[{"_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",6283739,"mediaKeyId","2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39","parentId",2586037,"title","District reports post‑COVID stall in ninth‑grade on‑track rates; students recommend event safety and supports","audioSeconds",3783,"startMs",3394000,"endMs",7177000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39&start=3394&end=7177","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39/thumbnail_3394000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283739/Washington/District-reports-postCOVID-stall-in-ninthgrade-ontrack-rates-students-recommend-event-safety-and-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283739-6371e7575d8c65fd4bdde317783b1bb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733339&Signature=M8S7yP7~nzR2iSmbUY1R1C8hzS4LES3zOPryxDi7CgQi4WXHcSjb6OiKZpHKKt5vduLp0RU566Yab2U~19jSETj8ytx8L0iFNmCzanAoz1WHcXuU3KhPd8bUo50xVYEi0obksnUkOiVRpnKieRL48uB7MJQfZDkAXYrI7jZiAdC5yO93UHso6FNOiTRMzlWLadZT6gU4fnB2D4bATzc4bYkEksiLjgXeodGRQ3lw82ahvJlXYCqwcf3hRUO1K0072F6vuYcDyw6FJyuIiF~edYWze8O88D-gBQYXg8oGSqFqQ8yhXvoBudItRC7KKJqfGXQTlIfH0LwFOcPI7oLFNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pasco School District, WA","date","2025-03-12T15:49:13Z","article","Superintendent Michelle Whitney presented the board with the district’s progress-monitoring report focused on ninth‑grade on‑track status, an indicator the district uses to predict graduation outcomes. Whitney said the district’s ninth‑grade on‑track rate rose from 46% in 2016 to nearly 83% pre‑pandemic and has since softened to roughly the low 70% range in recent cohorts.

Whitney said the district uses a combination of core-instruction fidelity, benchmark assessments and an early-warning system to identify ninth graders at risk of falling off track. At the high school level the district has begun using the STAR benchmark assessment; staff said teachers use STAR at the high school, middle and elementary levels to inform professional learning teams and to target interventions during EI and Hawk Time. Staff also described in‑semester individual plans, weekly grade-level team reviews and credit-recovery options (after‑school tutoring, extended trimester credit recovery and Saturday school) that are in place to support students.

Student representatives and members of the Superintendent’s Student Action Council reported on a February meeting where students split into school groups to exchange ideas. The council prioritized several steps following a February athletic incident: adding security and best practices at sporting events, clearer communication of attendee expectations, using the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) reporting tool for incidents involving visitors from other districts, and targeted supports for affected students. Students described the meeting tone as “heavy” but focused on healing and constructive suggestions; the superintendent said the district has engaged a third party to support healing work and continues internal efforts.

Board members and student representatives discussed possible contributors to the trimester decline in passing rates—staff and students cited springtime absences, travel and chronic attendance issues as likely factors—and stressed the importance of improving attendance and strengthening the eighth-to-ninth-grade transition. Whitney said staff will explore vertical alignment between middle and high schools to identify students needing support before ninth grade and will report back with more analysis, including correlations between attendance and failure rates.

Ending: The district will continue to expand STAR usage at the high school level, strengthen early-warning/vertical alignment strategies and return with more data on attendance correlations and the effects of targeted interventions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 11, 2025 | Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Michelle Whitney reported that ninth‑grade on‑track rates rose pre‑COVID to about 83% but have since slipped to the low 70s; the Student Action Council recommended added event security, reporting tools and healing supports after a recent athletic incident, and staff described STAR assessments and early‑warning interventions.","taxTitle","Pasco School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14815,"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},6283744,"Pasco School District awarded $2 million state grant to replace Pasco High D Hall HVAC",775,2809000,3584000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39&start=2809&end=3584","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39/thumbnail_2809000.jpg","/articles/6283744/Washington/Pasco-School-District-awarded-2-million-state-grant-to-replace-Pasco-High-D-Hall-HVAC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283744-45c407845400522348143c02e297ea33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733339&Signature=o2poF6e3AICOjnm9R4na5liSSpJRAFQfpkUQ7QDyXd1Blwh1BToWVvfpC3wzzziHaTi3HiyzR02CS-XRawbA1nFrxyZ~AeES0wtl5WCeVJ3F1i4krGimslhRSsGoI4aMstjADJMJPQwPW2wTBQU2~MpMLNpusLfp5AAnmjjvord-HgDl3C3hqQXwybgmuHIp-E00a5g-3c0cF5ovM5ovHoaX2oldYNdNwOoEPS7nDeb4s02nxrRpgknbgSrU1BssMrGJXguQXcer8iiOb68laV9vfvsoGpASfKS0CH3c~aMorJjelbxMdcxB7Vn5DQoChE42V9kXPHZpMQzU37BVyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant Superintendent (Operations) provided the board an update announcing that the Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded the Pasco School District approximately $2,000,000 under the Clean Buildings program to fund energy-efficiency improvements.

