This cutting-edge program is a direct result of our community’s investment. While other schools don’t have these facilities yet due to high costs, the 2019 School Construction Bond made this shop possible. Thank you, voters!

“I have to give a big shout-out to our construction team,” said Jeff Johnson, Director of Career and College Readiness. “They found a way to help us really outfit the shop with industry-quality equipment.” 

The shop isn't just a room at the new school. It’s a pathway to a high-paying career. Johnson said that the equipment arriving now is better than what many pros used during their own training. “Some of the workers were in there saying that this shop is nicer than the ones that they learned in at their community colleges or technical schools.”

To accompany the professional-grade equipment, the School Board recently approved a comprehensive welding curriculum that covers all the real-life skills students will need to kick start their careers as soon as they cross the graduation stage.

“What’s going to happen at Bethel High School with any student that comes through this program starting next year is just state-of-the-art,” said Board Director Roseanna Camacho.

Along with their high school diplomas, these students will also earn the certifications needed to land a high-demand job right out of high school. That means they’ll be able to see a clear path, from practice to paycheck.

Thanks to our community's incredible support, we are officially moving into the brand-new Bethel High School building. This massive undertaking is a monumental milestone for our district, and we want to send a huge thank you to the voters who made this beautiful new space a reality!

The domino effect of school construction means Cedarcrest Middle School is also packing its bags. Soon after school gets out, the old Cedarcrest building will be torn down to make way for a brand-new school. In the meantime, Cedarcrest staff and students are moving into the old Bethel High School building, which will serve as their temporary home for the next two years while their new school is being built. Once again, a big thank you goes to our voters for partnering with us to build a better future for our kids.

Moving two entire schools is just the tip of the iceberg. Operations teams will be working districtwide to ensure every building is refreshed and ready for the first day of school this fall. Roofs are being replaced at Roy Elementary and Thompson Elementary, while Pioneer Valley Elementary is getting brand-new flooring. Drivers will also notice smooth new pavement at Centennial Elementary and Roy Elementary.

To accommodate our growing community, Expedition Elementary is officially getting portables, and Frederickson Elementary staff and students will stay cool with a brand-new HVAC chiller. 

Crews will update the Pierce County Skills Center’s kitchen, tackle Art Crate Stadium with multiple projects including concessions, and Spanaway Lake High School is getting a new greenhouse. We are also making crucial portable improvements at Elk Plain to better serve our Special Services team.

On top of these major construction tasks, custodial teams will be doing the heavy lifting of waxing floors, resurfacing gym courts, and cleaning carpets across our schools.

When students return in the fall, they will step into bright, safe, and beautifully updated spaces designed to help them thrive.

For most of our 4,817 participating middle and high school athletes, sports aren't about going pro, they are about personal growth. In fact, only one-third of our students play at the varsity level.

While our varsity teams get the headlines, our JV and C-Team programs are where the real magic of growth happens. These teams aren't just a bench, they are a laboratory for grit and persistence.

“Two-thirds of our kids are playing on sub-varsity, which means they're developmental,” said Bryan Streleski, Director of Athletics and Security. “We're trying to make them better, trying to help them improve, to get better every single day.”

In our schools, "developmental" is just another word for "opportunity." It’s where a student who has never picked up wrestling headgear finds their footing and their confidence.

That commitment to the game translates directly to the classroom. Student-athletes in our schools maintain GPAs nearly half a point higher than students who don’t participate in activities. These students are also seeing higher attendance and graduation rates as well. 

“They’ve got to stay eligible to participate,” said Streleski. “But they're not just staying eligible, they're excelling.”

To ensure every student can find a place to belong, our athletic programs continue to expand. This year, we added a middle school girls wrestling tournament to mirror our long-standing high school programs. And girls flag football continues to expand.

Perhaps the most powerful example of that community is found in our Unified Sports teams, where special education students and general education students compete together in everything from basketball to track and field. “It's phenomenal,” said Streleski. “It's great for our students with special needs. It's also great for our partner kids to learn and grow and understand how to work within a community.”

These opportunities are made possible by our community. The Educational Programs & Operations Levy is the backbone of our athletics program. It ensures our students have the tools to succeed both on the field and in life. Thank you, voters!

This year, in her first grade classroom at Shining Mountain Elementary, she has seven multilingual students in her classroom. These are students who are learning English, on top of learning the curriculum. It sounds like a heavy lift for a six-year-old. Enter Brianna Kangas, the school’s multilingual education teacher.

"Being multilingual is such a superpower,” Kangas said. "There's different neural pathways that are strengthened and created when you are acquiring and learning another language, and so it just makes your brain super, super strong.”

To help the multilingual students unlock those superpowers, Kangas and Mariano are using Total Physical Response (TPR) to turn new vocabulary words into actions. A familiar phrase that echoes throughout the classroom describes it well, "Say the word and do the motion!"

TPR is not American Sign Language. Kangas and Mariano co-plan their lessons and determine which vocabulary words will get the TPR treatment. Putting an invisible crown on your head is used for the word “British.” For the word “country” students pretend to plant a flag in the ground.

This allows first graders, some of whom are still learning English, to define and understand concepts as broad as American Independence, and to get hands on with events like the Boston Tea Party.

When students learn the word "government," there is a gesture. When they say "independence," there is a movement. 

“Recently, I got a new student who is a newcomer to the United States and on day one he was able to participate in our lesson through the use of those hand gestures,” said Mariano.

And the strategy works whether you’re a native English speaker or not.

“When you pair a motion with a vocabulary word, when you're saying something at the same time your body's doing something, there's something that happens in your brain that's going to help you remember and connect that word," Kangas said.

In other words, every student is benefiting. And the impact continues as those vocabulary words become essays. As students lean over their papers, their free hands often form the gestures they learned earlier that morning. They are rehearsing their sentences before committing the words to paper.

“You'll see them doing the hand motions as they write, to help them recall that vocabulary,” said Mariano. ”They can really just focus in on the mechanics of writing.”

Kangas co-teachers with Mariano for one period a day. Their partnership is helping students to build the academic language they need to thrive.

And in this classroom, students are learning with their voices, their hands, and their hearts.

That’s the advice Lyllian, a senior at Bethel High School, offered to those following in her footsteps. It is empowered advice, and likely not something she would have shared three years ago. Her confidence blossomed through a unique opportunity in our district called the Superintendent’s Student Leadership Council.

“I felt like SSLC pushed me past my comfort zone of talking to other individuals,” Lyllian said. “It helped me step into the realm of what's happening at my school and what's happening at other schools.”

Now, finishing up her third year with the council, Lyllian finds it powerful to advocate for change that can impact students districtwide. “You are representing this entire district,” she said. “You are representing all of the high schools, all the elementary schools and middle schools.”

The SSLC recently put their representative power into action during their annual roundtable dinner with the School Board. This isn’t a dry presentation from a podium. Instead, Board members visit individual tables to listen, learn, and engage in in-depth conversations about the student experience.

And the students did not shy away from heavy topics. They led discussions on staff diversity and the need for more multicultural programs and interpreters. They also brought practical solutions to the table, requesting updates to the advisory curriculum to include "real-life skills" like financial literacy. While algebra has its place, they want to graduate knowing how to handle loans, credit, taxes, and mortgages, while also mastering professional skills like resume building and interviewing.

Board President Marcus Young thanked the students for bringing both concerns and solutions to the table. “I felt like I heard the voice of those individuals that you all serve in your schools,” he said. “You did it with conviction, you did it with clarity, and you actually caused me and the Superintendent to have to reassess our thoughts.”

School Board Vice President Teresa Cosio said the candor was a breath of fresh air for the Board. “Continue these conversations, but bring them to the board more often,” she told the students. “We need feedback throughout the year on how well we're doing and how our staff is doing on supporting you.”

As for Lyllian, her journey of self-expression is just beginning. After she crosses the Bethel High graduation stage next month, she plans to attend The Evergreen State College in Olympia to major in performing arts and fine arts, with a goal of minoring in creative writing. While she’s there, the change she championed here will continue to support students across our district for years to come.

While some might picture a library as a place of hushed silence and heavy curtains, Dalin prefers a bit of "controlled chaos" and the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest.

Dalin is in her second year as a teacher librarian, but her journey to Bethel began in a very different setting. After graduating from WSU with a biology degree and working as a nursing assistant, she realized her true calling lay in the classroom. She spent three years as a high school science teacher before finding her home in the library. This shift was fueled by a desire to reconnect students with the joy of discovery through pages rather than just lab reports.

“It’s incredible to see these kids grow and get excited about books," Dalin said. "That’s why I became a librarian. I saw a lot of kids just not being excited about books and I was like, that’s what I want to do. I want them to love reading.”

Her inspiration stems from a family legacy of teaching and the impact of her own high school mentor. He was a steady presence for her during difficult times, and she strives to be that same "rock" for her students today. Whether she is leading the Battle of the Books team or helping students dig into the school’s garden club, her focus is always on fostering growth.

As the weather warms, Dalin often trades the bookshelves for the school grounds, proving that literacy doesn't have to be a sedentary indoor activity.

“We like to take the kids outside to read sometimes when it’s really beautiful," Dalin said. "We have bins of books and I'm like, let’s just go out, sit down on the ground and enjoy some sunshine and read some books.”

By bringing stories into the sunlight, Dalin is ensuring that her students don't just learn to read, but learn to love the experience of getting lost in a great book. 

To make the Ferrucci staff feel at home, Naches Trail staff stocked the lounge with snacks and drinks, accompanied by a handmade “Welcome to the Neighborhood” sign.

This spirit of partnership is possible because of our 2019 School Construction Bond. The bond funded the new Naches Trail Elementary, leaving the old building available as a vital resource for our staff and the community, and now, for our neighbors in need. Thank you, voters!

In the end, Superintendent Brian Lowney said we are here to support all students, and that includes being a good neighbor when Puyallup needed us. “We are more than happy to step in and help, and we’ve ensured this won't impact our students here in Bethel or cost our taxpayers anything extra.”

Tone is important, but safety is paramount. That’s why we’re proud to announce that our transportation team’s meticulous attention to detail has once again earned the district a Letter of Achievement from the Washington State Patrol and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for exceptional inspection results.  

This Letter of Achievement is the direct result of the "diligent and tireless efforts" of our entire transportation team.

While the high-tech routing software we recently launched helps keep our bus schedules efficient, the true engine of the department is our people. “When I think of a bus driver, they’re not just opening and closing doors and pressing the gas and brake pedals and turning the wheel,” said Transportation Director John West. “They are responsible for so much more. They really have the ability to set the tone.”

