[{"_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",6060444,"mediaKeyId","3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333","parentId",3290104,"title","Student council asks district to update financial literacy instruction after community workshop","audioSeconds",208,"startMs",2433000,"endMs",2641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333&start=2433&end=2641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333/thumbnail_2433000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060444/Washington/Student-council-asks-district-to-update-financial-literacy-instruction-after-community-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060444-b3ef9b1b227889ef0aae0cfd36117d91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100630&Signature=gI7EIN8kISWUtB4VysXblI4XyZ~kXvexfxuXIHJxo0j1gtNwp~SGeb6llwbh21YeNB9~7gW2dBOF16yZIepSvbW2nEHUENEF1oEIDO5DQdiMc3R2hozwozCZ9QHK6mPmmjd2B9nWrBLRMBTPxg3w54Z0oKRIh2Z0WkhUIG0mHs9~0xX4PvKBK9W5F8n1Hzcj~Z1PnXVsQTjc4m4be0GeDWpsASpkZn03-YRBxLgOzId7YmwLHwjhqr-3qGv5kJYwxhk34cO-73MSCOFmn7x76rXTMk6y3H~mRm0OWvPkXuTpO0grhUm6ubPOttu9Z2xhM2r7Vv1YmtfzwThnF5m9HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pasco School District, WA","date","2025-05-14T00:44:57Z","article","The Pasco School District Student Action Council told the board it hosted a financial wellness workshop with Women of Wisdom and asked the district to use student feedback to modernize the district’s financial literacy curriculum.

The request matters because financial literacy is now a required course in Washington and students told the council the existing curriculum feels outdated compared with practical money‑management skills they need after graduation.

Anna Gareda, one of the student board representatives, said the workshop helped students build realistic budgets and learn “an eight‑step plan to blasting off to financial freedom,” and added the presentation included worksheets students could take home.

Mason (student board representative) summarized the council’s next steps: gathering student feedback on the presentation and proposing curriculum changes to district staff. He told the board that students thought the district’s current financial class sometimes centered on outdated practices such as balancing a checkbook rather than modern topics like budgeting, credit and investing.

Board members supported further review. Superintendent Whitney said the two presenters were community partners who received a grant to offer the workshop, and board members asked staff to return with a report comparing current district curriculum to Washington state expectations and suggested improvements. One board member proposed a July presentation and district staff agreed to prepare a comparison of state requirements versus current high‑school course content.

Action and next steps: District staff will gather student feedback from the Student Action Council, compare current curriculum against state standards, and prepare a report and recommendation; the board placed a financial‑literacy curriculum review on future agenda items for July.

No formal action or vote occurred during the meeting; the item was informational and will be followed by staff analysis and a formal board report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 13, 2025 | Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Student Action Council reported on a Women of Wisdom financial workshop and urged the district to review and modernize financial literacy curriculum; board members asked staff to prepare a comparison to state standards and current classroom content.","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},6060450,"Pasco Digital Learning Academy wins multdistrict licenses; district readies statewide outreach",335,3825000,4160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333&start=3825&end=4160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333/thumbnail_3825000.jpg","/articles/6060450/Washington/Pasco-Digital-Learning-Academy-wins-multdistrict-licenses-district-readies-statewide-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060450-fd5544ae46a3a3bd9009fa0112beffc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100630&Signature=HxkSsRs6yzbfNNkI456AUAi3Sqmrp~iCWbPiAN6sgeWTri3Ls1pzcaMVBMtvdsHMd6X5HyGxf3sf0kzYUeMCj6iH2xTheamccU8mpPqXh5cDUoKenJo2qWptFwoNCHp0x32QXUavDii1sgA~j5YAOdso-Dz9tneQ8mK7sg1WZRB~rGj0t~GzRIUpolMQIAE48U8dxcezwH--eKK6xAtkcTLGEdMLSuhAiYACkeVeOiMvBsC3ShAAfqYvO2JzHbA9B4vI-fDGMj~PKbfGVBHnirgReOK3yl3-E~Z32MO-zxggFdyA9IiFtg3RW~aCjjgkDarmmjfqp8R2tV4Bv5T~DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco Digital Learning Academy staff told the School Board that two of the district’s online programs have earned multistrict licensing from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, enabling Pasco to accept out‑of‑district students statewide and potentially grow enrollment and related funding.

