[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6373597,"mediaKeyId","2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57","parentId",2145755,"title","Elementary principals outline reading-focused improvement plans; Strong Start family engagement viewed as beneficial","audioSeconds",506,"startMs",2893000,"endMs",3399000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57&start=2893&end=3399","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57/thumbnail_2893000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373597/Washington/Elementary-principals-outline-reading-focused-improvement-plans-Strong-Start-family-engagement-viewed-as-beneficial","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373597-8603b996928d9cc1dce40a3b1417a3ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773651437&Signature=l5AgAe5ScU3M0fBA7BWkGi2Zj5Cd0lBWuH48mdj2LiUSmPimaTTTj23a-~ezO4zis7qcbuG3FMyQYVitfOtXfA7cFZeondvdKbEjzAj1589ZQ4~~eEFbfKsDjuKmn0zrgWN7jbBD-L2suf9dOHGfFfbP44L0MjxXKUJZlyt6a3RaVx2yIYXhSth-KZELj~FhatfUN2Z7Iy8UMrYjD9TgCbTGm6sO6fyU05rPhrUi8lN0JaWbXmFFqVFIiQnEN2jgMq8FORfVJTJz1YNbuR6HsWwHfRNbYZjXHaQAOV1VdDlbtjNKtV37~CDwAEXdhkkfN4hGsKP7nGQPWViXxWAIlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tumwater School District, Washington","date","2025-01-24T04:19:35.63Z","article","Two elementary principals presented school improvement plans on Jan. 23 that emphasize reading interventions, tiered supports through an MTSS framework and stronger family engagement; district staff also reported that the Strong Start program drew strong positive feedback from parents and staff.

Little Rock Elementary Principal Tamara (last name not specified in the transcript) summarized assessment results and said the school will continue to prioritize data-driven decisions, strengthen Tier 1 instruction and expand targeted math supports where needed. Tamara described a schoolwide \"walk-to\" intervention program for reading that groups students in small cohorts and uses six-week cycles to reassign interventions based on progress. She highlighted gains in K–2 and more mixed results in grades 3–5.

Peter G. (\"Peter Gee\") Elementary Principal Kim Doughty described a multi-pronged approach that includes culture, learning and systems: a district-aligned MTSS coordinator to analyze data, a focus on raising the Tier 1 proficiency target toward 80%, and strategic use of Title funds and paraprofessional support. Doughty said winter data collection was underway and that the school is using a six- to eight-week problem-solving cycle to adjust interventions.

Strong Start family engagement
Wendy Bromley, executive director of human resources, and Liz (last name not specified) briefed the board about Strong Start — a district program that schedules brief family‑teacher meetings and orientation activities as school starts. Bromley said district and building surveys found about 69% of parents and about 69% of staff said the Strong Start events were “absolutely beneficial.” She said 96.3% of elementary families attended Strong Start events in person where offered, and principals described benefits including the ability to conduct one‑on‑one conversations, provide translation services and build early relationships.

Why it matters: Principals argued that early, targeted reading intervention and systematic data review help reduce the number of students needing intensive Tier 3 services. The Strong Start activities are intended to build family‑school relationships that support attendance, early intervention and student readiness.

Program and curriculum notes
Peter G. and Little Rock staff said reading intervention programs and new curriculum adoptions (Reading: phonics intervention by Anita Archer; district adoption cycle for Wonders and i-Ready referenced) are part of a broader push to upgrade instructional materials and intervention fidelity. Principals invited board members and the community to observe school-level intervention models.

Next steps
Schools will continue winter data collection, update SIP plans with winter results and report progress to the board. District staff said they will refine communication around Strong Start to address community questions and consider standardized forms or scripts so the practice is implemented consistently across buildings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TSD Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Principals from Little Rock and Peter G. Elementary presented school improvement plans prioritizing reading intervention and MTSS cycles; district officials reported high family attendance for Strong Start events and recommended continuing the program with improved communications.","taxTitle","Tumwater School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",38513,"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},6373602,"Sunwood Lakes residents petition to move to Tumwater School District; board to name negotiator",69,4300000,4369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57&start=4300&end=4369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57/thumbnail_4300000.jpg","/articles/6373602/Washington/Sunwood-Lakes-residents-petition-to-move-to-Tumwater-School-District-board-to-name-negotiator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373602-71c305cc8677091cbef0f74689516d2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773651437&Signature=jEDh~F-HuAc9fQYd70wMBLpvX8U~WBulW2FeLK2-iaDL4x4G5BLxv5Qp4143X~kyPXvNTtfS8EU80g2XY9HXA-mYwfheVJ~-uWYJkd-NhZB1RnrlwpPKlKCdTXj8HdlwrM-rBmx3Npu3cwK6XlZtzbm0Jh3Wj7syNQ3NbNzp-A~yNxfzdrvymNgNlJ9ukobbGwazsBFamM8OW~rRgJMU-1mQrhtNaeiDk6qTNoSLYcCEq1MPFzoJSZrsztI0Qd93ZtdQ8O5s5cg59gfzfHi~ktJ33hXkAjwIwLnS1G9iEZf9hwC5XkCOJ17NmMdpKQRGbNLS3wZBlAOl~yPsZ2gEiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents of the Sunwood Lakes community filed a petition to move a cluster of addresses from the Yelm School District into the Tumwater School District, and the regional educational service district has certified the petition, Assistant Superintendent Ben Rarick told the board on Jan. 23.

