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Superintendent updates board on state budget, federal commodity cuts, Pullman High pathway access and Aquatic Center proposal
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Bob Maxwell briefed the Pullman Public Schools board on March 26 about the state budget process, a federal cut to food commodity support, temporary access to a pathway on private land near Pullman High School and a proposal to transfer operation of the district aquatic center.
Superintendent Dr. Bob Maxwell briefed the Pullman Public Schools board on March 26 about several district issues including the status of the state legislative session and budgets, recent federal cuts to school food commodity support, a temporary access agreement for a pathway near Pullman High School, a district budget-input survey, and a proposal to transfer operation of the district aquatic center.
Maxwell said the state Legislature was negotiating budgets and that the session’s scheduled end date is April 27, 2025. "They're really down to budgets right now being passed between the House and the Senate," Maxwell said. He warned that some proposals can revive late in a session and that the district will track outcomes and provide updates.
On federal support, Maxwell told the board that a nationwide reduction in food commodity funding for school districts is under review. "There are a lot of unknowns, especially lately with the food commodities support for school districts — that a billion has been eliminated across the United States," he said, adding the district and the state superintendent’s office are still assessing local impacts.
Maxwell gave an update on a pedestrian pathway used by Pullman High School students. He said the path crosses private property and that the district does not own that land. Developers of the property agreed to provide temporary access off Robert Road through June 13, 2025 (the last scheduled day of school), Maxwell said, and district staff are in discussions with the developers about longer-term, permanent access options. "We are having some conversation about the possibility of a permanent access from across that piece of private property," he said. He said he scheduled another site walk with the developers to discuss a long-range solution.
Maxwell also reported the district sent a budget-input survey that closes the Friday after the meeting; results will be consolidated and shared publicly. On the aquatic center, he told the board the district received a proposal from Dr. Schweitzer to purchase and operate the facility and to allow continued district use. Maxwell described the proposal as "very generous" and said he would gather additional information and expert advice before returning to the board; he emphasized the proposal was not an action item at the meeting.
Board members indicated they were comfortable with Maxwell continuing to investigate the Aquatic Center proposal. No formal board action was taken on the proposal during the meeting.
Maxwell said he will include legislative and budget updates in his regular Friday updates to staff and the public as more information becomes available.