The district said the grant will fully fund replacement of the HVAC equipment in Upper and Lower D Hall at Pasco High School. Staff said they would advertise the work beginning the next day, expect bids in April and anticipate completing classroom-by-classroom replacement at a pace staff estimated as roughly “a classroom a week” once work begins.

The operations team also said it is partnering with Engineering Economics Inc. to complete energy audits and energy-management plans for middle and elementary schools, with the goal of complying with the Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The district said additional grant opportunities may be available this summer and that staff will apply for those funds to extend energy-efficiency work across more sites.

Board members asked whether the $2 million fully covers the D Hall work (staff said yes), how quickly construction would start (advertising starts the next day; bids expected in April) and whether the grant-funded work will include both replacement equipment and energy audits (staff said replacement equipment and audits are included in the planned work). The board applauded staff for securing the grant and noted the potential to reduce energy use and improve classroom conditions.

Ending: Staff said they will return with contract and bid information for board review and that construction scheduling and coordination with Pasco High School will be presented in April.","The district announced a roughly $2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to replace HVAC systems in Upper and Lower D Hall at Pasco High School and to fund energy audits and plans at middle and elementary schools.",{"_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},6283749,"Board approves Feb. 25 minutes and consent agenda; roll-call recorded for consent items",776,294000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39&start=294&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39/thumbnail_294000.jpg","/articles/6283749/Washington/Board-approves-Feb-25-minutes-and-consent-agenda-roll-call-recorded-for-consent-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283749-b9db5d7e2c090a79bcf0336a988e2f6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733339&Signature=AzDwn85tIyYeA8WCE89hRdqVYDTnxwjvdYPhkC594fgS0ejP~NIRmqoPEvUyA9DxtowYQ9tfCqq2u4YYLxTxyv44Cdepf3M-5UPnW36khxzJY4J0tLPet-qzpRMrpydh6urvlxkun-e7P8uARAsm0zjfQDouLbo8RLEWypd8x3n9EN5bPm8K6tauhzJPQLbXVeTuFdbvbK~yPEB0KV5Bk8i0IsWdlFIgBJRMj52F2Nk7~LUSObgNNHLa9KliHj3KvffQ~GJLUgNaV2nRIaX3-aJIoUPGBqOfV-fq2D0AAfPTXSx0rw1hD5tDf73paARUFkQKDuirdyHzsLi5-BCj-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pasco School District Board of Directors approved two routine items during the meeting: the minutes from the regular board meeting on Feb. 25, 2025, and the evening’s consent agenda.

A board member moved to approve the minutes from Feb. 25, 2025; a second was recorded and the board approved the minutes by voice vote.

The consent agenda covered multiple routine items: personnel actions; warrants; asset preservation program building condition assessments; revisions to board policies 11.15 (student representatives to the board) and 16.30 (evaluation of the superintendent); overnight student travel (speech and debate, wind ensemble, music program, DECA); approval of the 2025–26 school calendar; Resolution No. 1053 (transfer from Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund); approval of the State Transitional Bilingual Program Annual Plan and related application package; and approval of conditional certificates.

A motion and second were recorded for the consent agenda; Miss Richardson called the roll. Board President Brown and other named directors recorded votes (Miss Brown: yes; Doctor Kennedy: aye; Doctor Warner: yes). The board clerk announced additional “yes” responses and the consent agenda passed.

