Othello School District briefed on federal education orders, state guidance and funding risks

Superintendent Pete Perez told the Othello School District Board of Directors that recent presidential executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education "Dear Colleague" letter have created confusion about what steps local school districts must take and what powers the federal government can exercise.

Perez said many of the federal actions are executive orders that direct agencies to set policy but do not, by themselves, change federal law. He summarized video comments and a written letter from the state superintendent (Reykdal) telling districts to "hold your horses" and follow state guidance while agencies interpret federal direction. "We get calls saying, 'Are we doing that tomorrow?'" Perez said. "It's not how it works."

Nut graf: The presentation sought to clarify what Othello can and will do amid national direction on topics including diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration enforcement and potential funding threats — and to explain which decisions are controlled at the federal, state or local level.

Perez said the state of Washington aims to protect students' civil rights under state law, including access to basic education regardless of documentation status. He described a legal framework for handling requests from immigration enforcement, saying officers would need appropriate court orders and districts would have an opportunity to identify individuals sought, notify parents and seek legal counsel before releasing information. "Our state laws and our federal laws allow for us to protect kids while we follow the federal framework," Perez said.

Board members asked whether threatened federal funding cuts could play out immediately. Perez and staff pointed to two points: (1) the state receives about 7 percent of its education funding from federal sources statewide, and (2) Othello School District receives a larger share. District staff reported roughly $13,000,860 in federal funding overall, including about $4,800,000 in ESSER funds, and estimated the district's federal share at roughly 10–12 percent. Perez said Title I, school meal programs and services for students with disabilities make up most federal dollars and that those protections would be a priority. "We will go to bat to protect those," Perez said.

Board discussion emphasized measured communications with the public and the importance of decorum. Board Vice President Chris Paginski encouraged members to be "sense makers" and to avoid escalating public interactions: "When our phones ring, when we get emails, when we hear from staff, when we hear from families, that we stay informed and ... align those arrows in our community," he said. Director Ken Johnson said the board's primary obligation is protecting students regardless of political pressure: "At the end of the day, we're here for the kids, and that's who we're gonna fight for."

Staff and the board also urged patience with the timeline federal orders often include; Perez said many directives give agencies 90 to 120 days to set implementation details. The district plans to rely on OSPI (Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) guidance and to keep families informed as the state clarifies legal requirements.

Public comment tied the federal discussion to recent local controversies. Robert Pineda, a district teacher, thanked board members for visible, hands-on support of students and said some community members' social-media attacks on board members had been hurtful; Pineda urged civility and thanked the board for their volunteer service. Several board members responded by stressing professional conduct during public comment and the importance of role-modeling for students.

Ending: The board did not adopt new policy at the meeting; members said staff will monitor legal developments, maintain communication with OSPI and return with recommendations if formal policy changes are required.