By DEB DAMMANN

For The Beachcomber

Here’s an idea for K2 that would bring good service sector jobs, academic professionals, retail and restaurant customers, economic, infrastructure and cultural amenities to Vashon — and would not change the character of the Island.

How would a small residential college fit with this community?

Conduct an online search and you’ll find a Web site for Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, one of the only accredited colleges in the United States offering a specialized integrative education for students with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or other specific learning disabilities.

Landmark looks for highly motivated students whose intellects make them hungry for higher education with programs designed specifically for their learning styles. These are students who may have done poorly in high school because the system does not serve well students whose learning styles do not fit the norm.

They may not have the SAT scores needed for admission to most colleges, and the “accommodations” of extra time for testing, etc., that institutions must provide for students with learning disabilities may not have been enough for them to get good grades in high school.

A college that looks beyond those standardized markers to the intelligence, talent and promise of these students can identify those who will go far given the right tools with which “to learn to learn.”

The educational approach, which includes assistive technology and other teaching strategies, works because students get tailored attention from effective instructors. Landmark offers a two-year transferable degree. With the skills they’ve achieved, students go on to four-year colleges. Teacher training is offered through Landmark College Institute for Research and Training.

I realize this sounds like a pitch for Landmark, but it’s a pitch for considering this model for a college on Vashon and not reinventing the wheel. One more thing: Landmark received a Congressional award for its work. This is a highly respected model for post-secondary education.

Starting a college is a huge undertaking needing substantial planning and funding. I don’t know how to do it, but it won’t surprise me if there are people on this amazing Island whose expertise would be equal to the challenge.

I’m certain this idea would attract the expertise of regional professionals, and it would fill a niche population that is under-served on the West Coast.

I’m equally certain that parents of students who need a specialized college level program would be knocking the doors down. Health care professionals, high school and community college counselors would refer students for a start.  

I believe that the money, which would be a lot, is out there for the project in the form of grants and possibly stimulus dollars because this endeavor would create jobs and improve the local economy.

A small residential college would provide good jobs for Islanders, bring a group of educators (a younger group rather than retirees) who would “fit” Vashon, attract audiences for our arts, consumers to our businesses and restaurants and serve a real need for intelligent students with promising futures.

I think it’s a viable solution for K2 and our town core and what a difference that would make to our Island economy!

What about water? Steps have already been taken by developers Dick Sontgerath and Truman O’Brien to address this issue. The water catchment system they propose is part of a good working solution. Another part of the solution might lie in the needs of the students themselves.

For some students with attention deficit disabilities, single-occupancy rooms are recommended. There would be no firm reason to have all students housed at K2 itself; off-campus situations could be considered to meet some housing needs, diminishing the water usage needs on site.  

What about the drug problem on the Island? For one thing, a college would need to provide for its own security. For another, the economic benefits of this idea would include King County providing increased crime prevention as well as other infrastructure improvements underwritten by an improved Island tax base.

There has recently been a discussion in the school district about bringing off-Island students to Vashon, and one of the benefits identified has been the diversity and increased educational offerings made possible. The same argument can be made for having a college culture in our midst.

By the way, the cost of  tuition, room and board at Landmark for the 2009-10 academic year is $54,000, much of which may be paid by medical insurance. That’s right. Students with diagnosed disabilities may have insurance coverage for much of the cost.

The list of benefits to the Island economy is long. This community puts a very high premium on education: becoming part of a solution for promising students with specific learning needs is a good fit.  And a lot of excellent thought and planning (with encouragement from the county) has gone into how to update a big empty building a little way from the town core. It’s a compelling, if nascent idea. Let’s think about it.

— Deb Dammann manages properties on Vashon.