EVERSON, Wash. -- The Meridian School District is getting nearly $10 million in state funding to help replace Irene Reither Primary School in Everson.

Incoming Meridian Superintendent Tom Churchill says the 30-year-old building needs to be replaced.

He says construction on the new school will begin next year.



He says the new Irene Reither Primary School will be built behind the current building, and students will be switched over to the new school in fall of 2014.

Meridian is one of 16 school districts approved for a combined $213 million by the state legislature and the governor.

The state money announced last week matches bond funds that voters in the meridian school district approved last year in order to build new facilities.