PASD Staff & Family Newsletter

As we enter 2025, the Port Angeles School District has identified key legislative priorities to ensure equitable, high-quality education for all students. These priorities reflect our commitment to addressing funding challenges and advocating for legislative changes that will positively impact our schools.

1. Fully Fund Special Education

School districts are both legally and morally obligated to serve students with disabilities. Unfortunately, the gap between expenditures and funding continues to place an undue burden on local levies to cover costs. PASD supports legislation closing this gap, so districts are no longer reliant on local levies.

2. Address Regionalization, Salary Enhancements, and Fully Fund Employee Benefits

Equitable compensation for educators and staff is essential for attracting and retaining quality professionals. PASD urges the Legislature to revamp the flawed methodology for regionalization and experience factors, update staffing ratios, fairly fund salaries and benefits for staff, and reduce out-of-pocket costs for SEBB participation or eliminate the mandate.

3. Continue the Permanent Return of Timber Tax at the State and Federal Level

Timber revenues have historically supplemented basic education funding for districts like ours. PASD supports legislation that permanently restores these funds to school districts, bolstering basic education allocations and ensuring stability in funding.

4. Fully Fund Transition to Kindergarten Programs

Early learning is foundational to student success. Transition to Kindergarten (TK) programs address developmental gaps, foster social-emotional growth, and build critical skills for our youngest learners. PASD advocates for full funding of TK programs, allowing districts to provide the necessary resources and staffing to meet the diverse needs of these students.

5. Revisit the Property Tax Structure

The current property tax structure disproportionately benefits districts in communities with higher property values, leaving property-poor districts, like ours, at a disadvantage. PASD supports legislation to address this inequity and ensure adequate funding for all students, regardless of community property values.

These priorities reflect our commitment to addressing funding challenges and advocating for meaningful change. Thank you for your continued support as we strive to secure the resources necessary to serve our students and staff effectively.

Sincerely,

Martin Brewer

Dry Creek Elementary students recently participated in a meaningful project, crafting beautiful necklaces for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s 2025 Tribal Canoe Journeys. This project gave students an opportunity to express their creativity while honoring an important cultural tradition in our community.

The necklaces were graciously accepted on behalf of the Tribe by Carmen Watson-Charles, PASD Native American Liason. Projects like these highlight the power of learning, sharing, and working together to strengthen community connections.

Last month, students in Port Angeles High School’s Marine class took their learning beyond the classroom by visiting the Coho Ferry during its two-hour layover between trips to Victoria. This visit was part of the Core+ program, which provides hands-on pathways to graduation, internships, and careers. Earlier in the year, the Coho’s captain visited the class to share insights about operating and working on the vessel. The recent field trip gave students an exciting opportunity to see these roles in action and deepen their partnership with the ferry crew!