Rarick said more than 50% of the addresses in the petition area had signed the request and the ESD had verified the signatures. Under statute, the two affected school districts must meet and negotiate whether to approve the boundary change; if the districts disagree, the matter may be referred to a regional committee for resolution.

Why it matters: A successful boundary change would transfer responsibility for K–12 education for that cluster of homes from Yelm to Tumwater. Petitioners cited transportation reliability and local levy outcomes among their reasons for requesting the change.

Board action and timeline
Rarick said state law sets a 90-day negotiation window; either district can request a 30-day extension. The board was asked to designate a district negotiator to meet with a Yelm designee and the ESD. Director Ty Kiel volunteered to serve as a district designee, according to comments in the meeting.

Next steps
District staff will coordinate with the ESD and with the Yelm School District to schedule negotiations, prepare information about transportation and fiscal implications, and determine whether a public forum for petitioners and residents should be included in the negotiation process. The item will return to the board for any required approvals or follow‑up action.","A petition from Sunwood Lakes residents asking to transfer a cluster of addresses from Yelm School District to Tumwater has been certified by the ESD; the board was asked to designate a negotiator to meet with Yelm and the ESD under the statutory process.",{"_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},6373607,"Board accepts donated wrestling practice building from Black Hills boosters",823,2794000,3617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57&start=2794&end=3617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57/thumbnail_2794000.jpg","/articles/6373607/Washington/Board-accepts-donated-wrestling-practice-building-from-Black-Hills-boosters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373607-aed2d7056397426c98a68c4f14e5191a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773651437&Signature=nwwFpDow02H41WqYHfSf2lLQO6paXdrx09ijMqbXqdiR4aLnFFHszLaCfDNJ5buacuyjY6Fs9Es9jHVk-9MODg4eQLGhCU-WjTbV0HuVgAS6MAQiYUPIx0aAI1vks1GaSo0-B4xCYv4R9YXGrLAJpm7Eo2SPTbWjbzlX-UwUMWpNHbdv7FGuY6vU8Bk~B2wFmhtq0~-pd0xWbKqoDHkaGrlzhs1QrBR789b2AIoO9ywSWq5Szk-bN~ivijUjayXEA8nZB8-dCSKKlMg-j632R2-Pl7nLVT~sOcvnP6bN2q2cpIRNw9KqWduLLzSLbXtIgQY8ZnPDqmfWxTVDYd3nPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tumwater School District Board of Directors voted on Jan. 23 to accept the donation of a new wrestling practice building proposed by the Black Hills Wolves Wrestling booster organization.

Facilities Director Mel Murray told the board the proposed structure is a roughly 4,400-square-foot light-commercial building with a concrete slab, wood framing and electric heat. Murray said the Black Hills Wolves Wrestling 501(c)(3) and parent volunteers would fund and construct the building; the district would take ownership and be responsible for ongoing energy and maintenance costs once construction is complete and the building is accepted.

Board members asked procedural questions about fundraising, public-works laws and facility-use agreements. Director Taylor asked for an MOU or facility-use agreement and clarity about fundraising and donation-approval policy before final acceptance; a motion to table the decision until Feb. 27 failed and the board subsequently approved the donation.

Why it matters: The donated building would create year‑round practice space for high school and youth wrestling programs and could later be repurposed by the district. Mel Murray said no district funds would be used for construction and that the donors understand public-works prevailing-wage requirements.

Key board concerns and answers given
- Energy and maintenance: Murray confirmed the district would pay ongoing utility and maintenance costs after the building becomes a district asset, similar to other donated facilities already on district property.
- Fundraising and timing: Murray and project volunteers said construction would not begin until funds were secured and permitting was complete.
- Facility use: The booster group plans to site the building behind Building B near the bus area; the district retains the right to change building use later.

Board motion and vote
After discussion and requests for follow-up documentation (MOU, fundraising plan and confirmation of compliance with donation policies), the board voted to accept the donation. The board scheduled no additional conditions in the adopted motion beyond the donation acceptance but had requested the booster group and district staff to provide the additional documentation described during the discussion.

