The Yakima School District board approved an increase to the district’s contract with American Sign Language (ASL) Professionals on May 20.

Lede: The board approved increasing the existing contract with American Sign Language Professionals by $285,000, bringing the 2024–25 contract total to $585,000 to cover additional services to support students with special needs.

Nut graf: Deputy Superintendent Stacy Locke requested the increase and said the additional funds would cover ASL support to meet student needs; the board approved the contract increase by voice vote.

Details
- Contract change: Increase of $285,000 to the current ASL Professionals contract (from $300,000 to $585,000) for the 2024–25 school year.
- Purpose: To provide additional ASL services required to support students with special needs; the presenter described the increase as necessary to cover additional supports.
- Board action: Motion, second and voice approval recorded; no roll‑call tally included in the public transcript.

Ending: The board approved the contract increase and moved to other business items; the contract will be implemented by special education and student services staff.