Celebrating PSD Superstars • Celebrando a las Superestrellas del PSD
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR SUPERINTENDENT
Dear Pasco Community,
As we look back on the past year, we are reminded of the incredible students, staff, and community members who make Pasco School District shine. This year’s theme, “Celebrating PSD Superstars,” is a tribute to the dedication, resilience, and achievements of the people who make our schools extraordinary.
One of the biggest highlights of the year has been the continued progress of construction at Sageview and Orion High Schools, both of which are on schedule and on budget as they prepare to open in Fall 2025. We are grateful to the superstar staff who have worked tirelessly in the planning process and to the students and community members who have provided valuable input in shaping the future of our high schools.
We also have much to celebrate in academic innovation and community partnerships. This year, we expanded our Dual Language Program to all 17 elementary schools, making it the largest program of its kind in Washington state. We also strengthened our PEAK! Partner Program, welcoming even more local businesses and organizations to support our students. Additionally, we launched ParentSquare, a new districtwide communication tool that has enhanced our ability to connect with families, staff, and the community.
Like school districts across Washington and the nation, we have faced budget challenges. Inflation is outpacing revenue, and state funding for public education has not kept up with rising costs. Pasco School District
has been impacted by reductions in Levy Equalization Dollars, declining enrollment trends, and state funding limitations that create financial strain.
Despite these challenges, we remain committed to protecting jobs and programs that directly support our students. In the long term, we are planning for a replacement levy in February 2026 to ensure we can continue providing high-quality educational experiences while balancing the financial impact on taxpayers.
Through all of this, our PSD Superstars—our students, families, staff, and community—continue to rise to the occasion. Your support, collaboration, and dedication to Pasco students makes all the difference.
Thank you for being part of our journey and for believing in the potential of every child in our district. Together, we will continue to celebrate, support, and inspire the next generation of PSD Superstars.
With gratitude,
Michelle Whitney Superintendent
It is Pasco School District’s responsibility to provide a foundational educational experience to all Pasco students that is designed to provide core, acceleration, and enrichment. We are committed to five outrageous outcomes that when combined define a trajectory of success for our students. They are built on a foundational belief that all students are capable of success, no exceptions. The Outrageous Outcomes are the foundation of our District Strategic Improvement Plan.
Mastery by 3rd Grade
100% of all 3rd graders will read on grade level in their language of instruction.
Success in Algebra
100% of students will pass Algebra by the end of 9th grade.
On Track for Graduation
100% of 9th graders will end the school year on track for graduation.
Graduate with a Career Path
100% of students will graduate with a career path.
Meaningful Connections
100% of students will experience meaningful connections and hope for their future.
ALL STUDENTS ARE CAPABLE OF SUCCESS: NO EXCEPTIONS.
To learn more about our OUTRAGEOUS OUTCOMES and the steps we are taking to achieve them, please visit:
www.psd1.org/strategicplan
ABOUT PSD
17 Elementary Schools 4 Middle Schools 4 Virtual Learning Opportunities
• Angelou
• Captain Gray STEM
• Chess
• Columbia River
• Curie STEM
• Emerson
• Franklin STEM
• Frost
• Livingston
• Longfellow
• Markham
• McClintock STEM
• McGee
• Robinson
• Three Rivers
• Twain
• Whittier
• McLoughlin • Ochoa
• Reynolds
• Stevens
4 High Schools
• Chiawana
• Delta
• New Horizons
• Pasco High
18,999 Students
2,419 Employees
• iPAL
• Pasco Parent Partnership
• PIXeL
• Virtual New Horizons High School
1 Early Learning Center
DISTRICT REPORT CARD
68.5% Students Attend 90% or More of School Days
2023-24 School Year
78.6% Graduated in 4 Years 2023-24 School Year
Assessment
Scan the QR Code above to view where WA scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
32.2%
Met English Language Arts (ELA) Standards
21.7% Met Math Standards
30.7% Met Science Standard
$16,977
Per-pupil Expenditure
2023-24 School Year
1,218 Number of Classroom Teachers 2023-24 School Year
12.0 Average Years of Teaching Experience
2023-24 School Year
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
Revenues: $309,965,183
STATE
The state of Washington is Pasco’s largest funding source at over 81 cents of every dollar. The amount paid by the state is dependent on enrollment. Funding from the state does not fully cover educational costs.
FEDERAL
Federal money accounts for a little under ten cents of every dollar received and helps provide vital services in specific areas.
LOCAL TAXES
Local taxes are referred to as “levies” because they are levied on a calendar-year basis and collected from local taxpayers. Levies are critical to district funding. Every levy must be approved by local voters and is collected over a set number of years.
OTHER
All other funding sources combined make up the remainder of the budget. This includes interest, donations, and fees that are used for very specific needs.
The largest portion of annual operating funding comes from the state, followed by federal.