Next steps
District staff will work with the booster group on permits, confirm compliance with prevailing‑wage and donation policies, and ensure an MOU or facility‑use agreement clarifies use, maintenance and timing before construction proceeds. Murray said the boosters will not start construction until fundraising is complete.","The Tumwater School District board voted to accept a donated 4,400-square-foot wrestling practice building to be constructed by Black Hills Wolves Wrestling boosters and volunteers; trustees discussed fundraising timeline, facility-use agreements and policy alignment before approving acceptance.",{"_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},6373610,"Parent alleges staff failed to call 911 after student seizure at Bush Middle School",185,1289000,1474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57&start=1289&end=1474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","/articles/6373610/Washington/Parent-alleges-staff-failed-to-call-911-after-student-seizure-at-Bush-Middle-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373610-29aeec33c001936f3f944629fa011ab3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773651437&Signature=LeQh44Pohi~by~zt96WUAnOiAjWBdTF4V9qImPwdBlRoifEIOrf0Zh1vl4rBN8s~DXMyu0jOnyTUzsxklFFOLpla7Ajff63wTLWbj0LnmHY9sryD9yklVfpb2BSH57xxc~j3JUX1VW~2LsvWhq7Wa-hfszfVxdmUyuxtxe76D~GAjkP4EHbftHZyMMMsnRwarFVis6tO14ipsR0L7CXKqtmTRmziXGtNgUHnaXq2Oxq6SHuW3IvF9dayR5TTPgqdU09exaSO7qMyVUoZHZnYqZClO7DoIMItMBD~djK88TNn0G-5gqMQizHQMaAIxa5OnLh~fxTgYHiECL8xREJQ5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Tumwater parent told the school board on Jan. 23 that her son experienced seizures and a subsequent traumatic brain injury on the first day of school and alleged school staff failed to call 911 or follow state guidance.

In public comment, the parent (identified in the meeting transcript as Selena) described her son’s first-day medical emergency, saying he had “been experiencing absence seizures for over an hour” before he fell from a stool, hit his head and later went into a grand mal seizure. Selena said staff described the student’s breathing as “shattered,” which she clarified as “not breathing,” and that 911 was not called. She said the student later was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Why it matters: The parent said the student’s emergency action plan and individualized education program were not shared with or reviewed by staff who were responsible for him, and she characterized the response as a failure of emergency procedures that “could have cost him his life.” The parent requested a district review of medical emergency procedures, mandatory staff training, improved communication of teacher assignments before the first day of school, and accountability for staff actions.

What the parent asked the board to do
Selena asked the board to:
- Improve notification and timing of teacher assignments so families can communicate plans before the first day of school;
- Review and strengthen medical emergency procedures and confirm staff readiness at the start of each school year;
- Require mandatory staff training on reviewing students’ medical profiles and emergency‑response steps; and
- Hold staff accountable, up to termination, if negligence is confirmed.

Attribution and limits
The account delivered at public comment is an allegation as recounted by the parent in the meeting. The district did not make a statement at the board meeting in response to the parent’s comments; the transcript does not include a district investigation outcome or confirmation of the timeline beyond the public comment. The parent cited OSPI guidance on head injuries and seizure response as part of her request that emergency response steps be followed.

Next steps noted in the meeting
The parent asked specifically for the district’s partnership and for action to ensure other students do not experience the same outcome; the board took public comment but did not announce an investigative outcome at the meeting. The parent concluded by requesting the district investigate and implement the changes she described.

Context
Board members and staff did not discuss a specific personnel action during the meeting in response to this comment. District policies and state guidelines govern emergency medical response and the sharing of individualized medical plans; the parent cited OSPI guidance for head injuries and seizure response during her remarks.","A parent told the board a child suffered seizures and a traumatic brain injury on the first day of school and alleged staff did not call 911 or follow OSPI guidance; the parent requested a review of emergency procedures, mandatory staff training, and accountability.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373612,"Tumwater board approves interfund loan, directs cuts after $4 million shortfall",455,3694000,4149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57&start=3694&end=4149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145755-16a35dd306fd3d6025e7b8210f9d6d57/thumbnail_3694000.jpg","/articles/6373612/Washington/Tumwater-board-approves-interfund-loan-directs-cuts-after-4-million-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373612-0252f860b2b353a4e91299d00b3a5457/orig.mp4?Expires=1773651437&Signature=Mvr2ueAPIbuP7tCTxPHwDBgFkpWis2LxPegwjWuILOT1Yb6~8~pVffYmgleMUJJ46yZV8oEPSy4osdpEcCHTkQ1tfVnBuT9eG7mi9-G1jWntkDjoKxrjGnVyV-xTFK8JqIxvbM0LSc9Embnsxk00M36ddBGK0ETCg2KpYCvmAxqvGsGBLlbTQ7bdLOzmjdB8sFgjbt9dHUMKFELsYyAmk8jXiHvWmH0cJfIp3x45S4hTg5OoCMHMZIDw3Klqvtxyl8gJNaudBVMi6ZEzGavX3vJBF5HjQbtY~1KCc232zFIaHyx0mSR8NB0QCD~gxaFlBtfsv9K8HGVXtiV9tNadgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tumwater School District Board of Directors on Jan. 23 approved an interfund loan to cover a cash shortfall and adopted a resolution directing reductions in educational support programs as district leaders warned the district could run out of cash by March.