Preparation for that responsibility is rigorous. Drivers undergo 6-8 weeks of training, including more than 300 hours of paid classroom instruction and on-the-road practice. This includes specialized certifications to ensure they are ready for any situation, because at the end of the day, they are transporting the most precious cargo there is.

“Families rely on our services at Transportation, and we take that seriously,” West said. “We really take pride in our jobs and pride in our drivers, and all around what we do to get kids to school so they can have the best education possible.”

Interested in joining our state-recognized transportation team? We offer paid training, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a child's life every day. Visit jobs.bethelsd.org to learn more.

With nine schools honored, the Bethel School District leads all of Pierce County in state recognition this year, standing as one of the top-recognized districts in the entire state for student growth. That means ensuring every student group, regardless of background, is on an upward trajectory.

If you walk into any of these nine schools today, you'll see what success looks like in action. A teacher at Frontier Middle finding a new way to explain a concept to a student learning English. A senior at Bethel Acceleration Academy – perhaps the first in their family to head toward a diploma – realizing that their income level doesn’t dictate their future.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal praised the achievement. “I want to thank every student, every family, and every educator that has leaned into the work of advancing student achievement,” he said.

The program recognizes school achievement in specific categories:

Closing Gaps: These schools made significant advancements for student groups in areas identified for improvement.

• Frontier Middle School
  • Increased English language proficiency progress to more than 9.4% after being identified for targeted supports. 
• Liberty Middle School
  • Increased English language proficiency progress to more than 9.4% after being identified for targeted supports.

Growth: These schools have student groups among the highest performers (top 10% statewide) on key measures.

• Bethel Acceleration Academy
  • Top 10% for Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, English Language Learner, and Low-income student growth in Graduation Rates and Dual Credit Completion.
• Elk Plain School of Choice
  • Top 10% for Asian student growth in ELA Proficiency and Attendance. 
• Frederickson Elementary
  • Top 10% for Asian student growth in ELA, Math, and Attendance.
• Graham Elementary
  • Top 10% for Black student growth in Math Proficiency and Attendance.
• Katherine G. Johnson Elementary
  • Top 10% for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and English Language Learner growth in ELA/Math Proficiency and Growth Percentiles.
• Nelson Elementary
  • Top 10% for Hispanic/Latino and English Language Learner growth in ELA/Math Proficiency and Growth Percentiles. 
• Spanaway Elementary
  • Top 10% for English Language Learner growth in ELA and Math Student Growth Percentiles.

This is a huge win for our teachers who stay late, the parents who push at home, and the students who decide that "good enough" isn't enough. Our schools are getting better because they refuse to leave anyone behind. 

You can find a complete list of all the 2026 recognized schools at https://sbe.wa.gov/2026-recognized-schools

Ever, a current freshman, felt that shift personally. For her, the backbone of her high school experience wasn't just the curriculum, but the specific programs that the teachers provided to keep her upright.

"Study Support was very helpful," Ever said. "I was able to go in the morning because some kids aren't able to go after school, so having these things during school are very helpful for many students".

Study Support is just one of many programs that GK has put in place recently to help 9th graders thrive.

"There's after-school ELA help, and math help, and science, and it's like—it's really helpful,” Ever said. “You're able to focus on that certain subject and you're really able to talk to the teacher personally instead of doing it in front of a whole class."

The goal is simple but essential: to keep students on track to graduate. Principal Kevin Zamira said that ninth grade is the foundation for everything that follows. “It's easily the most pivotal year of their high school career,” he said.

The data shows their strategy is working. In the 2023-24 school year, only 57.5% of freshmen were on track to graduate. That number jumped nearly 10% in a single year, and by the second trimester of this school year, it had reached 79%.

A team of 20 teachers at GK is working tirelessly to help students master the real-life skills needed for success. Skills like communication, confidence, and critical thinking – the same skills highlighted in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate. 

"My communication skills have really improved," Ever said. "They've given us many, many tools, and the teachers are very welcoming. If you need help in any class, you can just always talk to them.”

Ever recently visited Frontier Middle School to help eighth graders prepare for their own leap into high school this fall. She, and other freshmen, showed them how to manage Gradebook and use the resources available. 

"All these things, all these resources, have helped me prepare for 10th grade," Ever said.

Ninth grade success leader Courtney Paulsen said the GK staff is constantly evolving to meet student needs. "You have teachers and staff members that care about the students, and we are willing to change to help students," she said.

With the success being seen in the freshman wing, GK is now looking to expand this supportive model to the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

"The weakest link, and this is why we’re focusing on people, is humans," said Mike Christianson, Chief Technology Officer. While the district uses sophisticated software, Christianson knows that one wrong click can bypass the strongest defenses.

This isn’t just a kid problem, adults can make these mistakes too. Recently our tech team has been doing a little "friendly phishing." They send emails to staff that look too good to be true: a link to a free Starbucks card can seem very tempting as an afternoon pick-me-up. But when a staff member clicks the link in one of these test emails, they receive an immediate, helpful tip on how to better identify fake emails in the future. 

The district has also implemented districtwide security upgrades funded by our community’s continued support of our Technology Levy. This includes MDR Systems that detect and shut down malicious activity the moment it appears. That, along with the addition of two-factor authentication has helped protect our staff and students. A few months ago, we hired a white-hat hacking company to break into our system, and they couldn’t do it. The digital deadbolts were locked.

When it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI), the district is moving with "responsible, ethical, and intentional" caution.

“To AI or to not AI,” posed Christianson. "That’s probably the wrong question. It’s more like: when to AI, not if to AI.”

While AI is an essential tool for the future, the district is currently limiting student access and working on introducing protected ecosystems, different than ChatGPT.

“We have another product we've been working with out of the University of Washington on their project called Colleague AI,” said Christianson. “It's built for teachers and students.” And it ensures that no student data will be sold or misused.

Staff will also be getting training on AI in the near future. “We want a responsible, ethical, and intentional use of AI,” said Christianson. “It’ll be rolled out with guidance for students, staff, and teachers for summer training in August. We’re also going to be utilizing these late starts to continue that learning throughout the year.”

We live in a complex digital world. And our tech team is making decisions that will help ensure that technology remains a tool for growth, not a distraction. This work is only possible thanks to our Technology Levy. Thank you, voters!

That’s according to a study by Georgetown University. Now, post-secondary education can mean a lot of things. It’s not just about attending a two- or four-year college or university anymore. It can be a vocational or trade school, apprenticeship, or military service.

School Board Director John Manning said there are many ways for high school graduates to make themselves marketable so that they can earn a living wage and find the work they’re wired to do. 

“I'm a trade school kind of person,” he said. “It is okay to get out of high school and go to work for Boeing or Toray Composites or any other place that you can find a job where you're happy.”

Our graduation rates here in Bethel are strong. Over 90% of our students graduate on time. And that number increases when you look at our five and six year rates. But we don't have strong numbers when it comes to meaningful post-graduation learning. In 2025 we saw only 45% of our graduates enroll in a two- or four-year college. That is lower than the state average.

That means 55% of those graduates are doing something else, including employment right out of high school. This is where the district wants to focus, to make sure that “something else” is an intentional choice, not a default.

"'Employed’ for me … I've had to kind of change my thinking on that,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney. “It's employed in a way where there's room to grow in a career, so that they're not bottomed out in a way that they won't have a family-earning wage.”

Even if a graduate doesn't see college in their future, that doesn't mean we don't need to push them to try hard classes while they’re in high school.

“Every piece of data out there right now shows that the skills it takes to be successful taking an academic course load are the same skills they're going to need in an apprenticeship, to advance and become a journeyman,” Lowney said.

Along with the academic rigor, Board President Marcus Young said part of the responsibility is with our staff developing relationships with students to help guide them through their formative years. “Developing relationships with them early so that we can get them thinking about what ‘next’ looks like. That it's not too early at seventh grade to be thinking about what next is,” he said.

Building those relationships is key and its importance was echoed by one of our graduating seniors, Autumn Humbert. “Most of our students, they don't feel that sense of accomplishment because they don't have the relationship with either the ‘higher-ups,’ or the teachers, or have that sense of knowledge that they can push forward, or that they can do greater things. So that accountability on the higher-ups of people thinking of what to do next starts with that relationship,” she said.

Board Director Roseanna Camacho said staff are a key piece of the puzzle. “Whenever I see interviews of adults being asked, ‘What got you to where you are today? What was that spark?’ You always hear it go back to a teacher,” she said. “Someone in third grade, kindergarten, high school, that just really understood them, really connected with them on a different level that maybe no other adult person in their life had.”

The Class of 2031 is still in middle school. But building student success skills and challenging them to increase their academic intensity is already well underway. And their "High School and Beyond" plan, which is used for career exploration, actually begins in seventh grade.

Though there’s work to be done, senior Autumn Humbert said Bethel is already a step above other districts. “For my cousins in my family, they live on the East Coast; they don't have the other opportunities that we have. I mention Running Start … ‘What's that?’ I mention Skills Center … ‘What's that?’”

For the Class of 2031, and all the classes that come before them, our commitment is clear: to ensure that when our students cross the graduation stage, that day is truly a beginning, not an ending. That they stand proudly, knowing that they are prepared with the confidence and skills to find the fulfilling work that will fuel a lifetime of success.

“Based on the legislative changes, we are now projecting that we’ll collect millions of dollars less in Local Effort Assistance than what we expected,” she said.

Let’s rewind. In February 2026, the Bethel community showed up for its students, approving both the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) and Technology levies. That support was more than just a vote of confidence, it was the key that unlocked additional state funding known as Local Effort Assistance (LEA).

For property-poor districts like Bethel, LEA is a lifeline. It’s designed to help our schools "keep up" with property-rich districts, providing us more than $12 million in annual state funding that only triggers when local voters approve district levies.

However, while our community kept its promise, the state changed the rules. Now, despite the levy wins, legislative changes mean the state is cutting back on the very assistance Bethel relies on. And it only gets worse.

The ripples of this decision extend well beyond next school year. Donnelly noted that our district is looking at a potential $30 million impact over the next three years.

“You can see the challenges in front of us in building a balanced budget,” Superintendent Brian Lowney said.

While the news is sobering, the district isn’t standing still. District leadership is already coordinating with legislators and neighboring districts to advocate for a fix in future legislative sessions.

You can make your voice heard as well. To find the contact information for the legislators who represent you in Olympia, click here.

For now, the focus remains on fiscal responsibility – ensuring that every dollar, whether from local taxpayers or the state, is used to impact student growth.

Teaching English has never been easy. There are rules, exceptions to the rules, and exceptions to the exceptions. That’s where a good curriculum comes in, to help teachers connect with students about idioms, inflections, irregular spellings, and more.