Ending: The approvals were routine and carried without recorded dissent. No substantive policy changes were adopted as part of these votes; items requiring separate board action were not included in the consent agenda.","The Pasco School District board approved the regular meeting minutes from Feb. 25, 2025 by voice vote and approved the consent agenda (personnel, travel, policies, calendar and other routine items) by roll call.",{"_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},6283754,"Pasco board hears $4.8 million midyear gap, directs staff to prepare levy planning",3479,1079000,4558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39&start=1079&end=4558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2586037-a32667d938bab5f2dd564e2894186c39/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","/articles/6283754/Washington/Pasco-board-hears-48-million-midyear-gap-directs-staff-to-prepare-levy-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283754-9081204af09bb00d20881d426ae4dce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770733339&Signature=ODQ3cwS76F1px5sSvwnwgrbKUmOoioCyqJ6kuBv3KuhQ32ylE9SWTYEvpXAcVVyTS0NiAc-C7Qbf4sv9whu2I9zus805yHmUaYdRbxypFSG5f6qOLS9Y7Uc73~tjDJizzGQboe-ygSakZFWVnGoXKTRlXiVCOD-AuYAQzRP4UdRyhijVTSMeztCBO9N5mHPAluwJDzisZMBx1ALeSdRQAKObAoPVoXvUZTYul0SCNLEyyQojVW3oHYgYRcqjXhizgPCxoEZAJ8PTL-shvfUh0t4MakSDblcxt974iwFIyiNUR33TZG~4iTAwA86j9eHg9kZK3muXS-Ad~PXP1DRZFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Hebden, head of financial services for Pasco School District, told the school board the district faces a projected $4.8 million shortfall against board-authorized expenditure authority for the 2024–25 fiscal year and outlined steps staff are taking to address that gap.

Hebden told the board the district has spent about $172.7 million in the first half of the year and that if spending patterns continued as in prior years the forecast would reach about $337.7 million, exceeding the board-authorized level by about $4.8 million. He cited rising insurance premiums, higher operating costs, the cap on local levies and state funding gaps for special education as drivers of “financial tension.”

The presentation included numbers Hebden and staff described as the current best estimates: health and liability premiums rose from roughly $2.3 million in 2020–21 to about $4.5 million in 2024–25, with staff citing a reported baseline 15% increase for next year that could push premiums toward $5.1 million. Special-education revenues for the year were shown at $39.3 million against estimated program costs of about $40.4 million, a roughly $1 million gap that staff said may be partly offset if the district qualifies for Special Education Safety Net funding later in the fiscal year.

Hebden described short-term measures already in motion: a targeted budget freeze, closer review of departmental spending plans and ongoing discussions with principals, budget managers and labor partners. He said recent state transportation safety-net funds and higher-than-expected grants increased projected revenues by roughly $1.8 million, but those gains did not eliminate the forecasted expenditure gap.

On longer-term options, Hebden reviewed reserve levels and the Washington State Auditor’s Office recommendation of a 60-day operating reserve. Pasco’s current total fund balance figures presented to the board included approximately $22.3 million in total fund balance with a 5% reserve target at about $16.5 million; staff acknowledged the SAO’s 60-day recommendation would require a materially larger reserve to reach the SAO benchmark.

Board members discussed tradeoffs between increasing reserves and preserving instructional funding. Several directors said they did not favor immediately adopting a 60-day target but supported a gradual move toward stronger reserves. After discussion, Director Brown asked whether the district should prepare for a replacement levy when the current levy expires in December 2026; Hebden asked for direction. The board provided a nonbinding head-nod consensus (informal direction) that staff should proceed with levy planning and return with specific levy and bond projections for later decision-making.

Hebden and Superintendent Michelle Whitney said staff will return with further detail, including the specific spending restrictions under the budget freeze and a clearer list of the short-term reductions being considered. They also committed to provide comparisons of reserve ratios from other districts and to clarify the auditor’s 60-day benchmark and its basis.

No formal board vote was taken on the levy; the board’s direction was recorded as consensus to prepare materials and options for future formal action.

Ending: Staff said they will provide more frequent budget updates through August, produce a clear list of proposed spending restrictions for board review, and present levy and bond scenario analyses for a future board decision.","District finance staff reported a projected $4.8 million gap against board-authorized expenditure authority and outlined short-, medium- and long-term responses; the board gave staff a nonbinding consensus to prepare for a replacement levy and continue budget-management steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District reports post‑COVID stall in ninth‑grade on‑track rates; students recommend event safety and supports

Pasco School District awarded $2 million state grant to replace Pasco High D Hall HVAC

Board approves Feb. 25 minutes and consent agenda; roll-call recorded for consent items

Pasco board hears $4.8 million midyear gap, directs staff to prepare levy planning