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Communities In Schools expands in Wenatchee with site coordinators and Ballmer match funding
Summary
At the Wenatchee School District board meeting, Communities In Schools of North Central Washington outlined its integrated student-support model, current coverage at Westside High and Foothills Middle, plans to increase site coordinators from 25 to 35 students each, and funding support including Ballmer match funds and private grants.
Emilio, executive director of Communities In Schools of North Central Washington, told the Wenatchee School District board that CIS is embedding site coordinators in local schools to provide integrated student supports aimed at improving attendance, behavior and academic outcomes. "Bringing community resources inside public schools is where they are accessible, coordinated and accountable," Emilio said.
The presentation described a three-tier model: Tier 1 schoolwide activities (assemblies, family workshops and financial-literacy simulations), Tier 2 targeted programs (tutoring and focused group work for attendance or behavior concerns) and Tier 3 individualized supports where site coordinators work one-on-one. Emilio said each site coordinator will serve about 25–35 students; last year coordinators were limited to 25 and this year the target is 35.
Emilio credited a mix of private and philanthropic funding for the program’s expansion: he said national funding from Ballmer Group enabled cohorts of sites to grow and described Ballmer funding as providing 50/50 match support for positions. Emilio also said the network benefits from large private gifts to affiliates in Washington and referenced a recent $15,000 grant from New America that supported local sites. "We function with a lot of private funding," he said.
Board members asked whether the program could reach additional middle schools beyond Foothills; Emilio said the program currently serves Foothills and Westside but staff are pursuing additional contracts, title funding strategies and private fundraising to expand to more schools. The presentation also highlighted administrative arrangements: site coordinators are trained professionals who report to building principals, are supervised by a CIS program manager, and participate in a data-driven needs assessment and six-month monitoring cycle.
Corey and several trustees praised the local partnership, noting earlier ESD-funded student-assistance positions and how CIS stepped in after district funding gaps. Emilio gave examples of direct aid: paying short-term storage fees for a family at risk of losing belongings, coordinating housing referrals, and funding buses and drivers to enable students to attend multi-day campus visits.
The board requested follow-up materials and data; Emilio said he would provide the detailed grant and program figures to the district. The presentation closed with board thanks and plans to continue coordinating funding and expansion plans.
