[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6383970,"mediaKeyId","2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309","parentId",2123235,"title","Board reviews calendar items: bond refunding, ELA adoption timeline and state-funded tutoring","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",2618000,"endMs",2760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309&start=2618&end=2760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309/thumbnail_2618000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6383970/Washington/Board-reviews-calendar-items-bond-refunding-ELA-adoption-timeline-and-state-funded-tutoring","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383970-a68c59455e85179cb9bb07dd9e18a0f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568256&Signature=MbIFt49B7mo-93JICsDtNQG1b4tgMi01vij2E2X2vBQ-6Gv2g4xF0l-wT64nkMG7CFYFb7vVDgWkPBj8Y3h7YeRD-V5~NKzx59tUs2G1KvekA2Ck2CDWCXWAOHbkixK8e54Q2r6g~gKFUzrtNRyEUnHIPBgw-oreBu2dw0XpliPzn27mNdLGmPm5aIyinma3Bsw--diyzX0y5Z5isHf7AiGGGbp4z4xviKYmm4KHHJlgo8V6mqtNGhZ8H28l2piBZ4DR6XQ1HoE8s~qpNFiL~zjvMHtfX4Brrom0Gw9DgfCSvq1LL6UdshkxLRNtjCPk~ZQVoyAr-hmSnWZgOXdEYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kennewick School District, WA","date","2025-01-16T22:11:26Z","article","At the retreat, board members reviewed several upcoming calendar and operational items and asked staff for brief public-facing updates.

Bond refunding: Finance staff told the board the district has continued implementing a bond-refunding plan discussed in a prior study session and that a resolution would be on the consent agenda at the next board meeting. Directors asked staff to provide a concise summary in the board update (two- to five-minute overview) explaining the refunding's savings to the community; staff agreed to prepare a brief presentation and to have finance staff available to answer questions.

ELA adoption: Curriculum staff said the English-language arts (ELA) adoption process is slated for a two-part presentation: part one on March 12 and part two on March 26, allowing the board time to review materials between presentations before any final decision. Staff said they will provide materials and host parent nights and committee review sessions in the spring; the board asked for sufficient lead time so directors can review adoption materials before decision points.

State-funded tutoring program: Board members asked about a state-funded online tutoring program mentioned earlier. Staff said a state-funded virtual tutoring option is currently available and that students can sign in via the district's identity management (RapidIdentity). Staff reported some teachers and students are using it but usage is not yet widespread. Staff noted the state-funded service's future depends on continued state funding and said the district will communicate availability and encourage usage while it is funded.

Board members requested succinct updates for the next meeting and agreed the bond refunding item could appear on consent if staff provide an easy-to-digest summary in the board update. No votes were taken on these items at the retreat.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Semi-Annual Retreat: January 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members reviewed several operational items: a bond-refunding resolution scheduled as a consent item, proposed ELA-adoption meeting dates in March, and a state-funded online tutoring program districts can use now.","taxTitle","Kennewick School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14814,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6383975,"Board reviews dual-language expansion at Eastgate and placement rules for kindergarten lottery",1699,3201000,4900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309&start=3201&end=4900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309/thumbnail_3201000.jpg","/articles/6383975/Washington/Board-reviews-dual-language-expansion-at-Eastgate-and-placement-rules-for-kindergarten-lottery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383975-c49869a8549c5418dce2980304333689/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568256&Signature=Tghx3jL6j4tce9lW2Kn9wclgUOJHWVlwkNEHYhfkPDWSfD0SxfdP~8GaxO0HtLbS1UQ40AFd16~VMH11AhnppcuvIJPue8iQ9Kp8judVLmvRFSisTKVeUG9LfBp9ULQ8WwZaSva6azjWbpwLmWBPvEzg-6-9dRiYnCLSer9nk--yn8JHXz8r4aXuvsDuGL8a27vgmcVVbynQQ9Osa~sk85fFB0c-Qc1~3qyNu3DMJbHhG-l4T2PT-VqtmbmdNHs63gpZPgOkFyIDOYLPIY~xBAdEF8E0jlTtWwvhl~dtAxlvfxGzhZtbuy32j2joJdqhFyEtLZvG-t~54XlhuRBN-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kennewick School District staff briefed the board on the district's dual-language program, its history, and current expansion and kinder-placement plans at Eastgate Elementary and Fuerza (a dual-language magnet).