Our Department of Secondary Teaching and Learning has completed an adoption process that is bringing new ELA curriculum to our sixth through twelfth grade students this fall. The curriculum is Into Literature. It’s complemented with two Spanish dual language curricula, Inquiry by Design (grades 6-8) and Azulejo (grades 9-12).

This is all on the heels of our elementary students getting a new ELA curriculum last year. This new secondary curriculum will connect intentionally with that, helping students bridge the gap from elementary to middle school. It’s also replacing an 11-year-old curriculum that was being phased out by the publisher. 

The adoption process involved an initial 25 teachers and administrators to narrow the field of curriculum options. It then expanded with a pilot committee of 37 teachers across all seven grade levels. The pilot process involved nearly 2,000 students.

After gathering feedback from teachers, students, and community members, the adoption committee made a unanimous choice.

“This new curriculum … could really help students and open their horizons to new chapters of their lives so they don’t feel like they’re being left behind," said School Board Student Representative Autumn Humbert. 

Keeping students’ needs at the forefront was one of the team’s main goals. Another was to find a curriculum that reflected our district’s diverse population, allowing students to see themselves in the stories they read.

The School Board approved the new curriculum at their April 21, 2026 regular meeting.

9th graders from Ferrucci will go to Puyallup’s Emerald Ridge High School to complete the school year.

Classes would begin at the old Naches Trail on May 4, 2026, which will give Bethel staff time to repurpose spaces in the school that are currently in use.

The old Naches Trail school is currently being used for district office and community space. Last year it was used by Evergreen Elementary staff and students when their school was being remodeled thanks to our 2019 School Construction Bond. The new Naches Trail Elementary was also funded by that bond. Thank you, voters!

“At the end of the day, we are here to support all kids, and that includes being a good neighbor when Puyallup students need us,” said Bethel Superintendent Brian Lowney. “We are more than happy to step in and help, and we’ve ensured this won't impact our students here in Bethel or cost our taxpayers anything extra.”

Puyallup SD has specific details for Ferrucci parents at puyallupsd.org 

That means students often come with valuable language skills and cultural knowledge already in place. Bethel’s Multilingual Education (MLE) program builds on those strengths while helping students grow academically and socially.

Across the district, our students speak more than 76 languages, reflecting the diversity that makes the community strong. The district’s MLE program supports students as they continue developing English while maintaining pride in the languages and cultures they bring with them.

One major focus of the program is helping students master academic English by helping build the vocabulary and communication skills needed for success in every subject area.

But it's not just about academics. There are also long-term cognitive benefits connected to multilingualism. Students who regularly think, read, and communicate in more than one language are constantly strengthening important brain pathways connected to memory, problem solving, and adaptability.

“One thing that they have found with our multilingual learners is that when they're having to think in more than one language, their brains are constantly making those new neural pathways. And so what happens is multilingual students just have these really strong pathways for learning,” said Carla Louck, Secondary MLE TOSA.

Those benefits extend well beyond the classroom. In today’s world, being able to communicate in more than one language is an advantage in careers, higher education, travel, and everyday life.

“Multilingualism in general is just such a strong skill to have, to be able to think and talk in more than one language has a lot of great benefits. I love that our school district has a Dual Language program so that we are really thinking about how that can impact student learning,” Louck said.

The community will have a chance to celebrate that work at our annual Family Fun Night on May 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Spanaway Lake High School. This special evening brings together students, families, and staff for a vibrant celebration of culture, language, and community featuring food, interactive booths, and student performances. All are welcome to attend.

"What makes it really special is we have the opportunity to have these students here with us for nine years,” said Principal Ashley Swindahl. “By the time you're in eighth grade you're still walking by your kindergarten teachers."

That nine-year journey of consistency and creativity is rooted in the school’s integration of the arts and sciences into daily instruction. Swindahl said that the school also prioritizes hands-on learning and creativity to help students better retain information and develop essential life skills. Elk Plain features hour-long specialist periods that allow for a robust rotation of subjects, including art, music, science, and an elementary theater program that teaches public speaking and leadership from a very young age.

One of the most distinct departures from the traditional school model is the absence of a standard PE program. In its place, Elk Plain offers a comprehensive dance program. This meets the essential physical education standards through a creative lens, encouraging students to move their bodies while exploring artistic expression.

The impact of this specialized focus is evident in the students themselves. Eighth-grader Levi said the school’s unique offerings, such as theater and debate, helped him overcome shyness and gain practical technical skills, including building sets for one of the school’s plays.

"Before that class I didn't know how to use things such as drills or nails, but now I've grown and improved,” he said. “It brings me joy to be able to see other people enjoy my own creation."

While Elk Plain is not a traditional neighborhood school, anyone can apply to attend.

"Any kid can be an Elk Plain kid," Swindahl said. While the school often has a waitlist, the goal remains to make this specialized, "bouquet of experiences" available to any student in the community interested in a more creative, academic path.

Levi has loved every minute of his time at Elk Plain, and he is quick to recommend it to others.

“When I'm older I will most definitely bring my kids here because this is such an amazing school," he said.

The mentorship program pairs first and second year teachers with veteran mentors, dedicated teachers whose job is to provide one-on-one support.

For high school teacher Megan Bentley-Moon, this made all the difference. "The sole focus is for me to be a better teacher, and how amazing is that?” she said. She said her mentor acted like a true cheerleader and was deeply invested in her growth. And when she faced a tough challenge, her mentor stepped right in. "I actually talked to [my mentor] about it and she came in for a whole week solid and we worked on it together until we got the culture in the classroom where we wanted it to be,” she said. “I really saw things get better from that point on.”

The strength of the mentorship program is that real, practical support is right there in the classroom, giving new teachers tools and tips that they can use immediately. This support system also ensures that new teachers gain a crucial foundation: confidence. "She pointed out my accomplishments that I didn’t always see for myself which really helped me grow in my confidence,” said Bentley-Moon.

By building up new teachers, we are strengthening the whole school environment. In addition to individual coaching, the mentor program builds friendships and connections through group training sessions made just for first and second-year teachers. “I always leave feeling like I now have more tools that I can immediately use in the classroom,” said Bentley-Moon.

But this training doesn't just help the individual, it raises the bar for the entire district. Assistant Principal Valerie Budinich said this program quickly helps new teachers become contributing team members alongside their experienced colleagues. “Our new teachers are bringing what they're learning into their teams, into our school, and continuing the learning."

That's why the mentorship program is an investment in the future of education, and a clear sign of what our district values. "I just don't know what we'd do without this program," said Budinich.

For any teacher seeking a district that will truly invest in their well-being and growth from day one, our teacher mentorship program is one of the ways you can see that Bethel is a supportive, inspiring, and dynamic place to start a career.

School counselor Nick Rogen started Frontier’s Dungeons & Dragons club not just because he loves fantasy stories, but because he saw the game as a powerful way to help students grow.

“What’s cool about it, especially as a counselor, is that I can mold the story into something where they’re using actual social skills. So I’ve coupled it with Character Strong, which is our social-emotional curriculum," Rogen said.

Before each campaign begins, Rogen introduces students to concepts from Character Strong then, as the adventure unfolds, students get a chance to practice those skills in real time through the game.

“A good thing to do is put yourself in their shoes," Rogen said. "As adults, we’ve all been to meetings that you kind of just suffer through. They maybe teach you skills, but then you’re expected to just know how to apply those skills, and applying skills can be tough and scary. So I thought it would be cool to be able to practice those skills in a safe way, and the kids don’t even really know they’re doing it.”

In Dungeons & Dragons, players must work together to solve problems, navigate conflicts, and make decisions as a team. That collaboration naturally builds communication, empathy, and confidence – skills that are just as useful in the real world as they are in a fantasy setting.

Rogen compares the concept to something he once read in a cookbook. A chef described how to sneak vegetables into meals that kids already love, making healthy food more appealing. Rogen says the club works in much the same way.

Students think they’re simply playing a fun game, but along the way they’re also learning how to listen to others, think creatively, and support their teammates.

For seventh grader Vix, who has played Dungeons & Dragons since fifth grade, the club has been a way to grow more comfortable around other people.

“The more we played and the more everyone talked, I got more comfortable being around people I didn’t know. I would talk a lot more than I used to. I would feel more included. Every time I go to D&D, I’m excited to see my friends and see Mr. Rogen, because he’s an awesome Dungeon Master!” Vix said.

Rogen says that sense of connection is one of the most important parts of the club. Students who may not have known each other before suddenly find themselves working side-by-side to defeat monsters, solve puzzles, and complete quests – all while growing their stable of social skills.

From the earliest grades, students begin learning academic content in Spanish while also developing their English skills. For kindergarten teacher Vanessa Tepalcingo, watching students take those first steps is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“They come in knowing nothing, and then you see so much growth through the year,” Tepalcingo said. “They learn their letters, their letter sounds, how to read, how to write, all their numbers. And they’re learning it all in a whole new language, which is amazing to see.”

Those early years lay the groundwork for continued growth as students move through the program. By the time they reach the upper grades -- and eventually middle and high school -- the academic expectations have grown, but so has the confidence students bring with them.

“One of the biggest improvements I have seen in students is their self-confidence. I work with fifth graders in particular, and at the beginning of the school year, students are often very nervous and afraid because they have heard that fifth grade is a challenging year, and honestly, it is,” said fifth grade teacher Keren Villanueva. “The children are learning more complex content. However, the most exciting thing is that as the year progresses, the students grow, surpass themselves, and strengthen their confidence. In addition, they begin to learn the content in Spanish, and then they can master it in English.”

That ability to learn and communicate in more than one language can have lifelong benefits, both academically and personally. Thompson Elementary Principal Arturo Gonzalez said research shows the advantages of bilingual learning extend well beyond the classroom.

“Medical research has identified that there are benefits to learning more than one language. Everything from decreasing the probability of dementia, to students being able to function and be successful in different settings because they develop the skills of working with different people,” he said.

Caelyn first enrolled in the program as a junior and quickly found herself excelling both in the classroom and in competition. That year she competed in SkillsUSA, a national organization that hosts career and technical education competitions designed to showcase and develop students’ workforce skills. She advanced from regionals to state and ultimately to the national competition.

“She did especially well in Customer Service. She ended up going to Nationals and taking seventh in the entire nation. It’s just unbelievable. She’s just really, really good,” said Rob Anderson, one of Caelyn's PCSC Automotive Instructors.

Her success in SkillsUSA was just the beginning. Over the past two years in the program, Caelyn has received an astonishing 22 job offers and six scholarships. That is a testament not only to her work ethic, but also to the real-world skills students gain at the Skills Center.

