HSD News Round-Up

Join us in recognizing Classified Employee Week (also known as Education Support Professionals Week) beginning Monday, March 9! The HSD's 103 classified employees are vital to school operations and student success. From secretaries to general duty aides to paraeducators and custodians, these team members make a difference in our schools. In true Hockinson tradition, we will be shining a spotlight on one amazing employee every day next week, so tune in to our Facebook page daily to learn more about the important work they do for our students and schools. You can even give them a shout out for their contributions to our school communities! Here is a sneak peek at three of the incredible staff members we will be celebrating:

Share your perceptions of Hockinson schools! Survey results from the annual Parent & Community Perception Survey help to inform our School Improvement Plans and guide our district's approach to continuous improvement. Take the survey!

The HSD's Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is administering this year's survey and reviewing its results. This survey will take 5 minutes, and includes some optional questions for those who wish to provide more feedback. The CAC intends to send out another brief survey later this spring to follow up on questions in the "Issues Facing HSD Schools" section.

A new Skilled Trades Center at Hockinson High School is in the works for a fall 2026 opening. The facility will house Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses where Hockinson High School students can develop high-demand job skills connected to framing, construction, plumbing, and electrical work.

Thanks to generous donations from local benefactors and volunteers, the project will move forward without drawing from the district’s limited budget! Read more here.

On February 27, fifteen Hockinson High School juniors and seniors who have expressed interest in medical careers had an unforgettable opportunity: To observe a heart valve replacement surgery performed by Dr. Gary Ott at Providence Portland Medical Center. The visit also included a Q&A with Dr. Ott. Read more here.

State lawmakers in Olympia are currently working to finalize the state budget. The draft proposal includes reductions to Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Local Effort Assistance (LEA), and school bus depreciation funding that our school district relies on.

While all of these program cuts will impact school districts, reducing funding for TK is particularly concerning to the HSD. In a letter to Hockinson Heights Elementary School families this week, Superintendent Steve Marshall shared concerns about legislative cuts to Transitional Kindergarten programs in the draft state budget. If implemented, the proposed reductions would pull back a educational opportunity from young learners in rural districts where local pre-kindergarten options are limited. You can read the letter here.