Kennewick Development News
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Kennewick School District Unveils 2026-2027 Budget Amidst Enrollment Declines and Rising Costs
The school district presented the proposed 2026-2027 budget, highlighting projected enrollment declines and their impact on revenue, alongside increased expenses for special education and health insurance. The presentation detailed budget allocations across various funds, including general fund, capital projects, debt service, ASB, and transportation. Key financial challenges identified include a projected $3 million decrease in revenue due to lower enrollment and an $850,000 gap in Individual Professional Development (IPD) funding. The budget also accounts for a $2.1 million increase in EPO levy revenue. Staffing costs represent 86% of the total budget, with a projected decrease of over $12 million in staff-related costs due to a reduction in positions. Operational costs for facilities (MSOC) are expected to rise due to utility and insurance cost increases, despite a projected decrease in enrollment-driven per-pupil allocations. The district aims to mitigate a projected $13 million deficit by controlling expenses. The capital projects fund will receive significant revenue from reimbursements for the Tri-C project and levy funds. The self-insurance program, covering work comp and unemployment, is being closely monitored for expense mitigation. The district faces a significant funding gap, with state funding covering only about 50% of total costs, necessitating local funding through taxes and levies.
Kennewick School District Approves Action Plan to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
A public hearing was held regarding the proposed action plan for mitigation efforts to reduce lead in drinking water within the Kennewick School District. The plan was previously presented by Capital Projects Manager Ryan Jones on May 27, 2026. Following the hearing, a motion was made and approved to adjourn the hearing, with the board subsequently voting 5-0 to approve the proposed KSD action plan for lead mitigation efforts in drinking water.
Student Academic Performance Data Reveals Strengths in Literacy, Concerns in Math; District Focuses on Data-Driven Improvement Strategies
The school district presented data on student academic performance, focusing on early literacy growth and Smarter Balance scores in ELA and Math. While early literacy and ELA proficiency showed improvements in various grades, math proficiency remained stagnant or declined across cohorts. Concerns were raised about the decline in math scores, with discussions centering on potential curriculum issues and the importance of foundational math skills by third grade. The district also detailed its strategic approach to improving student outcomes through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), aligning instruction, and developing School Improvement Plans (SIPs) based on data analysis. Initiatives like the ECRI model for enhanced core reading instruction and a pilot program showed promising results in improving literacy skills. The district is developing a 'Greatest Area of Need' (GAN) document to guide goal setting and has implemented a goal-setting protocol for principals tied to student data. A discussion also touched upon the declining emphasis on teaching cursive writing, with recognition of its importance for signatures and potential legislative relevance. Kindergarten enrollment numbers were also provided, showing an increase since initial figures and remaining on pace with the previous year.
School Board Reviews and Advances Policies, Including Refreshing Aging Documents
The school board reviewed and advanced several policies during the meeting. Policies that were previously presented for a first reading were moved to a second reading. Additionally, policies that have not undergone changes in over 30 years or were frozen were put forth for both first and second readings simultaneously as a refresh. The board also discussed the simplification of policies through a spreadsheet, which provided numerical order and dates of presentation. All policies reviewed are slated for final board adoption in July. A request was made for a spreadsheet to be displayed, and clarification was sought regarding the distinction between moving policies from first to second reading versus handling policies with no changes.
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The Kennewick News archive
Kennewick School District School Board Meeting: June 24, 2026
City Council
Planning Commission Workshop
Kennewick School District School Board Meeting and Semi-Annual Retreat: June 10, 2026
City Council Workshop
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