• Thank you voters! Both of PSD's levy measures have passed.

• Remodeling is ongoing at Kopachuck and Key Peninsula middle schools, and behind the scenes work is happening to provide new doors at Discovery Elementary.

• Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open.

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Dear Peninsula School District Staff and Families,

Spring is almost here! How lucky are we to be a part of the changing seasons, and a part of this school community? Some of my favorite parts of spring are watching kids walk and bike to school in sunnier weather, seeing the flowers bloom, and of course spring sports! 

Recently, I attended the Washington Association of School Administrators and Washington State School Directors Association Legislative Conference in Olympia with our board members and PSD Student Representatives Josie B. and Avery D. It’s always a great privilege to hear directly from our students about their priorities and what changes they want to see from their leaders. Together we are working to support all children across Washington state.  

Our district is so grateful to our community and voters for once again supporting our local levies. Both levy measures were overwhelmingly approved, with more than 63% of the vote. While the levies allow us to continue funding essential programs and staff, our enrollment is still about 500 students less than the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Based on our projected enrollment, we will receive less federal, state and local funding for 2023-2024.  Our estimated budget deficit is $12 million, and if the levies had not passed, our potential budget shortfall would be far more significant.

In addition, recent state legislative changes have impacted education funding. School districts statewide are facing enrollment declines and budget deficits and need to make adjustments. Our goal is to have any necessary reductions as far away from the classroom as possible, while also prioritizing levy-promised staffing and programming. To align with our strategic plan goal of fiscal responsibility, we will evaluate the disparity between state, prototypically funded staffing and our current staffing levels to determine if we have effectively aligned people and financial resources to best serve our students.

PSD leadership is working collaboratively with union representatives to align resources and staffing to reflect our enrollment. We will share more information by the end of March as we work through the process with all our partners.

Work continues at Key Peninsula and Kopachuck Middle School, and students have begun to enjoy a new band room at KMS, and KPMS staff have a new, sunny front office to work in. 

Our Capital Projects Team is gearing up to begin installing new doors on the classrooms at Discovery Elementary School. Contractors were invited to bid on the project in February, and a project proposal will likely be presented to our board of directors this month. We estimate the project will begin this summer, so students can start the 2023-2024 school year with doors on all classrooms.

Starting March 1, registration is open for the 2023-2024 school year. We want to invite soon-to-be kindergarten students to enroll early so families don’t miss out on important information and summer events. Visit www.psd401.net/registration to enroll.

Spring sports have begun! I cannot wait to see our young athletes in action, and what successes we’ll see this season. Be on the lookout for soccer, lacrosse, track and field, fastpitch, baseball, tennis, golf, and water polo. Congratulations to our winter sport athletes for their many accomplishments this past season. 

I hope March brings us sunshine, warmer days and time spent together. I can’t wait to see what blooms this month.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Krestin Bahr

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