Important DPSD 2025 Back-to-School Dates!
August 27th is the first day of school for 1st - 12th graders
August 27th is the first day of school for 1st - 12th graders
What projects will the short-term capital levy address? Great question. It will replace the 30-yr old roof and gym HVAC units on Arcadia, address district-wide safety and communications, replace the 90-yr old transportation facility, and
purchase and develop needed land. To learn more about the four priority projects, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
Many thanks to our community for supporting the educational programs and operations (EPO) levy! DPSD can provide basic school supplies to all K-8 students for the 2025-26 school year.
First day of school (1st -12th grade) is August 27th!
Did you know that the Deer Park School District and the City of Deer Park continue to partner to meet the needs of our community? We have a vested interest in ensuring we maintain our community feel, values, and that we are meeting the needs of all of our community, collaboratively and together. We would like your input and feedback! https://form.jotform.com/252055493218154
Planning for our future is essential to improving our quality of life. The City of Deer Park is currently investing in a Splashpad, Skate Park, and Pickleball Courts. The City is updating its Parks and Recreation Plan to make additional recreation improvements. Citizen input will be the foundation of this plan. "What do you want Deer Park's parks, recreation facilities to look like in 10 years?" Please answer the following questions to guide our future recreation investment. By completing the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a $100 certificate. You may only enter one survey. Redundant surveys will result in disqualification and survey removal. The winner will be notified by email in September. You must provide a valid email address to be eligible. For more information about this project or survey, please contact Larry Fetter at 541-561-7617.
Deer Park Survey https://form.jotform.com/252055493218154
Deer Park staff and students enjoyed the Settler's Day parade together! Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Deer Park Schools with us, including the band, cheerleaders, color guard, and the football team!
Wishing our Deer Park family, friends, and community a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend!
Congratulations to our Transportation Department for two (2) years of outstanding school bus inspection results. Many thanks to our mechanics for their great work! We appreciate you! From OSPI & Washington State Patrol: On behalf of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington State Patrol, we want to congratulate you, your administration, and your transportation team whose diligent and tireless efforts protect the safety of Washington’s students on our school buses. The recent Washington State Patrol annual school bus inspection illustrates your school district’s exceptional results. For the past two years, your district has met the strict inspection criteria to receive this Letter of Achievement. Your diligent efforts in providing students with safe transportation to and from school, as well as to extracurricular activities, are truly commendable.
Did you know that educators demonstrate commitment to their professional practice that supports student learning outside of the school year? Dedicated educators attended professional learning to enhance their professional practice at Whitworth University. Way to go, educators!
On Monday, June 23, 2025, the School Board reviewed the community's feedback based on the Facilities Advisory Committee's recommendations (https://www.dpsd.org/o/dpsd/page/facilities-advisory-committee). The Facilities Advisory Committee recommended that the Board consider 4 projects: Arcadia Roof Replacement, HVAC Repairs, Flooring and Site Safety (Estimated Cost $1.8M), Districtwide Safety, Security, and Communication Improvements (Estimated Cost $300K), Land Purchase and Road Development for Current and Future Needs (Estimated Cost $5M), and Replace and Relocate the 90-yr-old Transportation Center (Estimated Cost $7.5M). After reviewing the feedback from the community, the Board passed a resolution to place a short-term, four-year capital levy for $14.6M on the November 2025 ballot to address the four projects. (https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025. )
See the survey results and more information here: https://5il.co/3kdpv
More information coming soon!
Who Oversees Financial Accountability for School Districts?
1. Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
OSPI sets the rules for school finances.
Regular financial reports from all districts.
Public data on district budgets, expenditures, and funding sources.
2. Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO)
Conducts regular audits of every school district.
Audits look at:
How money is spent.
Whether laws and rules are followed.
Whether financial records are accurate.
Audit results are public and posted online.
You are welcome!
Facilities Advisory Committee
Tuesday, June 25
6:00 pm
School District Administration Office
https://www.dpsd.org/o/dpsd/page/facilities-advisory-committee
DPHS served 116 students from 2nd grade to 12th grade for the annual volleyball camp. The students had a great time, and many thanks to the volleyball coaching staff!
