[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6280892,"mediaKeyId","2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894","parentId",2609121,"title","Midyear budget update: enrollment edges up in K–5, special-education FTE declines; board approves consent items and moves May meetings","audioSeconds",1991,"startMs",833000,"endMs",2824000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894&start=833&end=2824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894/thumbnail_833000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280892/Washington/Midyear-budget-update-enrollment-edges-up-in-K5-special-education-FTE-declines-board-approves-consent-items-and-moves-May-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280892-18ddb67bea6f2bb5c7c7e3f8c2a86c85/orig.mp4?Expires=1770802608&Signature=c~HsbJST3znzxwuL0UoPiMf6wmKnlEiNiWF4JLDgMEUvBvAxro-SePbpI5H5M31710X3vU4Q0gKG2ZhRSQLrMrAUIvyg3UUybuPUTTdnhz2tdVCrEuH31SmozhUCmEQ9wwUeU9UhIQ7M7IXPRleq17p67gXYlV9mDdBqXqe3cv~VNxcYe7bgvi2uzYAaJMIKY8dSSHJ3Y5gwe02SkampxzOv33xSms7zujp4Eamuj1dGxIkDAD5wmg-apgpO~iSrfBk0Fakh4kUpYz-YuJXIcCQxQ5DEXLdPhOYdDGQnpxfThgxzDhLBDqPwU~JbzqyVVqVHc8JXUTSFismt1J70XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kennewick School District, WA","date","2025-02-28T21:48:27Z","article","Kennewick School District finance staff reported a midyear budget update showing mixed enrollment shifts and a smaller projected general-fund deficit as the board met in February.

Tom Brohart presented the budget snapshot and enrollment data. He said kindergarten and grades K–5 are higher than budgeted — kindergarten accounts for the district’s net increase of 48 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students — while grades 6–12 are down about 91 students relative to the budget. Brohart reported total K–12 FTE is up by 48 to date, and non-BEA (restricted) programs such as CTE and Running Start are up by roughly 138 FTE. He also noted special-education enrollment was lower than budgeted: district projection of about 2,700 students compared with a current count of roughly 2,640.

On revenue and expenditures, Brohart said the district realized roughly $2.6 million in additional revenues from higher LEA allotment, higher transportation funding and the enrollment increases, which, combined with staffing holds of about $2.0 million, narrowed the previously projected $5.5 million deficit to roughly $948,000 at the time of the report.

Brohart warned of rising MSOC (maintenance, supplies and operating costs) pressures — utilities, irrigation, power and insurance — noting insurance exposure could add roughly $1.2 million into next year’s costs depending on carrier rates and disaster exposures. He said certified and classified staffing work for the 2025–26 budget cycle is underway and that the district will finalize staffing in late February or early March, with an anticipated F195 submission to the Educational Service District by July 10.

Votes at a glance

- Consent items: The board voted to approve the consent items as written. Roll call recorded “yes” votes from Mr. Connors, Dr. Miller, Ms. Gledhill, Mr. Valentine and Mr. Galbraith. The motion was moved and seconded in the meeting record; no nay or abstentions were recorded.

- Calendar change: The board voted to move the May 28 meeting to May 21 and the May 14 meeting to May 7. Roll call recorded “yes” votes from Mr. Connors, Dr. Miller, Ms. Gledhill, Mr. Valentine and Mr. Galbraith.

Board members asked questions about kindergarten projections and whether shifts reflected birth rates, private-school movement or other factors; Brohart said kindergarten is difficult to project because no prior cohort data exists and that the district budgets conservatively. Members also discussed MSOC inflation and legislative work to address funding for rising operating costs.

Brohart closed by reminding the board of upcoming budget timeline steps: additional presentations through March–May and a scheduled June 18 hearing with final submissions in July.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting: February 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff reported the midyear budget update showing net FTE up by 48 driven by kindergarten, a decline in special-education FTE, and a narrowed projected deficit; the board approved consent items and voted to change May meeting dates.","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},6280896,"Kennewick School District approved as WEA apprenticeship residency partner; board praises Amazing Shake and student outcomes",104,1004000,1108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894&start=1004&end=1108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894/thumbnail_1004000.jpg","/articles/6280896/Washington/Kennewick-School-District-approved-as-WEA-apprenticeship-residency-partner-board-praises-Amazing-Shake-and-student-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280896-3abfcb4349701c4cda09a49625615e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1770802608&Signature=lhzubU3D3VEwDh0G-z6QG69kkZQ4I0n00ChGOw15sHVa65oo7Tk~AgIUd9sFftPNlklKSIuWuHnjewczhTlWXWF57Yx4n6gHhc3BRDIPCtPTMAAGB-uTO0bZpLJ4WUc58XVB4eyZOGIhXYNK1jO132fGesCMTfHf3zoZPbS7aag29mO6P~xmsEBZPpcy-xOMoqE~b7qdFTRbPm0eq-bZRFBNsW2dXaz82JIkQh7FV5szjBGuSb3tCYh~OsINvxxRAcW0MWQTTEbDdA3QQQI23XgeLaI4-vSXp9rMGIIn1iNu--GYZrshch6vKbxWU3JIGzos~1TRJBV64YGzb5Z33g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kennewick School District announced it has been approved as a partner site for the WEA apprenticeship residency program for the 2026–27 cohort, a district official told the board.

