartbeat of this valley.”

That community spirit was on full display when the district made a bold move this year—transitioning to a four-day school week. The change was part of a statewide pilot aimed at improving efficiency and innovation in education. But for a small district like Manson, it also raised a very practical question: what happens on Fridays?

A Partnership that Made It Possible

The answer came through a powerful partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Lake Chelan Community Center. The collaboration, she says, has been “nothing short of transformative.”

“The Boys & Girls Club is really what made the four-day school week possible for us,” Mires explains. “They immediately stepped up and said, we’ll make it happen. They built programs for before-school, after-school, and full-day Fridays so parents had a safe, structured option—and students had access to meaningful experiences.”

The Club’s location inside the 44,000-square-foot Lake Chelan Community Center means Manson students now have access to classrooms, art and tech spaces, and a full range of activities—from STEM challenges to creative workshops to tutoring. Bus routes now run directly between Manson and the Center, even for early drop-off at 6 a.m., giving working families a lifeline of consistency and care.

“It’s been a game-changer for our community,” Mires says. “And the staff at the Club are incredible. They’re educators at heart, just like us. They meet kids where they are.”

The Club’s local director, Angela Collins, a former teacher in the Lake Chelan School District, has helped bridge that connection. “Having someone who understands both education and youth programming has made this partnership seamless,” Mires adds. “It’s all about creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

A Valley That Rallies

What’s happening in Manson, Mires believes, is part of something larger—a shared vision for how the Chelan Valley takes care of its own. From Thrive Chelan Valley to Rotary’s reading programs, from faith-based volunteers to local firefighters teaching fire-safety lessons, she says the examples are endless.

“Whether it’s a family in need, a student facing a challenge, or a new project like The Community Center, this valley comes together,” she says. “In a world that can feel divided, that’s something precious and rare.”

That unity extends to projects like the Lake Chelan Community Center, which Mires sees as both a physical space and a symbol of what collaboration can achieve.

“The Center fills so many needs at once—childcare, recreation, learning, gathering, wellness,” she explains. “It’s affordable, it’s welcoming, and it’s built with heart.”

Looking Ahead: A Place for Performance and Play

For Mires, the next phase of The Community Center—now under construction thanks to a major gift and a $2 million community matching fund—represents even greater possibilities.

“Gym space is limited everywhere,” she notes. “When we add two full courts and a performing-arts stage, it’s not just about sports—it’s about expression, creativity, and pride. We’ll finally have a space for concerts, theater, tournaments, and events right here at home.”

“If you can give, your generosity benefits the entire Valley… the return is measured in our children.”

The benefits, she says, extend beyond the school district. “Families won’t have to drive to Wenatchee or Yakima for these opportunities. The experiences our kids will have here will ripple through the whole community.”

Mires also sees potential for community education events—evening workshops, parenting sessions, wellness programs—where residents can learn together. “That’s the beauty of this building,” she says. “It’s designed to bring people together across generations.”

Building a Sustainable Future

Asked what gives her confidence in The Community Center’s long-term viability, Mires points to its responsiveness.

“They listen. When a need arises—whether it’s office space for nonprofits, after-school care, or a place for local meetings—they find a way to make it work,” she says. “That flexibility is what will keep it strong.”

Indeed, the Lake Chelan Housing Trust, another organization close to Mires’s heart, recently moved its offices into the Center, joining a growing list of nonprofit tenants sharing space, ideas, and purpose. “Those daily hallway conversations between organizations are how great collaborations begin,” she notes.

An Invitation to Step Inside

Mires has a simple message for parents and residents who haven’t yet visited:  “Stop in. You’ve probably driven by and heard about it, but there’s so much already happening—families chatting in the café, toddlers playing indoors, teens at the Boys & Girls Club, adults working out or meeting in offices. It’s alive, and it’s ours.”

She also hopes more people will support its next phase through the year-end matching campaign, which doubles every dollar donated toward completing the gym and paying down construction debt.

“If you can give, you’ll be investing in the future of our Valley,” she says. “The return on that investment is measured in our children—their opportunities, their confidence, their sense of belonging.”

Her optimism extends to The Community Center’s long-term future: “Every month, more people realize this is their space—a place to meet, learn, and connect. It’s affordable, welcoming, and built for everyone.”

When asked what she’d say to potential donors supporting The Community Center’s year-end matching campaign, Mires doesn’t hesitate:

“If you can give, your generosity benefits the entire Valley. You’ll see the return on that investment in the lives of our kids—not just today, but for generations.”

Then, with a smile that hints at both pride and optimism, she adds: “Right now is the right time—because your gift goes twice as far.”

To learn more or make a tax-deductible contribution, visit our fundraising page or contact Executive Director Maribel Cruz at maribel@chelancommunity.org.