[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6200844,"mediaKeyId","3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5","parentId",3805610,"title","Finance report shows improving balances but board warned special‑education funding change will shift costs","audioSeconds",523,"startMs",7508000,"endMs",8031000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5&start=7508&end=8031","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5/thumbnail_7508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200844/Washington/Finance-report-shows-improving-balances-but-board-warned-specialeducation-funding-change-will-shift-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200844-61c16d38bc352c9e8a2b3c4dfc849e71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924134&Signature=E56DT94qrDN~4hVylBb7~bOd9gE1tToM5UMuJL4ocvr067q9ZkNJdJmqaW7IEyHccDm5wqboRZ6S0390mY18122XUcvpEpxlab7CSKeAS3iNaWwmkJcEbo~k9KmRRPvOMufvjji4kE407~6yqsFpi9QUeRLqernGEvY9DWQoRJ-mdPpNauvEfGWdBIqeFAZH0M7he0tb1pWyX9kgA~ZnKuMHqOvRqMS0pS1fUliHyb-iu7VlGVdEuKPaBWyvqd~1cvr7RdDAZVyo~y3n8dgHtVb4d3B9zT1UV1p7G6toUQCvG8U4tvdaoXfv0IcS2aSEwBAQ6O65Qzi90UEsJd-gng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Angeles School District","date","2025-06-13T14:39:04Z","article","Karen (finance staff) presented the district’s June financial report to the Port Angeles School District Board of Directors on June 12, saying the general fund balance is declining from the recent peak but remains better than the same time last year.

“General fund ending fund balance is coming down a little bit,” Karen said, but “we’re higher than we were last year at the same very time.” She flagged capital‑project revenues as healthy and said expenditures will rise as Stevens construction advances.

The presentation moved to a policy and funding shift with practical implications: the state removed a cap on special‑education claiming, enabling districts to claim more state and federal special‑education funds, but OSPI guidance and recent legislation forbid using EP&O levy proceeds to backfill special‑education costs going forward.

Karen summarized the consequence: the district will claim state and federal special‑education apportionment for eligible students but those allocations “are still gonna fall short of the actual cost of providing education and services for each student.” She said that previously the district had used EP&O funds to make up the gap. Under the new rules, the remaining gap would be funded from basic education apportionment (BEA) or other local choices.

Board members who had heard public reports that the legislature “fully funded special education” said they did not understand the limitation until the meeting. One director said she had “many people who are so excited that we're going to have full funding with special ed” and asked where the prohibition was documented; staff said the restriction is in the enacted legislation and in OSPI guidance.

Other financial items presented: an MSOC (materials, supplies and operating costs) increase of $81.26 per FTE that the finance staff said yields roughly $262,000 in new funding; potential federal grant reductions if Title II/IV become block grants; and a medium‑confidence risk that USDA changes could reduce nutrition reimbursements, which would affect the district’s current Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) food service model.

Karen also reported enrollment and staffing metrics: the district’s annual average FTE was reported at 3,283.65 and headcount at 3,382; Seaview Academy, CTE and running start figures were included in the packet. She said final, precise federal‑fund share of the budget will be provided in follow‑up materials.

What the board directed: no immediate policy changes were made, but members asked for clearer public messaging about what the legislature did and did not fund, and asked staff to provide written citations (OSPI guidance and relevant enacted legislation) for the claimed prohibition on using EP&O funds for special‑education backfill.

Ending: staff will return with follow‑up documents and more detailed budget figures; board members signaled concern about potential service impacts if the district must shift costs into BEA or local budgets.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 6/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","District finance staff reported a stronger fund balance than the prior year, but said state changes to special‑education claiming rules mean the district can no longer backfill special‑education costs with EP&O levy dollars. The board was told the change will shift remaining costs onto basic education funding and local budgeting decisions.","taxTitle","Port Angeles School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",73088,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200849,"Board appoints community members and staff to high school and Franklin PACACs",0,8059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5&start=8059&end=8059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5/thumbnail_8059000.jpg","/articles/6200849/Washington/Board-appoints-community-members-and-staff-to-high-school-and-Franklin-PACACs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200849-0f291441331d0acb19a24bd1e4d62b0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924134&Signature=FGyAbU9zobA2~Dzj2Eiy8Hf8X7jcE-6KL8X3IWEikLhK~iEfLs8ZtcRCpXk-hXS7Kgmenfy1j82mG~EWHONxnBGYSRqrpi6TZbKLxEWqebfc0HY-wmz36-~cQaOuK6dEY2YNfo7-zeKwgRVWRZmLOE5Qb1IFFGZzGAkTnQ752lWbADHfdUQHZqWk-WQ~0HDdo9tmTyLew4iwnZ577FbG9VBFEFjIoaKdq~c0OIih3vgKkQZhrSgu~GoQ474~FxgQkGaOEOBaJhUOKJHHlBtjn5Cvo88A-BetRp8MSAmyfUCVgOho9WmZS8pYbT0WBRbekZ9bgM4PEYJf0eWSxk2P1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Angeles School District Board of Directors on June 12 approved project advisory committees (PACACs) for the new high school and the Franklin site and appointed community members and staff to each committee.