The change is significant because it allows the district to enroll students beyond its geographic boundaries and could increase full‑time equivalent (FTE) revenue; district leaders said they will market program features such as bilingual online classes, an 80/20 synchronous/asynchronous schedule and online music instruction.

An assistant superintendent who presented the overview described PDLA’s program portfolio: IPAL (an asynchronous K–12 alternative learning program), Pixel (grades 3–8 using an 80% synchronous / 20% asynchronous model), Virtual New Horizons (a high‑school version of the 80/20 model) and P3 (a 100% parent‑led K–8 option). She told the board PDLA programs have been offered about 12 years and consolidated under the Pasco Digital Learning Academy in 2022.

Both IPAL K–8 and Pixel 3–8 completed an OSPI application that required evidence on 52 criteria and submitted about 150 pages of supporting materials per application. IPAL K–8 received multdistrict approval in spring 2024 and Pixel earned approval in February 2025, the presenter said. The presenter added that Pixel appears to be the only online program in the state offering a bilingual online curriculum with the 80/20 model.

Early enrollment from other districts is small but present: the presenter reported five students from Kennewick, two from Richland, one from Grandview and two from West Richland currently enrolled in IPAL. Funding models differ by program: IPAL and P3 are alternative learning programs funded at about 80% of standard FTE; Pixel’s funding was described as a percent of FTE (district finance staff will confirm exact rates per interdistrict choice rules).

The presenter described staffing and service elements: K–12 IPAL staff include specialized teachers and facilitators; Pixel has bilingual elementary teachers, middle‑school teachers, paraprofessionals, resource room teachers and specialists for music, PE and robotics. The district reported continuing in‑year enrollment growth patterns for PDLA and plans to advertise the multdistrict licenses highlighting unique offerings.

Action and next steps: District staff said they will proceed with outreach and marketing to highlight Pixel’s bilingual online option and the 80/20 model, continue to track interdistrict enrollments, and refine fiscal modeling for FTE funding under choice transfers. No board action was required at the meeting.

Board members asked about transfer counts, FTE funding rates, and transferable student skills such as technology navigation; staff said students develop transferable digital skills and that the district would provide more detailed enrollment and revenue estimates as outreach grows.","Pasco’s digital learning programs IPAL (K‑8) and Pixel (grades 3–8) earned OSPI multi‑district licenses, allowing the district to accept students from across Washington; district officials said Pixel’s bilingual and 80/20 synchronous model could be uniquely attractive.",{"_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},6060455,"Pasco district leaders propose temporary reserve cut and staffing attrition to close $6.9M shortfall",159,4086000,4245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333&start=4086&end=4245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333/thumbnail_4086000.jpg","/articles/6060455/Washington/Pasco-district-leaders-propose-temporary-reserve-cut-and-staffing-attrition-to-close-69M-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060455-58619091ce0a1b5bbed573a708c43e18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100630&Signature=GzOlodUKjdFDpFyFJNZ8AwJpwKRUOEny5dAeltgP6MVQwWUI0WCz3iWxb2Dz5WdCAxBp5w-ZPGruOApzrjzxk6mH8z6J7YFWBfB-BtVo3NMrczgRWs57S0dMId34nxj1ANh~y2BwXkcq~tnNygI5P-n5bBJmB089AUr4O7KlTd9mW8jfuABIVObm1QSyeMZZ15HjwNmaWKE-7c8~we4D86iZgJVosxgjogfZeOTRtXYg4LAPY~2mloYRG1-SfQkH2A3ArXfcYEgkFXma1HY3QTHJ6oVXMmFUiw3TBdeJDGj2f8a38VRLeFo90LHN8CEze9wbBNghzcqE7wNgtFCQtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pasco School District officials told the Board of Directors they are projecting a roughly $6.9 million shortfall this school year and recommended a multiyear strategy that would temporarily lower the board‑mandated unrestricted fund balance and pursue staffing reductions largely through voluntary attrition.