The board voted to borrow $4,000,000 from the district capital fund for cash-flow purposes and approved a resolution described by Assistant Superintendent Ben Rarick as directing the district not to include 27 positions (23.1 full-time equivalents) in next year’s budget. Rarick said the steps are the first in a multi-step plan to balance next year’s budget.

Why it matters: District officials said lower-than-expected student enrollment and higher operating costs left the district with insufficient cash to meet payroll without the loan; the staffing reductions, temporary pay changes and other measures are intended to preserve the district’s ability to operate through the 2025–26 budget year.

Key details
- Interfund loan: Kira Acker, director of financial services, told the board the district will borrow $4,000,000 from the capital fund “for cash flow purposes” until levy and other revenues arrive in the spring. Acker said the capital fund had sufficient balance to provide the loan.
- Program reductions: Rarick said the adopted reduction resolution covers 27 positions equaling 23.1 FTE. He described the reductions as focused “on programs and services that are furthest away from the classroom and outside of schools.”
- Administrator pay and furloughs (transparency): Rarick stated the superintendent intends to freeze salary increases next year for administrators and non‑represented staff and to implement three unpaid furlough days for administrators (four days for the superintendent and the assistant superintendent of finance and operations). He described that step as a non‑bargaining action to reduce costs that does not require a board vote.

What the board said and voted
Assistant Superintendent Ben Rarick framed the decisions as painful but necessary. “The district will literally run out of cash in the month of March,” Rarick told the board before asking for the vote on the reduction resolution. Kira Acker told the board the loan is needed because monthly state funding timing and a shortfall in expected enrollment revenue have reduced available cash.

Board action and next steps
The board approved the interfund loan resolution and the reduction-in-education-program resolution at the Jan. 23 business meeting. Rarick said the reductions are a first step and that some affected employees may remain on payroll for months depending on the contract end dates; the reductions direct that the positions not be included in next year’s budget. Rarick urged community advocacy to the state legislature to seek additional K–12 funding.

Community reaction and consequences
Multiple employees and community members spoke during public comment earlier in the meeting about specific positions under threat, the proposed furloughs and the planned elimination of bus aide roles. Bus aides and classified staff described their roles in student safety, student behavior support and day-to-day operations; they warned that eliminating those positions could increase pressure on bus drivers and custodial and maintenance staff.

Budget context and enrollment
A district financial update presented in the meeting packet showed an ending cash balance and monthly expenditures that, officials said, required short-term borrowing. Acker said capital projects held roughly $1,450,000 in available funds and that the $4 million loan was available in the capital fund for the district to use for cash flow. The district reported being under its budgeted K–12 average FTE by about 49 students at the January count, a gap that district staff quantified as roughly $400,000 in revenue shortfall relative to the budget.

What the district will do now
District staff will implement the reductions as directed, prepare next year’s budget without the affected positions, and monitor cash flow through the spring. Officials said they will continue to pursue state assistance and encouraged community members to contact legislators about pupil transportation, MSOC (material, supplies and operating costs), and special education funding.

Votes at a glance
- Interfund loan resolution (Resolution 062425): Approved (motion moved and seconded; board voted to approve). The motion authorized borrowing $4,000,000 from the capital fund for cash flow.
- Reduction in educational program (Resolution 072425): Approved (motion moved and seconded; board voted to approve; one board member recorded an abstention). The resolution directs that the positions listed in the resolution not be included in next year’s budget and includes the superintendent’s non‑voted recommendations to freeze compensation increases for certain employees and to implement furlough days for administrators.
- Note: The meeting included other votes (see separate articles and the meeting minutes).","Facing a projected cash shortfall, the Tumwater School District board approved a $4 million interfund loan from the capital fund and adopted a reduction-in-education-services resolution that directs cuts affecting 27 positions (23.1 FTE) and temporary pay/benefit changes for some administrators.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elementary principals outline reading-focused improvement plans; Strong Start family engagement viewed as beneficial

Sunwood Lakes residents petition to move to Tumwater School District; board to name negotiator

Board accepts donated wrestling practice building from Black Hills boosters

Parent alleges staff failed to call 911 after student seizure at Bush Middle School

Tumwater board approves interfund loan, directs cuts after $4 million shortfall