Superintendent Marty Brewer presented the recommended membership lists and said the committees will advise architects and staff during the design phase and return recommendations to the board. He emphasized the committees will not make final decisions: “The board makes a final decision,” he said.

High school PACAC: the board approved a slate that includes Superintendent Michelle Olsen, director of capital projects Nolan Deuce, the district’s principal and certificated and classified representatives and four community appointees. The four community members named by composite score were Steve Mehtner, Sean Worthington, Kyle Zimmerman and Jeffrey Bowman. Board members Stan Williams and Mary (surname not specified in the record) volunteered to serve as the two board representatives on that committee.

Franklin PACAC: the board approved a Franklin PACAC with Michelle Olsen, Nolan Deuce, principals and staff representatives, a tribal appointee to be named by the tribal council, and four community members: Steve Holly, Marissa Koehler, Erica Purvis and Amy Young. Directors Kirsten Williams and Sandy Long agreed to serve as the two board members on the Franklin PACAC.

The board voted to accept both committee lists. A motion to approve the high school PACAC passed with a voice vote; the Franklin PACAC was approved similarly.

Why it matters: PACACs are expected to meet monthly during the design phase and to act as community liaisons for project decisions, helping the district balance design goals with budget realities. Brewer estimated the high school design and construction cycle will span multiple years and said the committees will be asked to remain engaged through design and into construction milestones.

Ending: The district will notify appointees, schedule the PACACs and proceed with design work; the board did not change the approved membership lists at the meeting.

","The board approved membership for two project advisory committees for the new high school and Franklin (elementary) site, naming community appointees and district staff and selecting two board members to serve on each PACAC.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200854,"Board discusses renaming Stevens site as new middle school nears construction",734,3052000,3786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5&start=3052&end=3786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5/thumbnail_3052000.jpg","/articles/6200854/Washington/Board-discusses-renaming-Stevens-site-as-new-middle-school-nears-construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200854-dd38ad2810f29b88a1eb79d9840df348/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924134&Signature=C3Kg2lMOwFQKc6DZsXW1J~-xPzkR5W6Gl6~HFvdQYQ7cG16quDENMk3H~mU~ar-Quqfk6Qmglbk3uV-gzu8FhYdkoL9U3TivmJ9RNDAyYIIyEGWLz6qjqIINXKe2tMJtiEy9GMSpN2g4WU8Ys4jAB1oKrhy0~Z7Kp8eDYZSvASqZvoqd8C4UsB28wswtQa8jIJPLcEH9Tcu4ca7GqWE2B9zgb-5KsTBttZ3zblXtkweX10X7gUUWd3R-6sfUV3kyukAfCZhstbHiOYlfMkUc0wYMdBLkp6q0DCSilfb02EOiPLx9Tgmp7Fx2Rjo0Bgxw6ozDb43j9SrDuN2A1VAmEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Marty Brewer told the Port Angeles School District Board of Directors on June 12 that the committee formed to consider a name change for the Stevens site had narrowed a long list to four options and that this was a discussion item, not an action item.

Brewer said he asked the Port Angeles Capital Advisory Committee (PACAC) to review name options because that committee has worked on the Stevens project’s design for several years. “There’s no decision to be made this evening. This is a consideration,” he said.

Why it matters: the district is replacing the existing Stevens building and found building a new facility would save taxpayers about $4 million to $5 million compared with renovating the 1950s structure, Brewer said. The timing of a new facility prompted the naming conversation: “This gives you the opportunity to consider a name change for a new building that will be on the same site as Stevens,” he said.

Brewer outlined four committee recommendations: Hurricane Ridge Middle School, Riverstone Middle School, Elwha River Middle School and the straightforward Port Angeles Middle School. He said the committee discussed cultural and geographic connections for each option, and noted tribal consultation would be necessary if the board pursued the Elwha River name because of the river’s cultural significance.

On Hurricane Ridge, Brewer said the committee found it “a landmark that’s deeply associated to our region,” visible from the community and “culturally relevant to the Clallam people.” For Elwha River, Brewer advised direct tribal partnership: “If we were to go this route, my recommendation to the board would be to work through the tribe, and I believe you would have to have tribal approval to name it.”

Public comment included Steve Holly, who said he favored Hurricane Ridge and suggested a local Olympic marmot as a mascot if the board chose that name.