Revenues: $298,612,199 Expenditures: $313,136,067
Nearly 3/4 of District spending goes directly to the classroom and supports student learning.
TEACHING & TEACHING SUPPORT
Last year, a little under 73 cents of every dollar spent was used for teaching and teaching support such as counselors, librarians and classroom assistants.
SCHOOL & CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Administration, which includes principals and central office staff, account for ten cents of every dollar.
CUSTODIAL, MAINTENANCE, & GROUNDS
Almost a nickel per dollar was spent on school maintenance, custodians and grounds crews.
Buses and drivers to safely transport students cost the District a little over three cents per dollar last year.
BOND 2023 UPDATE
Sageview High School
Home of the Lobos
What?
A new comprehensive high school (like Chiawana and Pasco High Schools).
• Serves 2,000 students with a size of 299,413 square feet.
• Offering Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programming with a signature CTE Agriculture program.
Where?
Located at 6091 Burns Rd.
When?
• Construction began summer 2023
• Opening Fall 2025
Why?
Sageview High School will help alleviate the overcrowding at our other high schools. Chiawana High School is the largest high school in Washington, and Pasco High School is the sixth largest. Both are overcapacity.
How much: $185,363,750
Local Bond: $139,922,928 State Match: $45,440,822
Orion High School
Home of the Aviators
What?
A small innovative high school developed with the input of business and industry leaders, families, and students.
• Serves 600 students with a size of 65,000 square feet.
• Like Delta High School, but will only serve Pasco students.
• The innovative program will allow every student to graduate with a credential or industry certification and hands-on experience to help students move into a career or educational path beyond high school.
• Signature programs in Health Sciences, Engineering, and Advanced Manufacturing will be among the offerings at Orion High School.
Where?
Located at 1901 E Salt Lake St.
When?
• Construction began spring 2024
• Opening Fall 2025
Why?
Orion High School will help alleviate the overcrowding at our other high schools. If we only added a comprehensive high school, we would need to begin adding portable classrooms within one year.
How much: $37,984,375
Local Bond: $37,984,375 State Match: $0
Athletic Field & Facility Improvements
What?
Athletic field and facility improvements including adding a softball field at Pasco High School.
Where?
Pasco High School
When?
• Construction starts Spring 2026
• Estimated completion Fall 2026
Why?
The Pasco High School girl softball players do not have a field at their high school. They currently travel to the HAPO Center to practice and play games.
How much: $2,000,000
Local Bond: $2,000,000
State Match: $0
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Enhancements and Modernizations
What?
Enhance and modernize CTE spaces at Chiawana and Pasco High Schools.
Where?
Chiawana and Pasco High Schools
When?
• Construction starts Spring 2026
• Improvements to CHS STEM and Agriculture Science Labs
• Improvements to PHS Trade Programs and CTE Food and Nutrition programs
• Estimated completion Fall 2027
Why?
CTE improvements in our existing high schools will help ensure that our programs mirror industry equipment and facilities so that students are prepared to work in these high demand career areas. Together with Sageview High School, each large comprehensive high school will offer signature CTE programs for all students.
How much: $12,000,000
Local Bond: $11,092,000
State Match: $908,000
Partners in Educating All Kids!, or PEAK!, is a program established in 2008 to involve and formally recognize community organizations and businesses as partners of Pasco School District. As a PEAK! partner, your organization can participate in school events and spread the word about services your organization provides. These opportunities also allow business volunteers to be part of a dynamic and evolving environment—the school classroom.
Partners can:
• Adopt a school and participate in school events
• Talk to students about career paths
• Recognize students each month
• Donate coats, school supplies, bikes, and more
• Target individual school’s needs
• Share about your business in an educational format
• Create new ways of school involvement
Benefits:
• Recognition at major district-hosted events
• Placement of your business logo in at least one school-level and district-level newsletter or publication
• Placement of your business logo on the district website
• Acknowledgement and introduction at school and district events
• Meet and greet planning luncheons
• Opportunity to display information at two district events
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Pasco School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained guide dog or service animal. Pasco School District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be addressed to the following designated employees: Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Officer-Sarah Thornton; 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 99301, 509-543-6700, sthornton@psd1.org; and Sec. 504 Coordinator-Kristi Docken, 1215 W. Lewis St., Pasco, WA 99301, 509-543-6700, kdocken@psd1.org. Pasco School District is committed to providing access to all individuals, with or without
disabilities, seeking information on our website. The District, in evaluating and planning for accessibility, will adhere to the standards of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA and the Web Accessibility Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAIARIA) 1.0 for web-based content. If, because of a disability, you are unable to access content on Pasco School District’s website, you have questions about the accessibility of content or technology used by the District, and/or would like to report barriers to accessing any technology used by the District, including this website, please email mtapia@psd1.org. For information about the formal complaint procedure, please contact the District’s Compliance Coordinator, Sarah Thornton, at sthornton@psd1.org.