Students and parents press board over Pasco High facilities, AC and boundary decisions they say deepen inequities

Students, parents and community members urged the Pasco School Board to address long‑standing facilities and zoning concerns at Pasco High School. Student speaker Cardi Duvall told trustees that Pasco High’s student population will grow more concentrated with low‑income students after recent boundary changes and that the building’s physical condition needs attention, including air conditioning repairs she said should not wait until January. "Waiting until January to repair the air conditioning at Pasco High when it has been an issue for years is not supporting the learning environment of every student in your district," Duvall said.

What callers described: Speakers said Pasco High was built in 1953 (noted historically by one commenter) and that newer high schools opened this year have more modern facilities. A parent and student described teachers moving classes or using fans because of broken or incomplete air conditioning and expressed concern that zoning and boundary decisions left Pasco High with a higher percentage of low‑income students than other schools.

District response and context: Superintendent Michelle Whitney and other board members acknowledged the buildings' condition was a priority and said some repairs and upgrades are planned. Whitney noted the district had undertaken major construction to open two new high schools and that long‑term facilities planning is ongoing. Trustees and staff said they will continue work on the long‑term facilities management plan and that questions about boundary assignment and equitable facility investment could be addressed as part of that process.

Next steps: Commenters urged the board to conduct a comprehensive assessment of hallways and learning spaces at Pasco High and to accelerate repairs such as air conditioning. The board signaled it will continue to prioritize the long‑term facilities management plan and consider public input in upcoming study sessions.

Sources: Public comments by Cardi Duvall and Bear Turner; superintendent remarks during agenda-setting and communications.