“There were moments when I struggled and wondered where I was going next, but there was always this little voice of Mr. G or Mr. Anderson in the back of my head telling me, ‘you can’ or ‘you should,'" Caelyn said.

That encouragement helped lead to an opportunity many aspiring technicians only dream about. Caelyn was offered a job at Cummins, a global leader in diesel engine manufacturing, through its Technician Apprentice Program, making her the youngest female diesel technician ever hired by the company.

Through the TAP program, Caelyn is not only an employee, but gets to take part in a four-year training pathway that includes both hands-on work and classroom learning.

“In my position, I get to work alongside our senior techs working on basically anything, from small generators all the way to fire trucks and super heavy machinery," she said. "I’ve done things as small as oil changes all the way to up to full engine rebuilds on my own.”

By the time she completes the TAP program, Caelyn will be fully certified to work on engines ranging from light-duty vehicles to high-horsepower industrial equipment.

For Caelyn, the journey is just beginning. But her story already reflects the mission of the Pierce County Skills Center: preparing students for high demand, high wage jobs and post-secondary education.

“We were hearing frustrations from teachers, over and over, the same frustrations about behaviors.”

That’s Shirley Anderson, a 22-year veteran teacher from Thompson Elementary. She’s also the Bethel Education Association (BEA) treasurer. She said Bethel’s work around behavior began in earnest in 2018 when the union and administrators began to work together towards potential solutions.

“It was hard at first,” Anderson said. She remembered administrators sitting on one side of the table and teachers on the other, saying, “It was them … and us.”

But as the two sides got into the work, the lines fell away and the team began to gel. They worked side by side to identify the problems, and seek out research-based solutions to create behavior systems at each of our schools.

“Admin and teachers both wanted systems in place,” said Anderson. “Admin were just as frustrated as we were.”

That early work by the district’s Behavior Task Force created behavior teams at each and every school. Their first focus was on Tier 1 behaviors. Those are preventative measures that focus on the bulk of the student population.  

“Tier 1 is supposed to cover 95% of kids,” Anderson said. In a district with more than 21,000 students, that’s a lot of kids impacted right away. The team is now focusing on Tier 2 and Tier 3 behaviors, the more challenging ones that are focused on the other 5% of kids who need extra support.

The work of the Behavior Task Force is making big changes in our district. And that’s making waves that are drawing national attention. Anderson said they recently met with a school district in California over Zoom who was just beginning their work on student behaviors.

“Their district and their union are kind of butting heads over their behavior system, and so they wanted to know what our process was,” she said. 

Traci Overstreet is a veteran special education teacher at Cedarcrest Middle School. She’s also the BEA Vice President. She said the ongoing work and collaboration is critical and deserves to be recognized. In fact, she and the team presented at a conference in Spokane just last year.

“It was standing room only, and people were excited. Administrators want to work with their unions and do this collaboration," she said.

Executive Director Kelley Boynton said the work of the Task Force and the behavior teams at the schools is not only drawing national attention, it’s making a huge impact here at home.

“One of the things that we’ve noticed in several of our schools is, we’ve got a significant trend, which is huge reductions in suspensions. In fact, I was examining nine schools, and together they showed a reduction by half. And some actually had a 75% reduction in suspensions.”

That’s an incredible leap forward, and it’s data like that that has drawn the interest of some national researchers. “We got a call from Johns Hopkins University,” Boynton said. “They’re going to send a research team out to Bethel to learn our story and dig into the data.”

Back at home, School Board President Marcus Young said all this work has been critically important to the success of our students.

“I was here when we had people coming for our public comment who were staff members talking about discipline,” he said. “Just to know how far that collaboration has brought us, and the results that it has brought us, I definitely want to give you all kudos for that.”

Their responsibilities are as varied as the students they serve. Paraeducators provide one-on-one academic support, assist with small groups, help students regulate emotions, supervise common areas, support specialized programs, and collaborate closely with teachers and administrators. They are often the steady presence who notices when a student is struggling and quietly helps them get back on track.

At Cedarcrest Middle School, humanities teacher Elizabeth Strissel sees firsthand how essential that support is.

“Paras are really, in my mind, the unsung heroes of any school district, and especially ours. They just do so much for kids," she said.

That impact shows up in countless small but powerful ways -- a student gaining confidence because someone took extra time to explain a concept, a classroom running more smoothly because additional support allows a teacher to differentiate instruction, or a child feeling understood during a difficult day.

For some, the work extends beyond classroom walls. At Spanaway Middle School, Stan Bardoni has been a familiar and beloved presence for decades, serving as a crossing guard and coach. Generations of students have been greeted by his wave and steady watch at the start and end of each school day.

“The best part of the job is the kids,” Bardoni said. “The kids are wonderful. My grandkids live (out of the area) so these are my grandkids. I’m 71 years old and this is the greatest job I’ve ever had.”

At Challenger High School, paraeducator Loretta Hobson describes her role as one centered on teamwork and flexibility.

“I see my role mostly as assisting,” she said. “Whether that means admin needs help or security needs an extra set of eyes, but mostly in the classroom with students. It’s helping out wherever it’s needed. It’s building relationships with the teachers, the students.”

That willingness to step in wherever and whenever necessary makes paraeducators invaluable members of every school community.

Do you know someone who would make an excellent paraeducator. We’re hosting a hiring event geared towards Special Education Paraeducators, including 1:1 Instructional Paras! The event will be on March 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center.

Those cuts will equal millions of dollars lost for Bethel.

Superintendent Brian Lowney said two items in the proposed budgets are particularly concerning for our district and others.

Funding Reduction: Local Effort Assistance  Local Effort Assistance (LEA) helps property-poor districts “keep up” with property-rich districts.

LEA in Bethel is more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the state that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. With our levies now passed, Bethel is counting on those LEA dollars to fund our budget. A reduction would be a very real concern for our district.

Funding Reduction: Transitional Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten is one way we help preschool students prepare for kindergarten. Cuts here would reduce the number of classes we are able to offer. 

Lowney said the biggest learning gap in our student body is actually our kindergarteners. “We have kids that can read Harry Potter books when they enter kindergarten, and we have kids that don’t know their colors,” he said.

It’s time to speak up Both of these reductions would be a huge loss for our students. 

“This isn’t a question about whether the resources are available; it’s a question about the priorities of the Governor and the Democratic legislative majorities,” State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said in a statement. “Budgets are a statement of values. While the Governor and nearly all legislators committed to supporting our public schools when they ran for office, those values are not reflected in these budget proposals.”

Our School Board was in agreement and encouraged the public to speak their mind.

“Talk to your legislators!” said Bethel School Board Vice President Teresa Cosio. “There is a surplus of money. It’s shared on the state PTA page. They have the funds. Why they’re trying to cut education is ridiculous.”

“We see WEA, we see all the different unions coming out and speaking up for the lack of funding,” said Director Roseanna Camacho. “They’re hearing from us, but they definitely need to hear from community, parents … people that care.”

“There’s a real fight that we all have to play a part in,” said Director Terrance Mayers, his frustration evident. “The first thing they always cut is our education … Enough.”

To find the contact information for the legislators who represent you in Olympia, visit https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.

Our district has two replacement levies on the ballot right now. They are not new taxes and are at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022. 

In short, a levy failure would force the district to make some very tough decisions, as the EP&O Levy alone pays the salaries of more than 400 people in the district. That’s more than 15% of the overall budget.

The easiest way to think about what specifically would be cut in a levy failure is to look at what each levy funds. Without the levies, these are probably areas where you would see budget cuts. And while those are decisions the district would have to weigh in the event of a levy failure, here are the facts:

The Educational Programs & Operations Levy funds:

• Teachers and librarians
• Paraeducators
• Counselors and social workers
• Nurses
• School Resource Officers and campus safety officers
• Custodians
• Bus drivers
• Arts, orchestra, band, and choir programs, including teachers
• Middle and high school athletic programs, including coaches. These programs serve more than 5,000 students each year.
• Special education, multilingual, and early learning staff
• JROTC Programs
• Highly Capable programs
• Community resources supporting our homeless students, 
• Bethel Rec, which serves more than 6,000 students every year
• After-school activity buses

The Technology Capital Levy funds:

• Student iPads and other classroom devices
• iPads are replaced every 3-4 years. We work with resellers to get the best value for the old devices, which puts millions of dollars back into our Tech Levy budget
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Upgraded Wi-Fi and communication systems
• Instructional software and digital curriculum
• Tech support staff

Election Day is February 10. Don’t forget to vote! 

You can find more FAQs, as well as lots of levy information at bethelsd.org/levy 

Ballots have been mailed and Bethel voters are now deciding on two replacement levies: The renewal of the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy and the Technology Capital Levy. These are not new taxes, they are both replacements of expiring measures at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022. 

How much will these levies cost me? The tax rates remain unchanged from what voters approved in 2022. The Educational Programs & Operations Levy will stay at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.

What does the Educational Programs & Operations Levy fund? The EP&O Levy accounts for 15% of our district's budget and funds more than 400 staff positions that the state underfunds or doesn't fund at all, including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, counselors, social workers, nurses, School Resource Officers, campus safety officers, custodians, and bus drivers. It also supports arts and music programs, middle and high school athletic programs, special education staff, multilingual education, early learning programs, JROTC, highly capable programs, resources for homeless students, Bethel Rec, and after-school activity buses.

What does the Technology Capital Levy support? The Technology Capital Levy keeps classroom technology up-to-date and safe for students and staff. It funds student iPads and other classroom devices, cybersecurity and data protection, upgraded Wi-Fi and communication systems, instructional software and digital curriculum, and tech support staff. Every three to four years the district replaces student iPads and resells the old devices, putting millions of dollars back into the Tech Levy budget.

Why do we need local levies if the state funds schools? State funding is based on an outdated funding formula that doesn't cover the actual number of teachers and staff districts need to employ. Since 2019, the percentage of the state's budget dedicated to K-12 education has dropped significantly—from 51.6% in 2019-21 to 43.2% in 2025-27. Local levies are an essential part of the school funding formula in Washington state, which is why 10 Pierce County school districts have EP&O levies on the ballot for renewal right now.

What happens if these levies don't pass? If local levies are not approved, Bethel loses not only the levy funding (which is 15% of the budget) but also more than $12 million annually in Local Effort Assistance (LEA) from the state. LEA is additional state funding that only comes when local levies are approved by voters, making the financial impact of levy failure a very significant event.

Is there a tax break for senior citizens or those with disabilities? Senior citizens and people with disabilities who meet certain income requirements may be exempt from part or all of these local property taxes. To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, please visit https://www.piercecountywa.gov/702/Senior-Citizens-Or-People-with-Disabilit.

