HERMISTON – Teachers who work in the four public school districts nearest the Umatilla Chemical Depot might consider applying for grants offered by Washington Group International.

Washington Group, which operates the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF), plans to award $5,000 in grants to area teachers in early March.

The Education Grant Program is intended to give a boost to area science, math and technology teachers. Washington Group hopes the grants will allow teachers to provide classroom activities, projects, field trips, guest speakers or innovative approaches to learning that might not be possible in their budgets.

Washington Group will award ten $500 grants to teachers in Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield and Irrigon.

The program is a natural for Washington Group, said Protocol Manager Hal McCune, because the company has a tradition of supporting the communities where its employees work and live.

“While UMCDF is working to make the future safer and brighter for local communities by safely destroying chemical weapons, the company realizes students represent the greatest hope for the region’s future,” McCune said. “Washington Group wants to help some of our communities’ hard-working teachers connect with their students.”

Applications have been sent to the elementary, middle and high schools in the four communities. Applications also can be obtained by contacting McCune at 564-7304 or by e-mail at hal.mccune@wgint.com. The application deadline is Jan. 26.

The applications will be reviewed by Washington Group’s Community Partnership Committee, which oversees the charitable contributions made by UMCDF throughout the year.

Washington Group International provides integrated engineering, construction and management solutions around the United States and the world. It was chosen by the Army to construct and operate the chemical weapons incineration plant at the depot.