The Wenatchee School District Board of Directors will meet on August 11, 2026, for a regular board meeting focused on the upcoming school year, district finances, instructional programs, governance matters, personnel, and ongoing facility projects. A major focus of the meeting is the board budget hearing for the 2026-27 school year, along with several decisions affecting operations and capital improvements.
The board packet includes a proposed update to Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) policy to restore Wenatchee High School as an approved ALE program location. The change is connected to a new remote learning option for juniors and seniors, particularly students participating in Running Start or Accelerated Pathways programs who are not regularly on campus and need structured support completing their High School and Beyond Plan.
The meeting also includes action related to the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization project. The board will consider a change order increasing the project's Guaranteed Maximum Price by $373,496. The increase is attributed to unforeseen site conditions, code requirements, and improvements intended to support safety, durability, and career training spaces.
Personnel changes for the 2026-27 school year are also included. The district is recommending approval of numerous new hires, including special education staff, teachers, counselors, support specialists, and technical education positions. The report also documents resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, returns from leave, and activity-related stipends.
The board will also consider governance commitments, review first readings of policies, and vote on property and fund transfer resolutions. These actions reflect ongoing planning for district facilities, finances, student services, and long-term operations.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center Modernization Change Order
The board will consider Change Order No. 1 for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization project. The proposed change order increases the Guaranteed Maximum Price by $373,496.
The increase is tied to several project adjustments, including unforeseen soil conditions, updated mechanical and plumbing requirements, code-related improvements, and selected facility enhancements. The district reports that the change order will be funded from existing project contingency rather than requiring additional project funding.
Major cost components include:
- Building B wet-soils mitigation for the exterior stair foundation: $1,214
- Dental equipment mechanical and plumbing modifications: $68,404
- Building A wet-soils mitigation: $44,884
- Additional Building A Fire Science flooring improvements: $25,062
- Building A re-roof work: $223,267
- Grounding conductors for Buildings A and B: $1,659
After the change order, approximately $485,441 in project contingency and $200,000 in design-build contingency will remain, for approximately $685,441 in remaining contingency. The district states that the change order will not affect the project schedule.
The project involves Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, located at 327 E Penny Road in Wenatchee, and includes improvements supporting career and technical education programs, including dental training and Fire Science facilities.
Board Budget Hearing and 2026-27 Financial Planning
The meeting includes a formal board budget hearing for the district's 2026-27 budget. The packet indicates that district leaders have been reviewing enrollment trends, year-end projections, and budget assumptions.
Previous budget discussions included projected overall enrollment decline, while noting optimism that Valley Academy enrollment may continue improving. District staff reviewed budget forecasts both with and without capacity considerations.
The budget discussion is important because enrollment trends affect state funding, staffing needs, instructional resources, and long-term financial planning. Community members may participate through the budget hearing public comment opportunity.
Alternative Learning Experience Policy Update
The board will consider Policy 2255, Alternative Learning Experience Programs. The proposed non-substantive change adds Wenatchee High School back to the list of schools offering ALE courses.
The district previously removed Wenatchee High School from the policy after ending online ALE courses offered there in 2024. The district now plans to add an ALE course for juniors and seniors focused on completing High School and Beyond Plans remotely.
The program is intended to support students who are not on campus full-time, including students participating in Running Start and Accelerated Pathways programs. District staff reported challenges connecting with these students and supporting completion of graduation requirements.
The updated policy continues to require student learning plans, regular contact, progress evaluations, assessments, enrollment documentation, and state reporting requirements.
Personnel Report and Staffing for 2026-27
The board will review the district personnel report prepared by Executive Director of Human Resources Kelly Lopez and Superintendent Dr. Kory Kalahar.
The report includes new hires for the 2026-27 school year across multiple areas. Positions include special education paraprofessionals, attendance staff, student support specialists, counselors, teachers, nurses, career and technical education staff, multilingual retention specialists, and other instructional support roles.
Examples of new positions include:
- Special education paraprofessionals
- Multilingual retention specialists
- Concurrent Enrollment Coordinator at Wenatchee High School
- CTE Agriculture teacher
- Business/Broadcast Media teacher
- Counselors at multiple schools
- Special education teachers
- Elementary and middle school classroom teachers
The report also identifies resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, returns from leave, and extracurricular stipends for activities including athletics, clubs, music, and leadership programs.
Property Resolution and Lot Line Adjustment
The board will consider Resolution 05-26 related to a conveyance for a lot line adjustment and reciprocal easement involving property at 1911 N. Wenatchee Avenue.
The packet includes related documents including a quit claim deed, purchase and sale agreement, and mutual easement agreement. The board action is intended to formalize the property transaction and related access arrangements.
Transfer of Funds to Capital Projects Fund
The board will consider Resolution 06-26 authorizing a transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center.
This action is connected to district capital planning and facility investments. The packet does not provide the transfer amount.
Bright Spots Recognition: Migrant Positions of the Year
The board agenda includes recognition of the 2026 Migrant Positions of the Year featuring Nancy Navarro and Mayra Cortes.
