Pasco School District Board of Directors members spent a study session Wednesday addressing an unexpected loss of federal funds — described by members as about $4,000,000 — and the immediate and planning-stage steps the district will take in response.

Board members and staff said the withheld funds include allocations tied to English-language learners and migrant students, and that the district has canceled non-mandated, above-and-beyond professional development that would have required dipping into reserves. Director comments emphasized that some spending is contractually fixed for the coming year because existing teacher contracts have already been offered and accepted.

The board framed near-term actions as a combination of spending reductions, continued service to priority student groups and enhanced public communication. Board members discussed several communications steps: adding clear slides in budget presentations to show how cuts affect students and achievement gaps; using regular newsletters and the district calendar to explain board roles and fiscal decisions; and preparing messaging tied to levy planning so voters understand the potential consequences if additional local funding is not approved.

Board members also discussed timing and constraints on reversing commitments. One member said, “we can't adjust since we've offered the teachers, at this point, contracts, we can't go back on those contracts,” and urged early planning for next year’s budget and levy. Another said the withheld funds were “a surprise to the entire nation,” adding that many districts are scrambling to respond.

Board discussion described concrete changes already taken or under consideration: canceling optional out‑of‑district professional development, prioritizing cuts that remain “as far away from students” as possible, and preparing budget presentations that explicitly tie cuts to impacts on migrant and English‑language learners. Members suggested the board should present those tradeoffs to the public as part of ongoing transparency efforts.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the study session on these items; board members instead agreed on several board goals and next steps to direct staff and shape public communications.

The board indicated the funding loss will affect next year’s budget planning and levy discussions and that work must begin early to prepare voters and consider reinvestment priorities. A staff member running the budget work was identified as a point of contact for implementing presentation changes and for follow-up with the board.