Can I vote if I rent my home? Renters have the same voting rights as homeowners. Voters do not need to own their home or apartment, they just need to be registered to vote. 

Can I still register to vote in this election? ​I​f you're not registered to vote yet, you can register online at https://olvr.votewa.gov/OLVR2024/landing.aspx. The deadlines are:

• February 2: Online and by mail registrations must be received.
• February 10: Register to vote in person by 8 p.m. at a County Elections Office.

Do levies require a supermajority to pass? Unlike bonds, which require a 60% supermajority to pass, levies only require a simple majority of 50% + 1 vote in order to pass. From 1932 to 2007, school levies required a 60% supermajority, but the rate reverted back to 50% after a constitutional change that required ⅔ approval in both the House and Senate before going before voters, where it passed by a simple majority.

You can find more information, facts, FAQs and videos of our levies in action at bethelsd.org/levy

A host of Pierce County Sheriff's deputies were on hand at Frontier to present special Citizen Life-Saving Awards to the employees whose quick thinking, teamwork, and calm response helped save a colleague’s life. The recognition followed an incident in December in which a teacher collapsed at school and required immediate medical attention.

When the emergency occurred, staff members immediately stepped in to help. Rick Ingham, Chari Wright, and Angel Pompa rushed to the teacher’s side and began CPR after determining she was not breathing. Kortnie Kanton called 911, while Amy Wingerter and Melissa Pace alerted the front office for additional support. Karen Arteaga quickly retrieved an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which was used alongside continued CPR efforts.

First responders arrived soon after and transported the teacher to the hospital. Hospital staff later confirmed that the actions taken by Frontier employees -- including CPR, use of the AED, and the 911 call -- directly saved the teacher’s life.

Deputy Josh Miller, who is one of our levy-funded School Resource Officers, nominated the FMS team for their heroic actions. Miller teaches CPR to staff members, and it was that knowledge that helped save the teacher’s life.

“You guys all did something to help save this individual’s life," Miller said. "You guys should be proud of yourselves for that, and we’re going to honor you with this award.”

Thursday’s ceremony highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and the powerful impact of staff members who are trained and ready to act when it matters most.

At Graham-Kapowsin High School, head football coach Jeff Logan sees sports as an extension of the classroom. “Athletics are extremely important for teaching life lessons even outside of high school,” he said.

For his coaching staff, success isn’t only measured by wins and losses, but by how prepared students are for adulthood. Practices and games become opportunities to learn accountability, teamwork, and leadership, along with the value of shared experiences that students remember for a lifetime.

Those lessons resonate across sports and schools. At Spanaway Lake High School, girls wrestling coach Hakeem Young spoke about the responsibility that comes with being part of a team. "It helps them learn accountability. Because now it’s not just about them they have to worry about, it’s their team,” he said.

For some students, athletics are also a critical gateway to inclusion and belonging. Unified Sports, coached by Miranda Fickle at GK, brings together general education students and students who receive special services, creating shared experiences that break down barriers. “Those are super important because they support inclusion and just an overall sense of belonging,” she said.

Through Unified Sports, students compete side by side, form friendships, and discover new confidence. Coaches regularly see students step outside their comfort zones, gaining pride not just in their athletic abilities, but in being part of a team where everyone is valued.

These experiences are made possible through the district’s Educational Programs & Operations Levy. State funding does not fully cover extracurricular programs, coaching, or the staffing required to offer comprehensive athletic opportunities. Levy funding helps ensure that students across our district have access to sports that support physical health, mental well-being, teamwork, and leadership development.

Local elections are frequently decided by razor-thin margins, making every single vote critically important. In our own community, we've seen this play out in dramatic fashion.

Just look at the results of some local school board elections from last November. The numbers tell a compelling story about the power of participation. In one race right here in Bethel, less than 800 votes determined the winner. In Franklin Pierce, one school board seat was decided by 500 votes. In Eatonville, a mere 400 votes made the difference. These aren't abstract statistics. It’s proof that your individual vote can genuinely shape the future of education in our community. 

Local levies are an essential part of school funding here in Washington state, filling critical gaps that state funding does not address. State funding is based on an outdated formula that doesn't reflect the actual needs of modern education. All districts in Washington employ more teachers and staff than the formula pays for, which is why we need local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers. This isn't a Bethel-specific problem, it's a statewide reality that affects every school district.

Passing our local levies also allow Bethel to continue receiving Local Effort Assistance. That’s more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the state that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. If local levies are not approved, not only do we lose the levy money, but we lose the LEA money as well. That's a double financial blow that would severely impact our district.

Both the Educational Programs & Operations Levy and Technology Capital Levy are replacements of expiring measures. They are not new taxes. Both levies are on the February 2026 ballot at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022. These rates allow Bethel to continue what has been working so well for our students, while ensuring consistency and predictability for taxpayers.

The power to shape the future of education in our community is in your hands. Every vote counts, so make sure your voice is heard in the February 10 election.

Our Educational Programs & Operations Levy supports over 400 staff members in positions the state underfunds or doesn't fund at all. These include teachers, paraeducators, counselors, social workers, nurses, campus safety officers, and bus drivers. It also fully supports our School Resource Officers. SROs are Pierce County Deputies who are assigned to the district. This isn’t a free service provided by the county. SROs are fully funded by our EP&O Levy.

Superintendent Brian Lowney said SROs are essential to school safety. "Our SROs serve a dual purpose that goes far beyond emergency response. They are building meaningful relationships with our students and staff, fostering trust and strengthening the fabric of our school community. Without the EP&O levy, we simply wouldn't have this vital resource."

The district's location creates some unique safety challenges. All of our schools are far from any major cities, which means longer wait times for emergency help.

"The Bethel School District is not near a city, so having assigned SROs within the district allows for quicker response times to solve problems, rather than having to wait for a deputy that's already busy with other 911 calls,” Deputy Alan Horne, an SRO in Bethel, said. School Resource Officers do more than respond to emergencies. They work to prevent problems before they begin. That includes regular training with staff, evaluations and detailed reviews to assess our schools’ readiness and make adjustments. That way, everyone knows what to do during an emergency.

"Because we use consistent drills and feedback, our schools are some of the best prepared to respond to threats, and in many situations, are able to intervene before people can be hurt," Horne said.

"The School Resource Office position is one of the most important positions in the community,” said Deputy Justin Raplee, another SRO in Bethel. "Education and positive relationships with a struggling youth can completely change the negative direction they were going and support them on a positive path."

Deputy Carly Cappetto agreed. "These relationships give kids someone they feel comfortable turning to, whether for guidance, support, or to report something suspicious."

Election Day for our two replacement levies is February 10, 2026. You can learn more at bethelsd.org/levy. 

At Spanaway Lake High School, school counselor Kelsey Nugent works with students as they make important decisions about their futures, while also helping them manage the everyday realities of adolescence. Counselors support students through academic planning, personal challenges, and post-graduation preparation, ensuring they understand their options and feel confident moving forward. 

“We get to help support students as they’re navigating the challenges of growing and developing through high school,” Nugent said. “We really want to make sure that when they graduate, they’re prepared for the real world, they’re ready to go in whatever pathway they’re choosing, whether that’s the military or straight into the workforce or going to college or a trade school.”

These services are made possible, in part, through our Educational Programs & Operations Levy. State funding does not fully cover the staffing needed to provide comprehensive counseling and social-emotional support across schools. Levy funding helps maintain counselor and social worker positions that are critical to student well-being and success.

That work begins long before students reach high school. At Evergreen Elementary, social worker Chelsea Rambo focuses on helping younger students build the emotional skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Much of that work centers on teaching students to recognize their feelings, understand how those emotions affect behavior, and develop strategies for managing them. 

“A lot of the work we do is to help students regulate emotions,” Rambo said. “We help students learn about different emotions and how they impact them at home and school. And we help provide them with strategies for regulating emotions when they’re feeling really big things.”

These foundational skills are essential for learning. When students are overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to cope, it becomes far more difficult to focus, build relationships, or engage academically. Rambo emphasizes that without these supports, students would face greater challenges.

“If students didn’t have these opportunities to learn these important skills, they would struggle more in the classroom and at home,” she said.

Together, counselors and social workers form a support system that helps students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. 

Bethel Middle School Campus Safety Officer Tua Aiono and MTSS/Student Supervision lead Alberto Rodriguez are two of those people, working side-by-side to make sure every student feels protected, supported, and seen.

For them, safety begins with presence. Their team monitors hallways, classrooms, and common areas, making sure students are where they need to be and stepping in early when something doesn’t look right. Their mindset is focused: everything starts with students being safe.

Both Aiono and Rodriguez emphasize that true safety can’t exist without trust. Students need to know the adults around them are listening, not just enforcing rules. Rodriguez sees that dynamic unfold every day. 

“If these kids don’t trust you and see you as someone who’s just going to get mad and yell and not listen, they won’t be comfortable and they’ll just shut down. Then, if there’s an issue with them, they’ll have a wall built up and won’t ever open up to us,” he said.

That trust transforms their office into a place where students feel safe enough to let their guard down.

“We’ll have students – the toughest kids in the school – will come into our office and just break down,"  Aiono said. "We always tell them this is a safe space and they’re free to talk about whatever they need to talk about.”

Their work also extends into emergency readiness. Both staff members train regularly with School Resource Officers, participate in districtwide drills, and practice lockdown procedures. Rodriguez explained the importance of that preparation clearly.

“In the case anything actually happens, we’re prepared, we’re trained, we know what to do, we know how to follow the policy and make sure everyone is safe.”

Much of this work – along with the systems, staffing, and training that support it – is funded through the district’s Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy. These resources help ensure schools have the personnel and tools needed to keep students safe every day.

For both men, the job is personal. Rodriguez spent eight years as a stay-at-home dad before joining the school. His son attended Bethel Middle, and the schedule and school environment felt right for his family. Aiono came to the role for one reason: the kids. He wants to be someone they can count on.

For our Transportation Department, that promise now comes with new technology that makes bus routes easier and safer. This year, Bethel launched its first districtwide digital navigation system. Each bus driver now has a tablet that gives real-time, turn-by-turn directions.

This upgrade has been in the works for years. Transportation Director John West said the change began when the department saw a clear need for better tools. They wanted to make routes more efficient, improve safety, and support drivers and students with updated technology.

“How did we get here? Quite simple actually, a need was identified to support our students and staff by increasing efficiency through modernization,” he said. “After that you just have all the other stuff.”

That “other stuff” took a lot of work. The district had to install new equipment on 220 buses, connect software systems, protect student information, and train staff on how to use everything.

