Othello board tables school calendar until full membership; staff explains $31,000 payment to Pasco for special‑education services

The Othello School District board voted to table approval of the upcoming school year calendar until a full board is present and approved several routine items by voice vote. During the approvals discussion a board member asked why the district paid Pasco School District $31,000; district staff said the payment was for regional special‑education partnerships that provide services Othello cannot staff in‑district.

A board member moved to table the calendar approval and another board member seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote with no recorded opposition. Later the board moved and seconded to approve the acquired approvals; trustees voted "aye" and the item passed by voice vote.

When a board member asked, "Just curious why we had to pay Pasco School District 31,000," district staff explained that Othello and other small districts partner with neighboring districts such as Pasco, Kennewick and Richland to provide specialized services when Othello lacks trained certificated special‑education staff. Staff said those partnerships are used when the district must meet legal obligations to provide required services to individual students and that payments reflect the cost of placing or contracting for those services.

The board did not provide additional budget detail at the meeting. The motion to table the calendar will keep the item on a future agenda when more trustees are present.

Ending: No further fiscal decisions were made on the Pasco payment at the meeting; the board approved other routine items and will return to the calendar when a full board is available.