Did you know that a committee consisting of 25 community members, parents and staff spent months prioritizing facility conditions and weighing future needs? They identified a short-term, 4-yr capital levy as the best approach to address the district’s near-term needs. Learn more about the committee and their recommendation here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025. They also provided insights around a long-term plan to ensure we are preparing for the future!
1 day ago, DPSD
Did you know that the Deer Park School District has a Strategic Plan? Community members, parents, teachers, paraeducators, and administrators representing all of the schools came together to create a long-term plan for Deer Park students and the District. The team reviewed and analyzed a variety of data and community feedback to develop the plan. The strategic planning process outlines the vision, mission, promise, and values, and establishes priorities for the next 5 years. The priorities include wellness & belonging, academic engagement, building bridges, making connections, and addressing facility needs. Read more about the District's Strategic Plan: https://5il.co/3mh40
2 days ago, DPSD
Did you know that the high school bond will be completely paid off this year? That means that the short-term capital levy will only cost 42 cents per thousand more than we are paying now. To learn more about the proposed short-term capital levy costs, click here: https://www.dpsd.org/page/levy2025costs
6 days ago, DPSD
Deer Park students and families are invited to join Deer Park's "Friday Night on Main" on Friday, August 8, from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Come by to say hi to Deer Park School District's table & play some pickleball, too!
7 days ago, DPSD
Students may schedule a sports physical or receive immunizations on Saturday, August 16th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, at the CHAS Health North County Clinic in Deer Park. Please call to make an appointment: 509-444-8200.
Please read the August Welcome Back to School newsletter from Dr. Allman, Superintendent: https://5il.co/3n489
9 days ago, DPSD
Staff and students enjoyed the Clayton Brickyard Days parade! It was a beautiful day to join our community! Many thanks to all who joined and cheered for the schools. We appreciate your support! Our Schools. Our Community. Our Future.
9 days ago, DPSD
Important DPSD 2025 Back-to-School Dates! August 27th is the first day of school for 1st - 12th graders
9 days ago, DPSD
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
9 days ago, DPSD
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.
A shoutout goes to the DPHS Bands, Cheer, and Color Guard at the Settler's Day Parade! Way to go!
16 days ago, DPSD
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!
16 days ago, DPSD
Wishing our Deer Park family, friends, and community a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend!
about 1 month ago, DPSD
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.
about 1 month ago, DPSD
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!
about 2 months ago, DPSD
Deer Park School District would like to recognize and congratulate Ms. Erica Guhlke-Whitmore! Ms. Guhlke-Whitmore was nominated by her District 5 Agricultural Education Colleagues and recognized for her outstanding service to Agricultural Education. She was selected as the Washington state winner! Her nomination was forwarded to the National Association of Agricultural Educators as Washington's representative in Region 1.
2025 NAAE Outstanding Service Award
The NAAE Outstanding Service Award recognizes experienced agricultural educators who have made significant contributions to agricultural education by supporting teachers and students on the local, state, region, and/or national level. These humble leaders have spent their careers energized by the responsibility of shaping the future one student at a time. Each applicant must have been a NAAE member the ten (10) previous years or continuously since the applicant began teaching. At the national level, NAAE members must at least be in their twentieth (20th) year of teaching agriculture at the time they apply to NAAE.
Way to go Ms. Guhlke-Whitmore! We are proud of you and your service to others!
about 2 months ago, DPSD
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!
about 2 months ago, DPSD
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.