“This is a tool, and like most tools, calibration is necessary to ensure effectiveness,” West said. “Try planning for a new school year and integrating a brand-new system right before the start. Coordination and attention to detail were a must.”

Now that the system is running, drivers can see directions on their tablets, get rerouted around accidents, and receive updates from dispatch instantly. This is especially helpful for new drivers or substitutes who don’t know the routes yet. The tablets also show the list of students on each run, helping drivers learn names, remember stops, and build stronger connections with students.

One of the most helpful features is the ability to send new assignments straight to drivers while they’re already on the road. If a route has no driver, dispatch can reassign it right away. The bus driver doesn’t have to return to the hub or pick up new printed sheets. This helps buses stay on time and reduces the chances of a route being late or canceled.

The new system also makes our buses safer. Some buses are testing a new system where students can check themselves on and off the bus using the tablet. This gives the Transportation Department real-time information about who is riding the bus.

“It’s a huge step forward,” West said. “We used to have student lists on clipboards, but it didn’t allow any fluid tracking of students who go on and off the bus. So this way we’re able to have real-time updates of who’s on our bus.”

Students enjoy using the new system, and it helps them feel more confident and responsible. West says it’s exciting to watch students learn the process and use it independently.

In recent years, districtwide technology improvements supported by the Technology Capital Levy have helped modernize Bethel’s systems. These investments created the foundation that made it possible to bring new tools like this navigation system to our buses.

Regionalization is an additional percentage of funding that Washington state allocates to some districts but not others. Simply put, the State determines which areas are high-cost areas, and then gives those districts more money each year. The idea is that if the cost of living is higher, the staff needs to be paid more.

The problem with regionalization can be summed up in one word: commuting.

“The fact of the matter is, we’re competing in those job markets with all of the districts around us,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney. “Not every teacher that works in Bethel lives in the Bethel School District.”

Bethel received 0% regionalization until 2023 when we finally were given 6%. 

“As soon as the State did that, they then increased the regionalization of those districts around us.” Lowney said. “We are right back in the same boat we were in.”

With Bethel at 6% and our neighbors now at 12%, Bethel is still at a disadvantage when it comes to hiring. 

“It’s a flawed system,” said Lowney.

Board Director Terrance Mayers Sr. took it a step further and equated regionalization to redlining – a now illegal government practice from the 1930’s where neighborhoods were deprived of resources and opportunities based on residents’ race. “It [regionalization] may be well intentioned, but at the end of the day that’s kind of what it is,” he said. “They say that kids in schools in certain areas should get more money than us.”

Mayers said that doesn’t sit well with him. “Sometimes best efforts aren’t seen through an equity lens. And we do everything we can to try and make up for the difference,” he said.

Another issue with state funding is the outdated funding formula used to decide how much money school districts need in the first place. All districts in Washington need to employ more teachers and staff than the formula currently pays for, which is why we need local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers.

While total dollars invested in K-12 education has increased over the last decade, the K-12 share of investment has declined. Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. In 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%.

Passing our local levies also allows Bethel to continue receiving Local Effort Assistance. That is more than $12 million annually of additional dollars from the State that only comes when local levies are approved by voters. If local levies are not approved, not only do we lose the levy money, but we lose the LEA money as well.

Our two replacement levies will be on the ballot in February. You can learn all about them at bethelsd.org/levy.

While we’re not alone in having a levy on the ballot, the big difference is that we aren’t asking our taxpayers for more money. Both levies are at the same tax rates that voters approved back in 2022.

“Not a penny more,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney.

Many districts will be asking their constituents for an increase in 2026. But Lowney and our School Board know that times are tough for families. But being good stewards isn’t always easy.

“That’s a hard thing to do to continue to make ends meet in this time and age with just a true replacement levy with the same rate.” Lowney said. “We’re making dollars stretch around here.”

The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

These are not new taxes. Both levies are replacements of expiring measures that our community has supported in the past, the Tech Levy since 2014 and the EP&O for decades.

The EP&O Levy alone accounts for more than 15% of our district’s budget. That includes over 400 staff serving in positions that the state underfunds, or doesn’t fund at all. The Technology Capital Levy keeps classroom technology up to date, provides iPads for all students, funds cybersecurity, infrastructure, and much more.

Election Day is February 10, 2026.

Learn more at bethelsd.org/levy

That investment in iPads is now making taxpayers’ dollars go even further. 

Chief Technology Officer Mike Christianson said Apple products are efficient and dependable, plus they also have a high resale value. That’s important when devices are replaced every three to four years.

“So instead of a Chromebook, that after four years the device is either given away, or sold for $5 or even paid to dispose of at times, we’re receiving about a third of the value of the original purchase price.”

With 21,000 devices being replaced, that means millions of dollars are being brought back into the district, stretching those Tech Levy dollars as far as possible.

Those devices are setting students up for success in the future. We all know technology is here to stay, but that doesn’t mean it’s tech time from the start of the school day to the final bell.

“An iPad is not the best tool for learning at every moment of the day. In fact we know screen time is an issue, whether it’s instructional or Youtube, we know that too much screentime is not good for anybody,” Christianson said. “It’s a tool for teachers to enhance instruction, not to replace instruction, not to replace a teacher, not to replace a pencil.”

“Obviously we’re not on our iPads all day,” said Liberty Middle School teacher Melissa Heltsley. “But when we do need them, they are so effective in developing our students into the future leaders we want to see in this world.”

Heltsley was one of the original pilot teachers who test drove those iPads more than a decade ago. “Before that, I remember how challenging it was to plan for research for all of our various topics we cover, and how I had to sign up to use the computer lab, and the kids only got one day, and it was very complex,” she said.

Now with iPads in the classroom, research is instantly at students' fingertips, and they can work on increasingly creative, complex projects.

When students are using their devices, Christianson said we need to ensure students stay safe online. That’s why cybersecurity is another big ticket item the Tech Levy pays for. Even something as simple as two-factor authentication has a cost associated with it. Christianson said with over 3,000 staff and 21,000 students, the free version of a security software isn’t going to cut it. The Tech Levy allows us to ensure the security technology is scalable to our needs, and that it can be managed and support our users well.

Another thing the Tech Levy funds is digital storage. That may seem like a strange item, but it’s also security related. 

At all of our schools and on our buses we have security cameras. The video captured needs to be stored for a certain amount of time. “Our ability to do that relies on how much storage capacity we have in our data center,” said Christianson. “We actually have a petabyte at this point.” A petabyte is one million gigabytes. “It’s a lot, and that is expensive.”

Like the iPads, those servers also need to be replaced every three to four years. “We budget for that out of the levy,” said Christianson. That’s not cheap, and while he said they look for the best deal, often cheap doesn’t mean reliable. “We don’t want it to fail,” he said.

Those data storage centers also get very warm and need to be kept cool. That means chillers and air conditioning systems. “Those need to be purchased, they need to be serviced, and then over the course of a decade, replaced,” said Christianson.

That’s all thanks to the Technology Capital Levy, which will be on the ballot alongside our Educational Programs and Operations Levy on February 10, 2026. Both levies are at the same tax rates that voters approved in 2022.

For the Tech Levy, that means it will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

You can learn more about both levies at bethelsd.org/levy 

Fun Facts:

• 202 square miles is bigger than Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue combined.
• 21,000 is the capacity of the Tacoma Dome.

To make sure the job is done right, more than 3,000 adults show up to work in Bethel every day. These are teachers, coaches, and support staff. It’s a well known fact that state funding in Washington is based on an outdated funding formula. In fact, all districts in Washington need to employ more teachers and staff than the formula pays for, which is why we use local levies to help supplement the appropriate number of staff and teachers.

Here in Bethel that “appropriate number” is 400 more people than the state funding allows. 

These are people working in positions like teachers, coaches, paraeducators, counselors, social workers, School Resource Officers, campus safety officers, custodians, bus drivers, and nurses – just to name a few. 

Superintendent Brian Lowney said that’s why our two replacement levies are considered essential funding here in Bethel.

“Our number of staff would not be 3,000 plus without the support of our Educational Programs and Operations Levy and our Tech Levy,” he said. “Some of these positions it’s funding fully, because they’re not funded at all [by the state]. Many of them are just underfunded. So when we say it’s over 400 positions, it’s well over 400 positions – if you take into account that it really supports every one of the coaches we have in any athletic endeavor, that’s hundreds of people in and of itself. Those just aren’t full time positions.” 

Athletics are huge here in Bethel, with over 5,000 middle and high school students participating each year. We also have Bethel Rec, another levy-funded program that annually provides extracurricular sports for more than 6,000 elementary students. 

The EP&O Levy also funds arts, orchestra, band, and choir programs, as well as supplementing funds for special education, multilingual, and early learning programs, JROTC, Highly Capable programs, and community resources that support students who are in need or experiencing homelessness. It also pays for after-school activity buses.

“The state would say that none of those are ‘basic education’,” said Lowney. “I tell you that every one of our kids deserve those as ‘basic education.’”

That’s why the levies are important funding here in Bethel, so students are supported and have opportunities in a corner of the county that doesn’t have many resources. 

“That’s what our kids deserve,” said Lowney.

Levies are becoming increasingly important in Washington state. Lowney said, “If you took the whole state budget as a pie, the portion of that pie that schools get has actually decreased over the last five years.” 

Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. From 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%. 

To “fix” this problem, the state is increasing the amount of money that school districts can ask for in their levies. In planning for our two levy renewals, Lowney and our School Board decided that just because we could ask for more, didn’t mean that we should.

“We’re not asking the community for the limit of what we could ask them for,” said Lowney. “We’re asking for what we need. And we’re asking for exactly the same rate that they approved in the 2022 election.”

Both of our replacement levies will be on the ballot for the February 10, 2026 Special Election. 

• The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
• The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.

“Even our closest neighbors are suggesting and are running their levies at a higher rate than we’re asking our taxpayers for,” Lowney said. “One of the things we want to do is have consistent tax rates for our voters.”

Learn more about our two replacement levies at bethelsd.org/levy.

Levies are increasingly important in Washington state. Since 2019, the percentage of the state’s budget for K-12 education has gone down significantly. In 2019-21 it was 51.6%. From 2025-27 it will be 43.2%. 

At this week's School Board meeting, Superintendent Brian Lowney talked about how the state is “fixing the problem” by increasing the amount of money that school districts can ask for in their levies. “That’s in lieu of providing the money to us from the state,” he said. “In fact if you took the whole state budget as a pie, that portion of that pie that schools get has actually decreased over the last five years.” 

That pie is why levies are essential funding for school districts. In planning for our two levy renewals, Lowney and our School Board decided that just because we could ask for more, didn’t mean that we should.

