Prosser School District staff warned the school board that a newly published state interactive map projects substantial federal-title funding reductions for the 2025-26 school year, a loss district staff estimated at about $349 per student.

The district’s budget officer, Kim (district staff member), told the board the interactive map shows the district losing approximately $843,000 if certain federal Title allocations (Titles I Part C, II, III and IV) do not materialize. “It’s about $349 a student that we're losing,” Kim said during the July meeting.

The board was told the projection is preliminary and that the total impact depends on which federal Title programs are affected; Kim warned that if additional Title allocations also do not come through, the district’s total loss could be “more like $1,400,000.” Kim said the map shows varying impacts across districts and urged public awareness and legislative action.

Why it matters: the district said the projected shortfall would affect staffing and classroom size. Kim said superintendent- and administrator-level discussions indicate class sizes statewide could rise “into the high thirties” in secondary classrooms if funds are not allocated. The board was reminded that state guidelines aim for lower class sizes (for example, a cited target of about 18 for third grade and under) but that funding does not always follow those targets.

Board members and staff discussed the timing of federal and state grant notices. The district typically receives preliminary figures in late spring and opens grants with an assumption of last year’s funding to obtain substantially approvable status, Kim said; final verified grant awards commonly are reflected in July. “We usually know, like, preliminary numbers in the spring… the grant always comes open… July 1,” Kim said.

The superintendent and administrative staff warned the board that reductions would force difficult decisions, including possible reductions to positions covered by collective bargaining agreements. Kim said reductions previously implemented under the district’s resolution for financial hardship preserved staff who already received notices, but funding shortfalls will require additional planning for potential workforce changes in the following year.

Staff also flagged operational impacts beyond staffing. Capital projects and facility needs (lighting, windows, softball/baseball field restroom and concession work) depend on available capital levy funds and potential grants; Kim told the board the district is continuing design work but noted that even if some grant opportunities appear, matching funds or district share might be required.

The district encouraged public engagement and explained that any changes would require legislative fixes at the state or federal level. Kim said she had published a notice in a local newspaper and the district’s communications channel to raise community awareness and described outreach to the superintendent network across the region.

Absent a final award letter or enacted legislative relief, the board did not take action at the meeting beyond requesting staff continue to model budget scenarios and report updates at future meetings.

Ending: Staff asked the community to monitor state and federal announcements and to contact legislators; the board scheduled further updates as the grant and budget picture becomes clearer.