Alyssa, a district staff member leading dual-language work, told the board the district's dual-language program began in the 2005–06 school year with small kindergarten classes and has grown to more than 1,300 K–8 students. Program models include two-way classrooms (mixed native English and native Spanish speakers) and one-way classrooms (primarily Spanish-home students). Instructional models vary: a single bilingual teacher may deliver both languages in the same classroom (a 1-teacher model) or two teachers (English and Spanish) may split the day (a 2-teacher model). The district follows a 50/50 instructional allocation for Spanish and English instructional minutes (excluding recess and specials).

Alyssa reviewed Eastgate's multi-year expansion. Planning began in early 2020 and Eastgate moved toward a two-way model in 2021; Eastgate currently has available capacity while Fuerza is full. Staff said Fuerza operates as a magnet with transportation and that some students travel over an hour to reach Fuerza. To reduce crowding and long bus routes, staff proposed adding about 12 kindergarten lottery spots at Eastgate for families residing east of Highway 395 (with west-of-395 families continuing to be invited to Fuerza), increasing Eastgate's kindergarten capacity in the spring placement process.

Staff described the placement process: Fuerza maintains separate English- and Spanish-side lottery lists, places siblings first, preserves a small buffer for sibling additions in August and contacts families from wait lists if openings arise. Eastgate is a neighborhood school; boundary residents are eligible for its dual program and the district maintains shuttle/transfer arrangements with Washington School for families who choose alternative placements. Staff also noted exceptions (for example, midyear arrivals who need bilingual services are often placed at Fuerza) and said they plan a gradual approach to transportation adjustments so families and routes are not disrupted abruptly.

Board members asked detailed operational questions about class sizes, staffing models, how students are exited from bilingual services (WIDA proficiency criteria), and whether the district has considered dual-language programs in languages other than Spanish. Staff said staffing availability (bilingual teachers) limits expansion beyond Spanish at present, though the district tracks other language groups.

Staff requested the board be informed before lottery communications go out so directors are prepared to answer questions; the board and staff agreed to proceed with the kinder-placement plan and further planning around transportation and sibling-placement transitions. No formal vote was taken at the retreat.","District staff updated the board on dual-language program growth (20 years old, 1,300+ K–8 students) and proposed adding roughly a dozen kindergarten lottery spots at Eastgate to reduce crowding at the Fuerza magnet program; staff described placement rules, models and next steps.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6383980,"Kennewick board signals early levy planning; schedules preliminary outreach and survey review",608,1584000,2192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309&start=1584&end=2192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309/thumbnail_1584000.jpg","/articles/6383980/Washington/Kennewick-board-signals-early-levy-planning-schedules-preliminary-outreach-and-survey-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383980-c54ff84e4715ff85c37687f8e98f9e2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568256&Signature=dwVdplamQtutargCmkf4pXTQKhe8dikgZWA6TbV7f38IpYPiains27mVxGEnF~JRSCVfk6KfIVWBBdOUTrxcD9s8oz6gd5tpuTGRpHIOc4YCXGTFsoCBc2wGFKaEtDYSEWOD7Ide5l9SL4pzbMYq3n-Tn3l1RRAxQbXJD~uu-yVlNLrJv4QAP0aO3VJBXyrIgpPnJI8ZxHugfy~mBQCQTC4geShh9qRbi-Ff3ZCUUpAHYICFnn1Rgf5YBL4swnPvX93RlWQY0ykSLR8xYZe18Rg2HxVFZMisQZMFvM2ghLEeaMMtJDiXUXCbgt~PZPWxAdqWMCUrHL-dzQ3wazYUag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the Kennewick School District retreat emphasized early and transparent levy planning, and asked staff to hold preliminary public conversations and outreach to prepare voters well in advance of any ballot measure.

Superintendent Dr. Pierce and board members discussed the timetable for a possible property-tax levy to appear on a February 2026 ballot. Staff said the legal filing deadline for a February 2026 levy is December 2025 and described the typical backward planning process: develop levy scenarios after the state budget is finalized, model rates and programs, then prepare resolutions for formal board action.

Staff confirmed the district’s external polling and focus work: a community survey administered by Sonar Insights was scheduled for the week of Jan. 27, with a results report expected about two to six weeks later (district staff estimated mid-March for a report). Board members said an April study session could be used for preliminary levy discussion and community outreach planning even if the final levy amount is not yet known. Members stressed the importance of transparent messaging to help the public understand how the levy number is developed and why the district might pursue a measure.