Did you know? Per RCW 28A.150.260, in Washington State, funding per student does not directly follow each individual student to the specific school they attend because the state's K–12 funding system is based on a district-level allocation model, not a per-school or per-student voucher system.
Here is more information:
In Washington State, schools are primarily funded through a combination of state taxes, local property taxes, and federal funds. Here's a high-level breakdown:
State Funding: The state government allocates money for education from taxes collected statewide. This funding is distributed to school districts based on various factors, including student enrollment and specific educational needs.
Local Funding: Local school districts also receive money from property taxes paid by homeowners and businesses within the district boundaries. These funds are used to supplement state allocations and can vary based on local property values and tax rates.
Federal Funding: Schools receive additional support from the federal government through programs like Title I (which supports schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families), special education grants, and other federal initiatives aimed at enhancing educational opportunities.
Other Sources: Some schools may also receive funding through grants, donations, and specific local levies approved by voters to fund particular programs or facility improvements.
To learn about DPSD's budget: https://5il.co/2vdf5
To view DPSD's financial documents and records (all public), visit: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/.../school-apportionment/safs-report
Learn about WA state school funding: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding and https://www.waschoolfunding.org/
Overall, the funding landscape ensures that resources are allocated to support educational programs, facilities, and services necessary for student learning and development across the state.
Summer is upon us! The last day of school is June 11th with early release as follows: Elementary + Arcadia - 10:30 a.m., Middle School - 10:25 a.m., and High School 10:10 a.m..
Offices open again on August 13th, with the first day back for students on August 27th. Kindergarten students start on September 2nd, and Home Link starts on September 8th. We hope you have a fantastic summer break, and we are all looking forward to a great 2025-26 school year!
Did you know that public school systems are held to high accountability measures to ensure transparency, responsibility, and that public funds are spent wisely? Districts are held accountable through annual public audits (State Auditor's Office), School Board oversight, state reporting requirements (OSPI), public access and transparency, and performance measures (OSPI).
To learn about DPSD's budget: https://5il.co/2vdf5
To view DPSD's financial documents and records (all public), visit: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/school-apportionment/safs-report
Learn about WA state school funding: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding and https://www.waschoolfunding.org/
We want to hear from you! Before moving forward with the recommended capital levy, the School Board wants to hear from its families, staff, and community regarding the committee’s priority projects. The district has created a survey that allows stakeholders to provide input. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts to help the School Board ensure that the committee’s recommendation aligns with our community’s priorities. Please take a moment to fill out our survey below. Please complete by June 20th. Survey here: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/168300841/welcome
For more information, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025
Facilities Advisory Committee: https://www.dpsd.org/o/dpsd/page/facilities-advisory-committee
The state’s school funding formula doesn't provide resources for large capital costs. While resources are provided through limited funds for general care and upkeep, districts must rely on capital levies and bonds to address larger renovations and new construction needs.
Congratulations to our 2025 Retirees!
We had the honor, a few weeks ago, to celebrate and recognize the staff members who are retiring this year. As part of our tradition, each retiree who has served our district for over five years is presented with a golden apple - a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and the deep appreciation we hold for their commitment.
We are truly grateful to all those who have dedicated themselves to the education, safety, and care of our students. Your hard work has left a lasting impact, and we thank each of you for your passion, commitment, and service.
Thank you, Lauren Inman, Kevin Kernan, Scott Carlson, Adeline Tooley, Dawn Geyer, Kathy Sanborn, Lisa Carnes, Kim Ruyrok, Esther Collin, Joyce Henning, and Renee Attridge!
We wish you all the very best as you embark on new and exciting adventures in the next chapter of your lives.
As we honor and remember those who have served, please remember there will be no school on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Congratulations to our 5th Graders in the Math is Cool Masters!
While they didn’t make it to the podium, the team delivered an outstanding performance, earning a perfect score on the Team Multiple Choice Test and going undefeated in all their College Bowl matches. The competition was tough, but our students showed incredible determination, teamwork, and academic excellence. We’re so proud of their effort and spirit. Great job, team!
