PASCO -- A regional public high school focused on science, technology, engineering and math will open in the Tri-Cities this August.

The Richland, Pasco and Kennewick school boards unanimously approved the plan at a joint meeting Tuesday, capping off two years of work by educators and community leaders to create a blueprint for the school and find the money to pay for it.

"I know that the process hasn't always been easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is," said Saul Martinez, Pasco School Board president. "I sincerely believe this school will open up not just lab doors, but doors to the future."

Leaders of the new school immediately will begin recruiting students.

About 100 freshmen will start classes in August, with a grade added each year until the school is full with 400 students. The curriculum will emphasize the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math, and help students make connections across subjects, officials said.

Internships and other learning experiences outside the classroom are expected to be a significant part of the program.

The three Tri-City school districts, Battelle and Washington State University Tri-Cities first publicly announced in August 2007 their interest in starting the school. Columbia Basin College more recently joined the partnership and offered the use of its old Richland campus as a home for the first few years.

Finances proved to be the biggest barrier. It was estimated that $8.2 million would be needed to open the school and keep it running for four years. After four years, it's expected to be self-sustaining.

Officials were able to identify most of the money through grants, community donations and public education dollars tied to enrollment, but the process took months and required the deadline for a decision to be pushed back more than once.

Battelle announced Monday that it's giving $1.2 million to the project, filling the gap and clearing the way for the school to launch in August.

School board members praised all the partners and community members who stepped in to help.

"I think that this (school) is a wonderful opportunity," said Lynn Fielding of the Kennewick School Board.

The joint meeting in Pasco lasted about an hour. The three school district superintendents and leaders from WSU Tri-Cities, CBC and Battelle were on hand to make their case to the boards.

About 40 people -- mostly Tri-City educators -- were in the audience. They clapped loudly after all three boards had taken their votes.

Each board unanimously passed a resolution agreeing to move forward with the school.

Before that happened, some board members said they were concerned about being able to sustain the school financially, especially because of possible state cuts to K-12 education in 2009-11.

The Richland board attached an addendum to its resolution asking that some specific concerns -- mainly related to finances and enrollment -- be addressed as further details of the school are worked out in the coming months.

"A lot of great work has been done. A lot of great work will have to continue to be done to sustain the school," said Peter Knollmeyer of the Richland board.

Officials said the school will benefit more than just its own student body because it'll help create a community that better understands science and technology.

"Many of the issues (we'll face) in the 21st century will require a STEM-literate citizenry," said Rich Cummins, CBC president.

The school and others like it also will help with the critical shortage of students pursuing STEM fields in college, officials said.

"The school is absolutely the right thing to do. The timing is absolutely right, not just for our community, but the nation," said Vicky Carwein, chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities.

Officials have emphasized that the school will be open to all students in the Tri-Cities, not only those who excel in math and science or plan to pursue careers in STEM fields.

The demographic makeup will be similar to that of other area public high schools.

Deidre Holmberg, planning principal, said she expects to hire four or five full-time teachers the first year. Officials now are determining how the hiring process will work.

A recruitment plan for students also already is in place, and information meetings for parents soon will be announced.

"I'm really anxious and excited to get my first crop of ninth-graders," Holmberg said.

A name for the school already has been picked and will be announced soon, possibly by the end of the week.

* Sara Schilling: 509-582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com