The steps matter because the proposed approach aims to avoid immediate layoffs while aligning district staffing and spending with a slower enrollment trend and rising operating costs, but it would reduce the district’s financial cushion and could affect credit ratings and future borrowing costs.

Executive Director of Fiscal Services (presenting as Dr. Castilleja) said enrollment came in lower than expected and several cost lines—utilities, insurance and fuel—have risen. “When all is said and done, the long and short of it is, the projections at this point, it's looking at like we will be short about $6,900,000 on our budget when we're all done with the 20 four‑twenty 5 school year,” he said.

Castilleja outlined the district’s fund‑balance picture: a total fund balance of about $24.2 million, with a board‑directed unrestricted portion of roughly $16.5 million (5% of operating revenues) and about $7.8 million held as designated assignments for specific purposes. The staff proposal illustrated reducing the unrestricted reserve to 2.5% (about $8.2 million) temporarily while pursuing $4–5 million a year in staffing reductions through attrition.

Assistant Superintendent Sarah Thornton said staffing is roughly 86% of district expenditures and explained why the district favors a phased attrition approach over immediate layoffs. “Addressing staffing through voluntary attrition is less disruptive overall to the economic health of the community and the families that we serve,” she said, noting historical attrition patterns that have yielded certificated and classified departures in prior years.

District presenters noted additional fiscal factors: a potential infusion of one‑time state legislative funds (roughly $50 per pupil statewide) and uncertainty around federal grant funding that currently pays for about 164 staff positions. Staff also flagged that the district’s upcoming levy planning will affect 2025–26 revenue; slides presented projected levy growth from about $29.68 million in 2025 to $34.13 million in 2026 as a positive contributor to the next fiscal year.

What the board will be asked to decide: district staff said they will return to the board at the May 27 meeting seeking direction on which of two narrowly defined options to use to close out 2024–25: (1) reduce designated assignment balances, or (2) temporarily reduce the board‑mandated unrestricted fund balance from 5% to 2.5% (the staff recommendation). The district emphasized the recommendation is temporary and that staff would return annually to reassess.

Potential consequences: board members asked about credit rating implications (a lower reserve can affect future bond interest rates), and staff acknowledged that a permanent spend‑down of designated savings would take longer to rebuild than a temporary reduction in the unrestricted reserve. Staff also cautioned that if federal funding were sharply reduced, the attrition strategy would not be sufficient and more immediate personnel actions could be required.

Formal action: None. The board did not vote; staff will present a request for direction at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will return with a formal request for direction on May 27, provide more detailed scenarios for 2025–26 budget development and continue outreach about levy planning and community communication.","District finance leaders told the board a combination of lowering the district's unrestricted fund balance and $4–5 million per year in staffing reductions via attrition could close a projected $6.9 million budget shortfall; the board will be asked for direction on reducing the 5% reserve at a later meeting.",{"_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},6060460,"Pasco teachers, students left with unfinished ceramics after fire marshal halts kiln use",309,1487000,1796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333&start=1487&end=1796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290104-33ac1ece1475dde476a6704a930cb333/thumbnail_1487000.jpg","/articles/6060460/Washington/Pasco-teachers-students-left-with-unfinished-ceramics-after-fire-marshal-halts-kiln-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060460-ad5b6f5f60dfa7650e3e3179b28b2709/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100630&Signature=g31Kzhq5Ju2iUl9roc1r~uvkPnz5PGOl2z8KTmwEuviaZcTg23PHt8T8pC759bqoSV3rA0hvvLy33PZLMan37UoADLeP1LFlEawqK~yzG7UA2gtyA9BW1m5g0uwFXeZBt0xXA4UP-hab4-pZ7Qlwkv06YfwTvuGjbIDzDmsN8c3zFt268Rlgab6nMt5pzsWYOBgOMRbziUAHAkI9JLKXWGuw-V6BgoUqClBlfmUgYpwoxYpLCA~gML~E~COsTCVCZ9m6sgneR6ACxGvaNSjalCNZGsAMyaFhDtoie3yYpNoXV8Bp6lDYWsNnf5dimXejc9v0~FRQkrmHAcgA6RPt2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board President Amanda Brown heard multiple public comments Wednesday detailing the sudden closure of school kilns after a Pasco Fire Marshal review, leaving students’ ceramic projects uncompleted and teachers seeking a clear plan to bring equipment back into service.

