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Pasco School District promotes PEAK partnerships as a way for businesses to support schools
Summary
District staff and local business partners outlined the PEAK (Partners in Educating All Kids) program, saying it connects 60 partners across 27 schools and three district programs and requests annual partner contributions of $500 (elementary), $600 (middle) and $700 (high) directed to the partnered school.
Ana Munguia, who oversees the Pasco School District's PEAK program, described the business-to-school partnership program and how it channels partner contributions directly to individual schools.
"The PEAK program has been connecting local businesses and schools since 2008," Munguia said, adding that the program now has "60 PEAK partners across 27 schools and 3 district programs." She said businesses enter a contract with the Pasco School District and make annual contributions — $500 at the elementary level, $600 at the middle school level and $700 at the high school level — for each school-year partnership.
The district directs those funds to the partnered school, where the principal decides how to use them. "The money goes directly to the school that they are partnered with," Munguia said, and principals typically apply the funds to school stores, student activities or specific initiatives to offset costs.
School leaders and business owners at the presentation gave examples of how the program operates locally. Jennifer Melendres, principal at Ross and Franklin STEM Elementary, said partner volunteers have supported field-day activities and other events. "ProTaxes is out there volunteering, and that's been just a great support," Melendres said.
Business partners described a range of contributions. "The reason why I wanted to become a PEAK partner is because I wanted to be more involved in the community," said Yolanda, owner of ProTaxes. Sandra Kerr, owner of Kona Ice of Tri Cities, said her business donates items and shares proceeds with schools: "We just donated 20 of our $5 classic cards to get a free Kona. We've helped out with the soccer tournaments, football games. We help give back to the boosters." Carrie Britton, an assistant principal at McLaughlin, listed several partners at her school, including ProTaxes, Coordinated Care, SWAG, Coffee and Kona Ice.
Speakers said the partnerships give students opportunities to meet local businesspeople and learn through real-world interactions. "Students have really benefited from interacting with these businesses and community partners because they are able to share their experiences and their stories," Britton said. Munguia argued that business investment helps build a stronger workforce and a stronger community over time.
The presentation closed with a call to action: "Become a PEAK partner today by visiting psd1.org/peak," Munguia said. The program website provides enrollment information and the contract details for businesses interested in partnering for a school year.