Board members also discussed using ongoing community touchpoints (PTO presentations, parent nights and study sessions) to start public education. Staff advised that sharing preliminary scenarios and the process earlier allows time to adjust strategy before formal resolutions and filing deadlines.

No vote or formal levy resolution was adopted at the retreat. Board members directed staff to include a preliminary levy conversation at an April study session and to return with survey results, enrollment data and suggested outreach strategies for board review.","Board members asked for early, public-facing levy planning and preliminary outreach; staff confirmed survey timing (week of Jan. 27) and mid-March results, and discussed the Dec. 2025 filing deadline for a potential February 2026 levy.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6383983,"Kennewick board discusses student banquet, explores creating a separate district foundation",825,314000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309&start=314&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2123235-3c331ac79b47070a18b747a0dcab2309/thumbnail_314000.jpg","/articles/6383983/Washington/Kennewick-board-discusses-student-banquet-explores-creating-a-separate-district-foundation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383983-1bcb4c9e0876fbe11bb3c23d67528416/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568256&Signature=c~gKI~OFuWXpy6jye3~1VMvNqGn4~2qg3kWbMpaJBDB2p9fGitJRi8rjI6xXu8GiU33BS7-PBTthcBYoqAQLuEuc3jX3oqe~c6Ocn4ZzhCc21Klq-uKq2v6BZ5cltNlCycxNwcTvMwEUn7TPY-PyHDR27tKwbJZK6roU~5bE-drAUK5BM9zLi1GiOaNOgsuxT56s~LWxsQsQZwzBXrNat~888q74mai5zrzTwQCYrTfdgfj4ZTXksZXX8nGIf85M58ajlhHuzBEWcfxNz5MQDHxzQG2I-4Qe-aWGqn37FwNrptkFRbahQswk-B429mj0UD8h~5PVUoO57qq8kxGmYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the Kennewick School District’s January retreat discussed creating an end-of-year banquet to honor graduating seniors and considered exploring a separate district foundation to raise private donations.

Board member Josh proposed a banquet to recognize a small group of outstanding seniors from each of the district’s three comprehensive high schools and the alternative high school, saying the event could celebrate students, teachers and parents. Dr. Pierce, the superintendent, and other board members discussed logistics and supported asking staff to draft a proposal and costing for a future meeting.

The proposed banquet would select about 15–20 students from each comprehensive high school plus a small group from the alternative high school, yielding roughly 45–60 honored students who could each bring parents and a teacher of their choosing. Josh suggested covering costs by using money the board members forgo by signing compensation waivers, noting that if board members decline compensation the district budgets those funds and they could be reallocated for a banquet. Board members discussed selection approaches including weighted GPA, category recognition (academic, athletics, service) and limiting the event’s size so it remains celebratory and manageable.

Separately, board members asked whether the district has a vehicle to accept private funds. Dr. Pierce described a district “Student Success Fund” held through the United Way as an existing option to receive earmarked donations, and said a separate foundation — a distinct 501(c)(3) — would be a different, stand-alone organization that could raise money, solicit grants and run fundraising campaigns. He said establishing a true foundation would require independent governance, could include a small number of ex officio board members without controlling the foundation’s direction, and typically needs community organizers or an executive director. He offered to provide more information and to share names of community members who had expressed interest.

Board members asked staff to draft the banquet proposal (including date, venue, selection criteria, program and cost estimates) and to return with proposals about next steps to explore a separate foundation. No formal action or vote was taken at the retreat; the board directed staff to return with proposals for further discussion.

The board placed the banquet and foundation conversation in the district’s broader priority of publicly recognizing school accomplishments, which the board set in its June self-assessment as one of three priorities for 2024–25.

Looking ahead, staff said they will prepare a written proposal and cost estimate and will reach out individually to board members for input before returning to the board with a more detailed plan.","At its January retreat the Kennewick School District board discussed creating an end-of-year banquet to honor graduating seniors and the possibility of a separate 501(c)(3) district foundation to raise private funds, and asked staff to draft a proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews calendar items: bond refunding, ELA adoption timeline and state-funded tutoring

Board reviews dual-language expansion at Eastgate and placement rules for kindergarten lottery

Kennewick board signals early levy planning; schedules preliminary outreach and survey review

Kennewick board discusses student banquet, explores creating a separate district foundation