Board reviews dual-language expansion at Eastgate and placement rules for kindergarten lottery

Kennewick School District staff briefed the board on the district—s dual-language program, its history, and current expansion and kinder-placement plans at Eastgate Elementary and Fuerza (a dual-language magnet).

Alyssa, a district staff member leading dual-language work, told the board the district—s dual-language program began in the 2005–06 school year with small kindergarten classes and has grown to more than 1,300 K–8 students. Program models include two-way classrooms (mixed native English and native Spanish speakers) and one-way classrooms (primarily Spanish-home students). Instructional models vary: a single bilingual teacher may deliver both languages in the same classroom (a 1-teacher model) or two teachers (English and Spanish) may split the day (a 2-teacher model). The district follows a 50/50 instructional allocation for Spanish and English instructional minutes (excluding recess and specials).

Alyssa reviewed Eastgate—s multi-year expansion. Planning began in early 2020 and Eastgate moved toward a two-way model in 2021; Eastgate currently has available capacity while Fuerza is full. Staff said Fuerza operates as a magnet with transportation and that some students travel over an hour to reach Fuerza. To reduce crowding and long bus routes, staff proposed adding about 12 kindergarten lottery spots at Eastgate for families residing east of Highway 395 (with west-of-395 families continuing to be invited to Fuerza), increasing Eastgate—s kindergarten capacity in the spring placement process.

Staff described the placement process: Fuerza maintains separate English- and Spanish-side lottery lists, places siblings first, preserves a small buffer for sibling additions in August and contacts families from wait lists if openings arise. Eastgate is a neighborhood school; boundary residents are eligible for its dual program and the district maintains shuttle/transfer arrangements with Washington School for families who choose alternative placements. Staff also noted exceptions (for example, midyear arrivals who need bilingual services are often placed at Fuerza) and said they plan a gradual approach to transportation adjustments so families and routes are not disrupted abruptly.

Board members asked detailed operational questions about class sizes, staffing models, how students are exited from bilingual services (WIDA proficiency criteria), and whether the district has considered dual-language programs in languages other than Spanish. Staff said staffing availability (bilingual teachers) limits expansion beyond Spanish at present, though the district tracks other language groups.

Staff requested the board be informed before lottery communications go out so directors are prepared to answer questions; the board and staff agreed to proceed with the kinder-placement plan and further planning around transportation and sibling-placement transitions. No formal vote was taken at the retreat.