“We’re not asking the community for the limit of what we could ask them for,” said Lowney. “We’re asking for what we need. And we’re asking for exactly the same rate that they approved in the 2022 election.”

Both of our replacement levies will be on the ballot for the February 10, 2026 Special Election. 

The tax rate for our Educational Programs and Operations Levy will remain at $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The tax rate for our Technology Levy will remain at $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.

“Even our closest neighbors are suggesting and are running their levies at a higher rate than we’re asking our taxpayers for,” Lowney said. “One of the things we want to do is have consistent tax rates for our voters.”

As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, and someone passes the pie, know that you’re part of a district that is thankful for a community that has continually supported our schools over the years.

You can watch Superintendent Lowney’s full levy presentation to the School Board here, and you can learn more about our two replacement levies at bethelsd.org/levy.

So when you need reliable, up-to-date information about the Bethel School District or any of our schools, there's one golden rule: go straight to the source.

Official Websites Our official district website at bethelsd.org is your home base for everything you need to know. Think of it as your educational headquarters, where all the important stuff lives, from school calendars and lunch menus to board meeting minutes and construction updates.

Also on the district website are links to each of our official school websites where you can find your school's bell schedule, newsletters, and more.

Official Social Media While we may not be posting TikToks of dancing chihuahuas, we do have a few social media accounts you can follow.

• facebook.com/BethelSD
• youtube.com/BethelSchools
• linkedin.com/company/bethel-school-district/

Some of our schools also maintain Facebook accounts, which you can find linked on their websites.

Just remember, we won’t post critical information on social media and hope you find it. If we need to contact you, we will reach out directly via email, text or robocall. Sometimes you’ll get all three! We don’t want you to have to search for information when we can send it directly to you. And that makes this a good point to remind you to keep your contact info updated in ParentVUE!

Contact Us Got a quick question about your child's school? Check in with the school office. The friendly folks behind the desk are information wizards who can help you with everything from attendance questions to volunteer opportunities.

If you want to send an email to your student’s teachers or staff at the school, ParentVUE is the way to go. You can find that link, along with some other great points of contact at bethelsd.org/contact

Other “officials” We can't forget about the Bethel Pride magazine, which is delivered straight to your mailbox six times every year. We recently celebrated five decades of the Bethel Pride, and you’ll find lots of great information in there, including bond project updates, staff and student features, and much more!

We also have The Bethel School District Presents podcast, a weekly show that’s been on the air for four years now. On each episode you’ll get to spend time with teachers, students, staff, and community members to get in depth about the important things going on in our district. Check it out at bethelsd.org/podcast or search for it wherever you listen to podcasts.

And finally, you can subscribe to Peachjar, which will get you access to digital fliers from our district, schools, community organizations and more. That link is on your school's website.

The beauty of having so many “official” options is that you can choose how you want to stay connected. The key is picking the methods that work for your lifestyle and then actually using them. Information is only helpful if it reaches you!

Why official sources matter Remember, if it's not coming from one of our official channels, it might be worth double-checking before you share it with others. Together, we can keep our community well-informed and rumor-free!

And if you come across something online that makes you scratch your head and wonder, "Is this really true?" don't let it keep you up at night. Drop us a line at communications@bethelsd.org and we'll help you separate fact from fiction. We're happy to be your mythbusters!

Across the district, the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy helps keep that creativity alive. The levy supports teachers, materials, and opportunities that make art and music a part of every student’s education. 

“The levy is the backbone supporting these programs,” said Mike Saccomanno, our Director of Teaching & Learning for Arts & Curriculum Integration. “And these programs aren’t extra. They’re really what makes a full, rich, well-rounded education.”

In Bethel, every student takes music and art. From kindergarten classrooms filled with watercolor palettes to high school stages alive with performance, the arts help students connect, collaborate, and express themselves in ways that reach far beyond a grade or report card.

“The research is pretty clear about the multitude of benefits students receive through participation in these music and arts programs,” Saccomanno said.

He says one of the most powerful parts of arts education is the way it creates connection. 

“That sense of belonging we’re all striving for with all of our social-emotional programs is really embodied in music education,” he said. “There’s a term in music education you hear a lot – it’s called ensemble. It’s bringing a group of people together – unique voices, unique talents – and together creating something they can’t create alone.”

That sense of unity strengthens academics, too. Students who study the arts often perform better in other subjects because creativity and critical thinking overlap. 

“Music is a math,” Saccomanno explained. “You look at a time signature and it’s just a fraction, rhythms are just subdivisions of a beat, looking at a musical score is equivalent to looking at a scientific graph or data, a lot of the singing is in different languages.”

For many students, those skills lead to college scholarships or future careers in creative fields. For others, the arts simply spark a lifelong appreciation for expression and teamwork.

Each year, our schools host concerts, exhibitions, and festivals that showcase student talent and welcome families and neighbors to share in the celebration. 

“Our schools are just alive with these programs throughout the year and they’re open to the community,” Saccomanno said. “That’s what we do – we create art to share with others.”

The skills students build at Bethel Virtual Academy go far beyond academics. Students are learning lessons that will last a lifetime, like how to manage their time, advocate for themselves, and take ownership of their education.

BVA is Bethel's very own K-12 online program, offering a unique path for students who thrive in independent learning environments. Taught entirely by Bethel teachers, BVA is tuition-free and open to all families. 

School schedules are adaptable, allowing students to balance their education with sports, jobs, travel, or health needs. Some attend BVA full time, while others split their days between online and in-person classes at their neighborhood schools. 

“We have kids who are part time with us and kids who are full time with us, and it really sets them up for success with any of our secondary schools,” said math teacher Megan Buchanan.

Buchanan describes BVA as a place built for students who don’t necessarily fit a more traditional school model.

“We are not a one-size-fits all education anymore, so BVA brings those opportunities in for students to be able to have the ability to adapt their education to their learning,” she said.

BVA works to build strong relationships with students and families. Staff members work alongside them to foster self-directed learning, create individualized learning plans, and help students advocate for themselves. That commitment to personal connection and flexibility defines the school’s culture and helps students discover how they learn best.

Buchanan said some of her favorite students are the ones who challenge her most. 

“I love the tough kids,” she said.  They make you challenge yourself as a teacher. And that’s kind of what BVA was built for.”

BVA students benefit from a range of supports and opportunities, including an advisory program that starts in sixth grade and continues through graduation. The school also offers a Technology Bootcamp for new students and courses in Digital Wellness, designed to help students manage screen time and maintain balance in their lives.

Despite being virtual, community is a big part of the BVA experience. Students can join clubs, participate in sports and music programs, and stay connected to their peers across the district.

Both the Educational Programs and Operations Levy and the Technology Capital Levy will be up for renewal in 2026, pending Board approval. 

Superintendent Brian Lowney said these would be true replacement levies. That means, they will both be at the same tax rate voters approved last time.

• The EP&O Levy rate is $2.17 per $1,000 of assessed value.
• The Technology Capital Levy is $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Even though the district could collect up to $2.50 per $1,000, Lowney said keeping tax rates consistent for our community was a priority.

“We know what our district needs and we’re not asking for more than we need,” said Lowney. “Times are hard for folks. We understand that.”

Both levies are critical funding for our district and fund hundreds of salaries for positions that the state underfunds, or doesn’t pay for at all. The EP&O also funds activities, athletics and the arts. 

Lowney said those three things can be the reason some kids decide to show up to school each day.

“I believe that kids that have a strong connection to their school is the number one indicator about whether kids are successful or not,” he said.

Whether that reason is a classroom teacher, football practice, the school play, or an afterschool program, the levy supports all of them.

The Board will meet again in November to officially consider putting the recommendations on the ballot. If approved, Election Day would be February 10, 2026.

Keep up with the latest at bethelsd.org/levy

Executive Director of Operations Paul Marquardt emphasized the district’s commitment to completing the projects on time and within the overall bond budget. “This is a huge celebration,” he said. “The massive inflation we’ve had, the massive set backs and supply chain issues that we had — for our overall bond plan to be on schedule, on target, is huge.”

More than a decade ago, Angie volunteered regularly at her kids’ schools, helping out wherever she could. Eventually, someone asked her a question that changed everything, "Are you getting paid yet?"

The annual audit review had a trifecta of good audit outcomes: no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, no material noncompliance, and an unmodified opinion. Joanne Klein, Director of Accounting and Purchasing, summed it up perfectly when she told the Board, "At the end of the day it was a good clean audit."

This clean audit reflects the hard work and attention to detail from our Business Office and demonstrates strong fiscal management across the district.

Following the audit report, Chief Financial Officer Christine Donnelly provided the Board with our October 1, 2025 enrollment numbers. As you know, student FTE drives our state apportionment revenue, so these numbers directly impact our funding and budget.

While many districts have experienced enrollment declines since COVID (resulting in reduced funding) Bethel has maintained steady enrollment. This stability has been essential as we navigate the same financial pressures affecting districts everywhere. Donnelly noted that while kindergarten enrollment was lower this year, we saw an increase in secondary enrollment. The overall picture shows modest growth. Superintendent Brian Lowney was cautiously optimistic and called it a "preliminarily slight increase."

You can learn more about both of these topics by watching the full Board meeting here.

School finances in uncertain times

Thanks to forward thinking and conservative budgeting, our district has been able to weather these uncertain times, even as inflation and rising costs strained budgets across the state.

“What truly sets Bethel apart is how we’ve managed these challenges,” said Chief Financial Officer Christine Donnelly. “While other districts have faced serious setbacks, we’ve avoided those pitfalls by planning ahead and making responsible choices. Thanks to our careful budgeting and the hard work of our staff and leaders, we’ve been able to stay focused on what matters most – supporting our students, staff, and schools.”

Where our money comes from

The bulk of the district’s revenue comes from three primary sources:

• 58% from state apportionment
• 31% from local, state and federal support 
• 11% from our local Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy that has been renewed by voters every four years for decades. Thank you, voters!

Why levies matter

Our EP&O levy isn’t unique to Bethel. Levies are a normal form of school funding in Washington state. In fact, over 100 districts will have EP&O levies on the ballot for renewal next year. Bethel will have renewals of both our EP&O Levy and our Technology Capital Projects Levy on the ballot in 2026, pending School Board approval.

By law, Bethel is permitted to collect more than we do for the EP&O levy. Though we’re one of the top 15 largest school districts in Washington, there are 100 districts that actually collect more than we do for their EP&O levies!

For us, levies are not just helpful, they're essential funding.