Superintendent Dr. Pierce said the district worked with the Kennewick Education Association and submitted a joint application; the Washington Education Association (WEA) will include the district in cohort 4. The program hires paraeducators into an 18‑month apprenticeship/residency while they complete coursework for a teaching certificate and endorsement in special education. After completing the residency and certification, participants commit to teaching with the district for at least three years. Dr. Pierce said the district expects statewide recruiting assistance from the WEA team and hopes to enroll “at least a couple of candidates” for the next cohort.

Rob Woodford, president of the Kennewick Education Association, was identified in meeting remarks as present; board members thanked the association for partnering on the application.

Board members also praised the Amazing Shake, a district program that helps students practice soft skills such as introductions, handshakes and professional conversations. Several board members said the program builds social-emotional learning and life skills; one board member described how TriTech transformed a student’s postsecondary plans and said the district should consider expanding the Amazing Shake.

Board members reported local outreach activities, school visits and participation in community events. One director said he is exploring formation of a Kennewick School Foundation — an independent nonprofit to raise funds for programs not covered in the district budget — and asked community members to contact him if interested.

The superintendent said the district will continue pursuing recruiting strategies to address special education staffing needs and that information sessions and recruitment for the apprenticeship residency are next steps.","Board announced district selection as a WEA apprenticeship residency partner for cohort 4, described next steps for recruitment and noted community programs such as the Amazing Shake and TriTech impact on students.",{"_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},6280901,"Kennewick School District honors 135 National Board Certified teachers and marks Career and Technical Education Month",709,90000,799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894&start=90&end=799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609121-0e5adab27a35c6ffe65896f6f102b894/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6280901/Washington/Kennewick-School-District-honors-135-National-Board-Certified-teachers-and-marks-Career-and-Technical-Education-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280901-0e38da1cafeb3a879de304a5de85bc44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770802608&Signature=UoWhytk2kbISMJm-kzfFaksdG0ShV2yJDSaiuzlFNYOG4cdQHR9L~23T7WIyp-1AKXle8xcm9f-0d4GeFngqBrU6ljCpl-O5Ho-JtUymih-lfxZgTikOdhWDCCFrh6nRmac-VfWGgZoudjezwu-bf0xg~hXRr0gkdeDYKgu70V1D4IwEJ0QKWD2QFZk2~oc0dR46OFYreHr5s6d1NFl3QY~Z6XvnChP9RJTM7g2ZxJtD8IL1bWeEe8ZRTXCPKe2z~VwBbOt8HRQ5XtVej9Mkyyba-a6E-mvpZZBC0INgNaSpUhS3ZGFhp1Q9Dqbk8Nzt-goinZQghpD4BnhGt~-fNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kennewick School District Board of Directors recognized 135 National Board Certified Teachers and highlighted district career and technical education programs during its February meeting.

The recognition noted three new National Board Certified Teachers who joined Kennewick School District this year: Jessica Bridal (focus: counseling), Amy Payson and Christy Young, who previously held certification before joining the district. The board received an updated poster listing all NBCTs in the district.

The board also marked Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, with staff emphasizing CTE’s role connecting hands-on, skills-based learning to postsecondary options. “CTE is really for all students,” a district presenter said, noting that CTE offers pathways for students entering the workforce, earning industry certifications, or taking dual-credit courses that count toward college. Kennewick’s CTE offerings include programs at all high schools, middle-school options and programs at the Tri Tech skill center.

Kennewick High School programs received special recognition: the Air Force JROTC unit earned an overall “Exceeds Standards” rating in a recent external assessment, which the regional reviewer described as the highest score he has given. The praise specifically named Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Witchers and Chief Master Sergeant Luke Thompson for their leadership of the cadet corps. Kennewick High School’s DECA chapter and its student enterprise also earned DECA’s school-based enterprise gold certification for the 2024–25 school year; the board credited DECA advisor Niddie Kalra in remarks.

The superintendent’s office read a presidential proclamation designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month. The proclamation text, read aloud to the board, framed CTE as central to workforce development and student opportunity.

Board members and staff thanked CTE and NBCT teachers for their work. Abby Mattson, director of career and college readiness, and assistant director Amy Francis were singled out for coordinating district CTE efforts and for preparing materials distributed to the board.

District materials distributed at the meeting listed the number of CTE program areas, course options, dual-credit opportunities and industry certifications available to Kennewick students. District presenters provided counts used in remarks: more than 80 course options (middle and high school), over 5,000 high-school course enrollments districtwide, and 50 industry-recognized certifications.

The recognition and CTE highlights closed with applause from the board and public attendees.","Board recognized 135 National Board Certified teachers, introduced three new NBCT staff, and marked Career and Technical Education Month with local program highlights and a read presidential proclamation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Midyear budget update: enrollment edges up in K–5, special-education FTE declines; board approves consent items and moves May meetings

Kennewick School District approved as WEA apprenticeship residency partner; board praises Amazing Shake and student outcomes

Kennewick School District honors 135 National Board Certified teachers and marks Career and Technical Education Month