The recognition follows previous district presentations highlighting migrant education programs, including summer programming for eligible kindergarten through eighth-grade students, instructional activities, field experiences, and community partnerships.
Financial Matters
The most significant financial item in the packet is the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization change order totaling $373,496. The district reports that the cost will be covered through existing project contingency funds.
The change order increases the project's Guaranteed Maximum Price but does not extend the construction schedule. Remaining contingency is estimated at approximately $685,441 across project and design-build contingency.
The meeting also includes routine financial approvals through the consent agenda, including payroll, vouchers, contracts, and the May 2026 financial report. Specific totals from those documents were not available in the extracted text.
The board budget hearing will provide an opportunity for discussion and public comment regarding the district's 2026-27 financial plan.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board will review first readings of policies and discuss Wenatchee School Board Governance Commitments.
The major policy item identified in the packet is Policy 2255, Alternative Learning Experience Programs. The proposed update adds Wenatchee High School as an ALE provider to support remote completion of High School and Beyond Plans for eligible students.
The board will also consider two resolutions:
- Resolution 05-26 concerning a lot line adjustment and reciprocal easement at 1911 N. Wenatchee Avenue.
- Resolution 06-26 transferring funds from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center.
The superintendent report and board communication sections provide district updates.
Previous district reporting highlighted student learning outcomes, including reading growth, progress among English learners and special education students, and continued efforts to improve mathematics outcomes. District goals include increasing growth rates across instructional areas.
The district has emphasized continued focus on core instruction, Professional Learning Communities, targeted interventions, and stronger building-level support.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The personnel report identifies staffing changes before the 2026-27 school year.
The district is adding staff in instructional, student support, special education, counseling, technology, athletics, and career training roles. Several employees are also returning from leave, while others are retiring or leaving district employment.
The report includes temporary and extracurricular assignments such as athletic coaching, club support, musical production leadership, and instructional leadership team stipends.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The major facility issue is the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization project.
The project change order addresses construction conditions and improvements affecting:
- Building foundations
- Dental training infrastructure
- Fire Science training areas
- Roofing
- Electrical grounding
- Mechanical systems
The district reports that the project remains within a positive budget position and that the approved changes will not delay completion.
The board agenda includes:
- Budget hearing citizen comments
- Regular citizen comments
Residents may register to provide public comment remotely or in person through the district meeting registration process.
The meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Residents and taxpayers may be most affected by decisions involving district finances, capital projects, and future facility investments.
Students may be affected by the ALE policy update, which provides additional support for students completing graduation requirements through remote learning options.
Families may see effects from staffing changes, expanded student support positions, career and technical education improvements, and continued instructional initiatives.
Employees may be affected by staffing decisions, new hires, retirements, leaves, and organizational changes for the upcoming school year.
Career and technical education students may benefit from improvements at the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, including updated training spaces and infrastructure.
- How will the 2026-27 budget respond to projected enrollment changes?
- What outcomes will the district use to evaluate the new Wenatchee High School ALE option?
- How many students are expected to participate in the new ALE course?
- What is the long-term financial plan for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization project?
- How will remaining contingency funds be managed after the change order?
- What student programs will benefit most from the technical skills center improvements?
- How will staffing changes affect class sizes and student services?
- What additional opportunities exist for community members to provide input on the district budget?
- How will the district measure progress on instructional improvement goals?
- What future board actions are expected related to facilities and capital projects?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- August 11, 2026: Regular Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
- August 11, 2026: Board budget hearing and citizen comments.
- August 11, 2026: Board consideration of Policy 2255 update, resolutions, and other agenda actions.
- 2026-27 School Year: New ALE course at Wenatchee High School is planned for eligible juniors and seniors.
- 2026-27 School Year: New personnel assignments begin, primarily starting August 26, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Wenatchee School District will hold its regular board meeting on August 11, 2026.
- The board will conduct a budget hearing for the 2026-27 school year.
- A $373,496 change order is proposed for the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center modernization project.
- The district reports the project remains within available contingency funding.
- Wenatchee High School may be added back as an Alternative Learning Experience provider.
- The ALE update is intended to support students completing High School and Beyond Plans remotely.
- The district is preparing for significant staffing changes before the 2026-27 school year.
- New hires include teachers, counselors, special education staff, and student support positions.
- The board will consider property-related Resolution 05-26 involving 1911 N. Wenatchee Avenue.
- The board will consider transferring funds to the Capital Projects Fund for the technical skills center.
- Community members may participate through public comment opportunities.
- District priorities include student achievement, facility improvements, and operational planning.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Wenatchee School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Douglas-Chelan, washington
- County: Chelan
- Provider: wordpress-documents
Keywords
Wenatchee School District, school board meeting, August 2026 board meeting, 2026-27 budget, budget hearing, Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center, modernization project, change order, capital projects fund, Alternative Learning Experience, ALE policy, Wenatchee High School, student support, personnel report, staffing, special education, career and technical education, facilities, construction, Resolution 05-26, Resolution 06-26, High School and Beyond Plan, Running Start, Accelerated Pathways, Chelan County
