School District enhances interpreter services for diverse language needs

Parents in the Mukilteo School District will soon have improved access to interpreter services, a decision made during the June 24, 2025, Regular School Board meeting. This initiative aims to support families, particularly those who speak languages other than English, in navigating school communications and accessing necessary resources.

The district has recognized a significant need for interpreter assistance, especially as the community welcomes a growing number of Ukrainian and Afghan refugees. School officials discussed plans to enhance interpretation services, including expanding the range of languages offered and increasing the number of responses collected from parent surveys. This data will help the district better understand and address the specific needs of its diverse families.

Currently, the district employs a small pool of multilingual staff who assist with interpretation on a voluntary basis. However, the need for trained interpreters remains high, particularly for less common languages. School officials acknowledged the challenges in effectively communicating with families who speak one of the 116 languages represented in the district, noting that while they can meet the needs of the most common languages, gaps still exist.

To address these challenges, the district is exploring partnerships and resources to improve language access. This includes potentially arranging for interpreters in advance for languages that are not widely spoken. The goal is to ensure that all families can engage fully with the school system, fostering a more inclusive educational environment.

As the Mukilteo School District moves forward with these initiatives, the focus remains on enhancing communication and support for all families, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder access to education and resources. The district's commitment to addressing these needs reflects a proactive approach to inclusivity and community engagement.