Board response and next steps: Brewer recommended the board continue community engagement and return to the topic at the July meeting for further discussion, with a possible decision in August so the name can be finalized in time for the project’s design and bid documents. He reminded the board that the superintendent’s role under policy 6970 is to convene a committee and make a recommendation; the board retains final authority.

No formal action to rename the facility was taken at the June 12 meeting.

","The Port Angeles School District board heard a recommendation to consider renaming the Stevens site after the new middle school design and cost analysis showed building new saved $4–5 million versus renovating. The board asked staff to continue public engagement and return with discussion in July.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200859,"District tech director details E‑Rate purchases, Chromebook repairs and growing security workload",636,1877000,2513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5&start=1877&end=2513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3805610-c86cbdaaf5cb7d3c65f3a7640a04b1c5/thumbnail_1877000.jpg","/articles/6200859/Washington/District-tech-director-details-ERate-purchases-Chromebook-repairs-and-growing-security-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200859-f9f9b4285538922e0d2af7c4760e71cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924134&Signature=TX8jcaKOIMvfNFPk7lTGOxcJpb1ZNDFvKAVpSRK45vRFpO2WCVuOi-Dp0TSpMSZQHuGchKWWbCXj6ziwGVvWbxHw1ASMXR0DxAsN7l7D7EZj13xcirECdRfdzBiMx4dNnaIj-IUCparpQq60Y~Yf8Pl~-cjzQ2QO1g8byvbkAcoRAx-uL5iv13eHzducrB5t0JVpGBNHMgqiDGAb7295Ww975pBF2opQES2zCXNY94d0~dTlhhde5045o1ZZb7ik964FTQaaAhjzmx0NMgt3UfkRMgffYUCUYiL8yvhp7FjtmrdLMxKV-spe3PPuPMg4iWvSc5qLkHMVBylIwO5RSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jared Blosser, the district’s director of educational technology, told the Port Angeles School District Board of Directors on June 12 that recent federally subsidized purchases and continuing security work are reshaping the department’s priorities.

Blosser said the district bought a new firewall last year “about a $46,000 purchase,” and that the E‑Rate administrator paid roughly $12,000 toward it. He said the district also secured switches and wireless gear for the new middle school — “about a $125,000 worth of equipment, and the USAC paid for $96,000 of that.”

The purchases follow a broader technology refresh, Blosser said: “Last September or last summer, we put in 700 new Chromebooks and 18 new view boards.” He added that the department plans a Windows 11 upgrade over the summer because “Windows 10 is gonna end the life in October.”

Why it matters: the E‑Rate reimbursements reduce local capital costs for infrastructure, but Blosser said the program’s rules also restrict how that money is used. He called security “the most important security device we have” when describing the new firewall, and said protecting accounts, devices and backups is taking an increasing share of the department’s time.

School board members asked whether limiting take‑home devices could reduce risk. A board member asked, “Is that anything we’ve ever looked into?” Blosser replied that Chromebooks give some protection because “the operating system is different. It’s easier to reload. It wipes everything out. Everything’s saved in the cloud.” He said elementary classrooms typically keep devices on carts, middle schools sometimes send devices home, and high school students still check them out.

Blosser also provided a repair and asset snapshot. He estimated the district maintains roughly 4,000 Chromebooks and that “out of 4,000 Chromebooks, we’re repairing physical damage of 4 to 500 a year,” with broken screens and missing keys the most common issues. He said reusing compatible parts from older devices saves about $70 per repair.

Blosser flagged other operational pressures: a growing number of public records requests that now target email and could include video; an expanding security‑camera system that requires more server or cloud capacity; and limits on multi‑factor authentication because the district lacks a standard second‑factor device for staff.

“We have incredible backups,” Blosser said of the district’s recovery posture, noting redundant off‑site copies and detached devices that would allow relatively quick restoration of data. But he cautioned those backups “don’t protect us from operations,” and that account security and device management remain concerns.

Blosser said the district has started staff trainings and limited pilots for artificial intelligence tools but is “hesitant because I’m worried about doing it in a safe manner so the kids are not exposed to something we don’t anticipate.” He noted age and consent restrictions in many commercial AI services.

What’s next: Blosser requested board awareness of the staffing limits in technology and said some roles (desktop and systems support) are likely to need replacement within a year. He suggested the board consider capacity increases or different procurement for camera and records systems if demands continue to grow.

Ending: The presentation closed with board members thanking Blosser and noting the department’s workload. No formal budget or staffing decision was made at the meeting.

","At the June 12 Port Angeles School District board meeting, Director of Educational Technology Jared Blosser described recent E‑Rate purchases, Chromebook repairs and rising records‑request and security demands that could require more staff or new systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance report shows improving balances but board warned special‑education funding change will shift costs

Board appoints community members and staff to high school and Franklin PACACs

Board discusses renaming Stevens site as new middle school nears construction

District tech director details E‑Rate purchases, Chromebook repairs and growing security workload