Message from the Superintendent

Creating promising futures means giving students opportunities to learn, lead and grow. In this issue of Inside Schools, you will meet students who are stepping forward in powerful ways through the Superintendent’s Youth Advisory Council and other school leadership roles. By sharing their ideas, they help build a stronger learning experience for their fellow students and school communities. 
You will also read about some of the ways our schools and community partners work together to meet student needs, including welcoming and supporting military-connected families, providing meaningful learning opportunities and supplying food, clothing, shoes and gifts to families in need.

Our community’s continued levy support helps sustain programs to ensure students have strong academic foundations, safe learning environments and access to enriching experiences. 
Thank you for your partnership in supporting the young people who will shape our community’s future.

School Board Earns Board of Distinction Honors

For the second consecutive year, the CPSD Board of Directors has been named a 2025 Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). This recognition continues the school board’s commitment to student success as they have previously been recognized in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2024, and were named WSSDA’s Large District Board of the Year in 2019. 
The Board of Distinction program evaluates boards on their ability to clearly demonstrate how their leadership and decision-making contribute to improved student outcomes. Boards must demonstrate intentional monitoring, progress toward strategic goals and actions that close opportunity gaps. 

According to the WSSDA selection committee, the school board demonstrated excellent governance by aligning its strategic plan, policies and accountability systems with a strong commitment to equity, inclusion and student growth. The evidence of their impact was comprehensive and compelling, with clear gains in graduation rates, student growth percentiles, attendance and career readiness indicators, showing adaptability by refining accountability metrics and consistently monitoring disaggregated data. 

The Board of Directors has strengthened its approach to governance by monitoring multiple data points, adjusting policies and systems, and supporting efforts that prioritize academic growth, social emotional well-being and preparing students to graduate career, college and life ready.

2024 Replacement Levy Update

Promises Made, Promises Kept

In February 2024, the Clover Park community made a commitment that echoes daily through every classroom and hallway across the district. By approving the four-year replacement educational programs and operations levy, voters ensured that students would not just receive the minimum level of state-funded education but also a complete, 
enriching experience. 

Levy funding is strengthening student readiness and academics by helping to maintain smaller class sizes, providing targeted interventions for students and advanced learning opportunities. This ensures students who need extra help receive it, and the students who are ready for advanced coursework have a place 
to grow. 

Importantly, the district is also utilizing levy funding for counselors, nurses and school safety staff who are needed to maintain a healthy, safe and supportive environment for students to learn and achieve. 

The levy is enabling the district to maintain current technology, so students have access to the tools required for modern learning from kindergarten through graduation. This includes classroom devices, instructional tools, digital learning platforms and technology support.
Students also have access to athletics, activities and co-curricular programs like performing arts and music. 
Voters approved a levy rate of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and the district has only collected up to 
that amount. 

CPSD continues to use levy funding to maintain a comprehensive educational experience that aligns with local expectations, and every school day reflects the impact of our community’s investment. 
Working together, we are creating promising futures for our community’s children. 

2026-27 Budget Development Process

Each year, CPSD gathers community input and aligns the budget with student needs, stakeholder priorities and long-term goals to ensure stability and strong 
educational outcomes. 

CPSD will hold community budget forums across the district this winter and spring to share information and gather input. Additionally, an online survey will be launched to engage families, staff, students and community members on identifying important budget priorities. This input will inform the district’s budget development process and overall 2026-27 budget recommendation for school 
board consideration. 

We invite our community to participate with us in the 2026-27 budget development process. Call the business services department at 253-583-5010 with questions or if you need accessibility accommodations or interpretation for any upcoming budget meetings. 

Facility Assessments Underway

They serve as a foundation for CPSD’s long-range plan.

CPSD regularly conducts facility condition assessments on a five-to-six-year cycle to better understand the current state of its schools and plan responsibly for the future. These assessments serve as the foundation for long-range facilities planning and help ensure students and staff learn and work in safe, reliable environments. 

“Our facility assessment is the foundation of our long-range facility planning,” said Rick Ring, executive director of operations & capital projects. “It establishes an overview of the condition of the facility, including the structure, roofs, electrical systems and mechanical systems, along with safety and security.” 

The assessments examine both near-term needs and longer-term system lifespans. According to Ring, they identify deferred maintenance issues that need attention in the next few years, as well as predictive renewals that look ahead decades. This data-driven approach allows the district to prioritize work and avoid unexpected disruptions. 

Eight CPSD schools are between 55 and 81 years old, and some systems are reaching the end of their useful life. Ring shared that older buildings could experience failures that require immediate attention. In one case, a domestic water line failed and required emergency repairs to keep a school open. 

Delaying major work also carries risks beyond cost. “If a major component fails, you may have to shut down a school,” Ring said. “That has a direct impact on students.” 
Facility assessments also consider how well buildings support today’s educational programs and accessibility needs. Some older facilities were not designed to meet current standards, which limits how spaces can be used. 

“At some point, you have to recognize that you have gotten the full life cycle out of certain systems,” Ring said. “That is when it makes sense to start planning for solutions that better meet the needs of students today.” 

Using facility assessment data, the district takes several next steps. This includes updating long-range facility plans, prioritizing projects over five-, 10- and 20-year horizons, conducting feasibility studies for modernization or replacement, and aligning facility decisions with enrollment trends, educational programs and safety standards.

Facility assessment findings will be shared with the CPSD Board of Directors this year through capital planning updates and workshops and are used to guide project prioritization and long-term planning. This intentional, data-driven approach helps protect instructional time and supports responsible decisions for students, staff and the broader community.

“Facility assessments help us understand whether our schools can support today’s educational programs and provide students with the environments they need to learn.”
Executive Director of Operations & Capital Projects
Rick Ring