School Board Meeting Summary
Resumen de la Junta Directiva
The Wenatchee School Board provides a "Board Meeting Summary Briefing" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting.
📁 Board packets including presentations and reports are available on our website.
📹 Meetings live streamed and archived on our YouTube Channel.
Regular Meeting I January 13, 2026
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was approved.
Bright Spots
Jr. Wenatchee City Council Student Representatives
The Wenatchee City Council recently established a Junior Wenatchee City Council. Representatives from both the City Council and the Junior Council members shared their insights into the selection process and how this opportunity promotes civic engagement. The Junior Council has proven to be an impactful platform, offering students more chances to provide youth input to organizations, such as the museum.
Citizens' Comments
There were no citizen comments.
Special Presentations
Budget Update
📄 26_27 Board Budget Update
Superintendent Kalahar presented a budget update, focusing on the operating budget, which covers staffing, programs, and day-to-day operations. Superintendent Kalahar first clarified that this is distinct from bonds, which are restricted to funding the construction and modernization of physical school buildings.
The district anticipates needing to make budget adjustments due to two factors.
Enrollment Decline: To balance the budget due to a continuous decline in enrollment, driven by lower birth rates in Wenatchee. This decline is not projected to stabilize until 2038.
Loss of Federal Grant Funds: The district is also making preparations for the possible loss of federal grant funds. This potential loss is linked to the dismantling of the Department of Education, which currently provides support for several programs, including migrant programs, English Language Learners, Teacher Professional Development, and After School Programs.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the district faces a total budget reduction of $5.4 million. This reduction comprises $2.9 million from the state's Basic Education Allocation (BEA) and $2.9 million in federal funding.
Reductions will be implemented through:
Restructuring District office administration
Restructuring building administration
Staffing modifications
Eliminating unfilled positions
Reviewing MSOC (Maintenance, Supplies, and Operating Costs) contracts
Despite the necessary reductions, the district is proactively seeking to grow enrollment by developing attractive programs that cater to the needs of students and families. Superintendent Kalahar also confirmed that there are no current plans for school closures in the 2026-2027 school year.
Discussion
Board Committee Nominations/Appointments
The board filled the following committee appointments as follows:|
Minimum Fund Balance
📄 Minimum Fund Balance
CFO Sean Fitzgerald provided an overview regarding the minimum fund balance, including the potential to increase the district's current minimum in anticipation of future financial challenges. This was followed by a comprehensive discussion during which the board posed several questions.
Action
Resolution No. 01-26 - Conveyance of Right-of-Way Red Apple Road
📄 ROW Transfer - Resolution
The resolution was approved as presented.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Kalahar reported on the following items:
- Marketing Campaign: To proactively promote programs and attract more students to WHS, the District is launching an Accelerated Pathways Marketing Campaign. This campaign, which includes digital marketing and a billboard on N. Wenatchee Ave., is designed to reach families both inside and outside the district.
- Roofing Issues: Heavy rainfall has led to roofing problems throughout the district, including at Wenatchee High School. Consequently, the District is performing a comprehensive roof audit to identify existing issues and plan for necessary future repairs.
- Bond Architect RFQs: The district received nine applications in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services related to the pre-bond planning for Wenatchee High School (WHS). The chosen architectural firm will play a crucial role in gathering comprehensive community engagement and input on desired design aspects for the new school prior to the start of the bond campaign. We will be moving five of these applicants forward to the interview stage.
- The district has two principal positions open: Mission View Principal Jeff Jaeger is retiring at the end of the year. Additionally, the WHS principal position will be posted as promised when interim principal Donna Moser was appointed. Ms. Moser has provided excellent leadership at WHS and plans to apply for the permanent position.
Board Communication
Adjournment