“Because the state doesn’t fully fund education, renewing these two levies is critical for Bethel,” said Donnelly. “Together, they provide about 11% of our budget, helping us fund classroom teachers, support staff, and programs that give students the opportunities and support they need to succeed. Levy dollars also help keep our schools safe, well-maintained, and ready for learning.”

They also give us the ability to adapt.

“Most importantly, levies give us the flexibility to respond to rising costs and changing needs, ensuring that our students continue to get the best education possible,” Donnelly said. “Thank you to our community for supporting Bethel’s levies over the years, you’ve made a huge difference for our students.”

Challenges all districts face

Bethel isn’t immune to the broader issues affecting public education. “Across the state, school districts are all facing similar challenges, said Donnelly. “The cost of running schools has gone up significantly with inflation, but state funding hasn’t kept pace. At the same time, schools are competing for great teachers and staff, which pushes salaries higher than what the state provides funding for.”

Bethel has fared better than some districts because its student enrollment has stayed steady, but that doesn’t mean we’re coasting. Financial pressures are very real.

“Many districts have also seen student enrollment decline since COVID, which means less funding for them. Here in Bethel, our enrollment has stayed steady, which has helped—but we’re still navigating the same financial pressures that all districts are working through.”

The future isn’t without challenges, but our leadership remains committed to transparency, responsibility, and long-term planning.

“We know there are still financial pressures ahead,” said Donnelly. “But we’re confident that by working together and staying proactive, we can continue to keep Bethel strong.”

When it comes to emotional safety, staff are always working to build relationships with students to help support them, and to remove barriers to their education. This is a job for all staff, including our counselors and social workers.

Counselors and social workers help students in a variety of ways, from referrals for anxiety, depression, and mental health issues, as well as anything that gets in the way of a student's education, including family and friend dynamics, and connecting students and families with community resources.

Catherine Kimball is a social worker from Graham-Kapowsin High School. She told the Board that those are all things many students need, which is why we have counselors and social workers in every school in the district.

“We had social workers prior to the pandemic, which was really good and very proactive,” she said. “And we found from the pandemic how important social workers in our schools were.”

Because the state doesn’t fully fund enough counselors and social workers for the number of students we have, our Educational Programs and Operations Levy helps support these vital positions. And even then, it’s still not enough. 

Kimball is the only social worker at GKHS, which has a student population of over 2,100. There are six counselors at the school but Kimball said while their jobs have some overlap, they are different. School Board Vice President Marcus Young voiced his concerns about that.

“If a kid is struggling mentally, how do we expect them to sit in a classroom and really be able to retain and take in what's being taught?” he said. “And we have one person for 2,100 students trying to passionately give everything they have for every student.” 

Board member Roseanna Camacho agreed and called out the State’s funding model as being “wholly inadequate.” She went on to praise the work being done by staff, but also called out one of the bigger issues all school districts are facing.

“We have so many programs and systems in place, but one of the hardest things about dealing with violence in schools is the randomness of it. It’s the fact that we can’t predict it. We don’t know where it’s going to come from,” she said.

Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Jodi Greyeyes said that’s why it’s so important for staff to build those relationships with students and help foster a sense of belonging. So when students see something that concerns them, they’ll have a trusted adult to talk to.

“That feeling of connection helps,” she said. “It just helps students thrive. We know it lights up parts of our brains neurologically and so we need that connection with others. That's really been a focus area.”

That sense of belonging is key, and Greyeyes said there is a lot of other work being done as well to foster that, including instructional materials for staff and curriculum for students. 

Additionally, Kimball said last year all of our 9th graders were trained in Teen Mental Health First Aid. “What that does is it teaches students how to help themselves and how to help others. How to identify signs and symptoms of mental health crises or the onset of a mental health issue or struggle that might be going on,” she said.

You can watch video of the entire Study Session at https://bethelsd.diligent.community/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=558 

Physical safety includes the measures we have in place in our schools to keep students safe. It also includes systems and staff whose job it is to protect, patrol and prevent incidents from happening.

Executive Director of Operations Paul Marquardt said our campus safety staff and School Resource Officers (SROs) work hard to build relationships with students, so that when they see something concerning, they’ll say something to a trusted adult.

“Our kids are some of the people that really make sure that we’re keeping each other safe in our buildings,” he said. “Oftentimes they're the ones that are reporting, making sure that we know about things, or their families are. And so those relationships we have with those families and those kids are so critical.”

When it comes to physical security measures, there’s a lot of technology at work, including our camera entry systems and other security cameras across the district. SROs and campus safety staff are able to monitor situations using more than 1,000 cameras around the district.

Thanks to our voters, money from the 2019 bond was used to update our camera systems a few years ago. Board Vice President Marcus Young said that’s something that needs to be continually upgraded to keep up with new advances in technology.

“We can’t stop everything before it happens,” he said. “I do want to make sure that we are putting money into things that will expedite responses – put our SROs in the best situation when they’re coming into a situation blind.”

Security cameras are good tools, but Director of Security Bryan Streleski said it all comes back to building those relationships with students. 

“It’s about our relationships with our kids, with our staff, with our community to make sure we stay safe,” he said. “We can put cameras in place, but it comes down to, are people willing to come talk to us?” 

School Resource Officers are one piece of the safety and security puzzle that is funded by our Educational Programs and Operations Levy. As Pierce County Deputies, they help with law enforcement and crime prevention, but also play a critical role in safety education. They train with our staff and students during lockdown drills, and they debrief with administrators after incidents happen, so we can continue to get better as a team.

By staying connected and staying vigilant, we can work together to ensure our students have the safest schools possible. Board President Terrance Mayers Sr. summed that idea up best, “I speak to teachers, I speak to community, and I know the heart of the people that are sitting across from me and next to me and I know they're doing their absolute best to make sure that our kids have a safe place.”

You can watch video of the entire Study Session here.

The ceremony featured a joint color guard from our JROTC programs, as well as a performance by the SLHS Music Company.

That starts in high school … but it doesn’t end there.

Here in Bethel, we’re proud that more than 90% of our students earn a high school diploma. That’s a big deal. 

But here’s the hard truth: just graduating high school isn’t enough anymore. Many students finish high school, but don’t take the next step – whether that’s learning a trade, going to college, joining the military, or starting an apprenticeship. And that’s where the real challenge starts.

Recently, in a deeply generous gesture, Mrs. Jarvis approached the District with an offer: to donate this one-acre property, located directly next to Graham Elementary, to the district.

How were iPads chosen? Back in 2013, before the Technology Levy went before voters, our Technology team conducted a pilot at two schools, trying out a number of different devices that were under consideration. Chief Technology Officer Mike Christianson said Chromebooks, laptops, and tablets were all given a trial run. “We did extensive pilots and got feedback from all of our users and overwhelmingly the Apple iPad was picked,” he said.

Mike said one reason was that Apple had the biggest educational ecosystem at the time. He also said the iPads were a good size and easy to use for all students.

So once the Technology Capital Levy was approved by voters in 2014, it was time to buy a few iPads. 

About 20,000 of them.

One for each student.

Technology is ever evolving, and that’s why it won’t surprise you to know that the iPads purchased for students in 2014 aren’t still in use here in Bethel.

“Those get swapped out all at once, every 3-4 years,” Mike said.

He said the swap is done by grade, so all grade levels are using the same version of devices.

Swapping in the new devices for the old is a huge undertaking. All of the elementary schools are done at the same time, usually during the summer, which means there are 10,000 new devices coming in, and 10,000 old devices going out. 

Dealing with 20,000 ipads all at once is something Mike’s team has perfected over the years. “Right now we can reset all elementary iPads in three days. It used to take us three days per elementary,” he said.

What happens to the old iPads? Those old iPads still have a life ahead of them, just not here in Bethel. Mike’s team works with resellers to get the best value for the old devices. That makes every tax dollar stretch even further.

“We’ve added millions of dollars back into our Tech Levy budget funds to replace devices and keep the overall budget on track,” Mike said. 

But without good infrastructure, those iPads wouldn’t be very useful. The Technology Capital Levy also pays for our internet and wireless (WiFi) systems, our data center and servers, hardware, software, mobile hotspots, and the critically important, internet security.

Alongside that, money from the Technology Capital Levy also supports some staff positions, including tech support and some of our Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs). 

Next year, both our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O)* Levy and our Technology Capital Levy will be up for renewal. These levies are on a four year cycle and are critical funding for our district. Voters have renewed the EP&O Levy every four years for decades, and they’ve renewed the Technology Capital Levy every four years since it was first put before voters in 2014. Pending School Board approval, both of these levies are expected to be on the ballot in 2026.

*The EP&O Levy basically pays for everything the state doesn’t fully fund when it comes to basic education. The state’s funding model has been outdated for some time, and all districts require more money than the state provides to support students. About 98% of our EP&O Levy pays for salaries and benefits for positions the state underfunds.

The Hannigans have been working closely with Bethel for some time, helping our schools design and strengthen social-emotional and behavioral systems that put students first. This summer, they once again met with school and department behavior teams for a full day of collaboration and training.

Bethel ​​is the only school district in Pierce County to receive this honor.

Led by coach Ryan Pearson, a retired U.S. Air Force officer turned educator, the SLHS robotics program has quietly grown into something remarkable. With a shoestring budget, limited resources, and a small but dedicated group of students, the team has spent years competing against schools with massive programs, often coming up short – but never giving up.

Those students – who recently finished their freshman year at Spanaway Lake High School – are the first full cohort to move through our district’s Dual Language program from kindergarten to high school. Along the way, they’ve gained more than just reading, writing, and speaking skills in two languages. They’ve also built cultural connections and opened doors to future careers and opportunities.

That’s a quote from Superintendent Brian Lowney during the inaugural Coffee with the Superintendent event. This first gathering was geared towards staff, but now Lowney is expanding the invitation to the entire community.

That community is the Cambridge Program, which is an internationally recognized college preparatory track that’s become a transformative experience for students seeking academic rigor and global opportunity.

As a reminder, our EP&O Levy makes up 11% of our district’s budget. It helps pay for critical things like safety and security, special education programs, and extra transportation costs – items the state does not fully fund.

A new curriculum was needed because our current Elementary ELA curriculum was discontinued. 

Bland spent the first three decades of his career building custom Harley-Davidsons, but these days his passion is shaping something else entirely: young minds.

This year, the school is piloting the Youth and Government program, a YMCA initiative that gives teens hands-on experience in the legislative process, allowing them to draft bills, debate pressing issues, and see how laws are created.

For students who thrive in a smaller, more personalized environment, Challenger can provide an alternative path to success. Academic counselor Alison Von Stein, who has been at the school for more than 15 years, plays a key role in helping students in all facets of their academic journey.

That’s exactly what our Unified Sports program aims to do.