The issue matters because ceramics instruction involves multi-week projects that students often keep as mementos; teachers and union leaders said the shutdown affects final grading, student morale and the practical completion of coursework.

Trevor Dunston, who identified himself as a Pasco parent, district teacher and vice president of the Pasco Association of Educators, told the board he was “saddened for a recent loss the district has taken to the arts department” and asked what the district’s plan is “to try to get those kilns back up to code in those buildings.”

Crystal Luttrell, identified in public comment as the ceramics teacher at Chiawana High School, told the board a district staff member and the Pasco Fire Marshal recently inspected her kiln room and instructed her to stop a firing that was in progress. Luttrell described large classes and multiple projects per student: “I run classes of roughly 30 students each. And each student on average makes, 4 projects in my class,” she said, and added that each project typically must be loaded and fired twice.

Luttrell delivered dozens of student letters to illustrate “tremendous frustration and sadness” and read one excerpt from a student named Aiden Monzo: “Pottery is such a great creative outlet for me. I can create these pieces that I can make with my own hands over a period of days, months… I’ve poured so much of my hard work into these pieces that won’t be finished because they closed the kilns.”

Kim Lerman, an art teacher who said she teaches at Tijuana High School, asked the board and district staff to pursue interim solutions while the safety issues are resolved, including using community kiln space and exploring alternative finishing methods. Lerman said the district’s May 5 notice offered “no solutions” and urged more collaborative problem-solving between teachers and district administrators.

Superintendent Whitney told speakers she is “engaging with the city” to get clarity about what changed since previous annual inspections and asked teachers to share their student letters. Whitney said district staff would seek “clarity from the city, like what they want from us to bring our kilns to spec,” and that staff was already connecting teachers with city contacts and exploring community kiln options.

Maria Lee, president of the Pasco Association of Educators, asked the board to remember that individual teachers are personally affected by reassignment conversations and reassured board members that union representatives have been meeting with teachers in affected buildings.

What happened: District staff and the Pasco Fire Marshal inspected kiln rooms and cited code issues that resulted in an immediate halt to kiln operation in multiple buildings. Teachers described projects mid-process that require firing to be completed; a typical advanced class load was described as about 20 projects per kiln cycle, with glazing and a second firing necessary to finish coursework.

What the district will do next: Superintendent Whitney said district staff are collecting the student letters and engaging the City of Pasco for specifics on the code violations and remediation steps. District staff also indicated they would pursue temporary community kiln access where possible to allow students to finish spring work.

Formal action: None. The board took no formal vote during the meeting on this item; district staff report they will continue coordination with the city and teachers and will return with clarification and proposed next steps.

Teachers and parents asked the board for rapid, concrete remedies before the end of the school year, including (1) clarity from the City of Pasco about specific code items that failed inspection, (2) an inventory of which kilns and schools are affected, and (3) short‑term external kiln access to finish student work. District staff requested the student letters and said they would follow up with the city and community partners.","Teachers and union representatives told the Pasco School District Board that city fire marshal findings have taken school kilns out of service, pausing student ceramic projects and prompting district staff to engage the City of Pasco for clarity and temporary solutions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student council asks district to update financial literacy instruction after community workshop

Pasco Digital Learning Academy wins multdistrict licenses; district readies statewide outreach

Pasco district leaders propose temporary reserve cut and staffing attrition to close $6.9M shortfall

Pasco teachers, students left with unfinished ceramics after fire marshal halts kiln use