Kent School District commits to one-day ‘extended’ fifth-grade camp and launches fundraising after state cuts; parents press for overnight program

Superintendent Bella and teaching-and-learning staff presented the district’s Outdoor Education Overview for 2025–26 and explained the curricular and social-emotional rationale for fifth-grade outdoor education. Presenters and partners described the learning objectives and cited two-year participation data: about 25–28 schools and roughly 1,100–1,153 fifth graders (about 58–60% of fifth graders) participated in a three-day program in recent years.

Staff said the state had previously funded approximately $800,000 per year toward the program; that funding was not available for 25–26, leaving the district to budget $338,000 in the adopted appropriation for a one-day extended camp. District staff explained the $338,000 was included in the June 25 budget appropriation with the expectation that additional days would be pursued via donations, grants and credit-card rebate revenue. To pursue additional days and long-term sustainability, the district announced a partnership with the Kent Schools Foundation to centralize fundraising.

The presentation prompted extensive board and public questioning about costs and equitable access. Community members — including parents, camp partners and former camp leaders — urged the board to restore a multi-day overnight program, arguing overnight stays provide distinct social-emotional and mentoring benefits. Public commenters raised concerns about the decision-making process and transparency; one recorded public commenter noted the district previously stated a $338,000 appropriation for a 1‑day program and asked how fundraising would affect the district’s already-approved funds.

Vice President Cook moved to pause the presentation and take public comments immediately; after a requested roll-call vote the motion carried (Gregory: aye; Song: no; Clark: no; Cook: aye; President Margiel: yes), and several parents and community members spoke in favor of restoring a three-day experience. During the discussion board members reiterated competing fiscal constraints: the district faces a multi-million-dollar shortfall and forecasted multi-year deficits, and staff said federal and state funding timing remains uncertain.

Superintendent Bella said the district is committed to delivering an extended day experience that is equitable across schools, and said fundraising would support expanded days over time while the district maintains the $338,000 appropriation for the one-day extended program. Several members of the public and board asked for further transparency on how any funds raised would be applied; the district said funds raised by the Kent Schools Foundation will be earmarked for outdoor education and that updates will be provided to the board as fundraising develops.