Walter A. Brodniak, a notable figure in the Anacortes School District, left an indelible mark on the educational landscape. His legacy extends beyond mere administration; it encompasses a passion for nurturing the arts and empowering students through his dedication to fostering learning and cultural enrichment.

As Superintendent of the Anacortes School District, Walter Brodniak played a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience for countless students. His commitment to excellence and dedication to the community were evident throughout his tenure.

In 1977, upon his retirement, the Walter A. Brodniak Cultural Education Award was established to foster growth of the cultural arts in the District. The award is granted to a student, faculty member, administrator, school director, community member, or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to the cultural arts within the Anacortes School District. This prestigious award is bestowed annually during spring to recognize exceptional contributions to the cultural arts within the Anacortes School District during the current academic school year. The recipient’s name will be permanently etched onto a plaque, ensuring its enduring display for future generations to appreciate and honor. Past Recipients of the Brodniak Cultural Education Award can be found on our website. This page will be updated the same day we send the release with the updated info. 

Nominations for this esteemed award are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 25, 2025. A selection committee thoughtfully evaluates the nominations and offers a recommendation to our Superintendent, Dr. Justin Irish. The deserving recipient will be honored at an upcoming School Board Business Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2025, commencing at 6:15 PM in the Anacortes High School Library located at 1600 20th Street, Anacortes. 

The Anacortes School District is now accepting referrals for current students (grades K-8) for Highly Capable Services for the 2025-26 school year. The referral window will be open from Monday, March 10, 2025, to Friday, March 28, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Testing will begin on Monday, April 21, 2025. Family, educators, and community members may refer students using the online referral form below.

All students currently in 2nd and 5th grade are universally screened and considered (with parent permission) for Highly Capable Services by completing the Cognitive Abilities Test Screener (CogAt). If your student is currently in the 2nd or 5th grade, a referral is not necessary. However, if you would like to refer a current 2nd-grade or 5th-grade student, the referral forms are available below. Students who are currently receiving Highly Capable Services do not need to be referred again.

Information about Highly Capable Services

Highly Capable Program Referral Form

For any questions, please email Anne Berard

Anacortes School District Student Printable Calendars Now Available!

The Board-approved student calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years are now live! Stay ahead by marking important dates, breaks, and school events.

2025-26 Calendar: https://www.asd103.org//files/public_files/Students_and_Families/Calendar_2025-26-STUDENT-(1).pdf

2026-27 Calendar: https://www.asd103.org//files/public_files/Students_and_Families/Calendar_2026-27-STUDENT.pdf

Plan ahead and stay connected!

IT'S A SNOW DAY! All Schools in the Anacortes School District will be closed on Thursday, February 6, 2025 due to continued icy and unsafe road conditions. All after-school activities and events are canceled. After initially planning for a two-hour delay, further assessments revealed that the roads, school parking lots, and sidewalks around our schools remain too hazardous for safe travel. We made this decision out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our bus drivers, students, and families. Schedule changes apply districtwide, even if your neighborhood isn't as severely affected. Some areas of the district are experiencing worse weather and driving conditions than others.

We understand that this may cause inconvenience to some families, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause. Our district team will continue to monitor weather conditions for bus routes and surrounding areas early tomorrow to assess conditions. Any updates will be communicated to families and staff as soon as possible. The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority when making weather-related decisions.

Further information regarding Adverse weather, closures and delays:  https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/32-Transportation/Portal/adverse-weather-closuresdelays

SCHOOL BOARD SITE VISIT

The Anacortes School Board Site Visit to Mount Erie Elementary, scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.

UPDATE:

Anacortes School District would like to provide an update to families regarding bus transportation. All buses will be operating on regular routes this afternoon. 

To ensure you are receiving our communications, please review your Skyward account to ensure that your contact information is accurate. If any updates are needed, please report them to your child’s school. To receive notifications about school closures, delays, and transportation updates, text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. If you have already opted in, no further action is needed.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this winter weather season. The safety of our students is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor weather conditions for any further updates.

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Due to icy conditions expected on Tuesday, February 4th, Anacortes School District will be operating on time with Adverse Weather Routes. We encourage families to review these updated routes to ensure the safe and timely transport of students.

What Families Need to Do:

• Check your student’s bus stop information on the My Ride K-12 app to stay updated on any changes to pick-up times and locations. Adverse weather may cause delays or modifications to schedules.
• Download the My Ride K-12 app if you haven’t already. The app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to receive real-time updates:
  • My Ride K-12 – Apple App Store (iOS)
  • My Ride K-12 – Google Play Store (Android)
• Ensure your contact information is up to date by reviewing your Skyward account. If there are any changes, please report them to your child’s school.
• Opt-in for text message alerts by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587 to receive notifications about school closures, delays, and transportation updates. If you’ve already opted in, no further action is needed.

Important Reminders:

• Please dress your students appropriately for cold weather. This includes warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and appropriate footwear, as they will be outside for bus rides and other activities.
• For elementary students: We encourage parents or guardians to meet their children at the designated Adverse Weather Routes stop. If your child is unable to navigate home safely (without an older sibling or neighbor), they will be returned to school for safe pick-up.
• Be aware that pick-up or drop-off times may vary due to adverse weather. Please plan for possible delays.

If your family has special transportation needs and is impacted by these changes, you will be notified directly with updated stop times or locations.

For additional information about adverse weather routes, delays, or closures, please visit our Adverse Weather/Closures webpage. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Transportation Team at (360) 503-1155 or email:

• Karen Garrison, Transportation Supervisor: kgarrison@asd103.org
• Becky Sitton, Dispatcher: rsitton@asd103.org

Anacortes High School Athletic Alerts

Due to the recent snow affecting the northern part of the state, several sports schedules have been impacted, including our own. As a result, all girls and boys basketball games that were scheduled are now cancelled.

Please note the following updates:

• The girls’ basketball team will no longer be traveling to Lynden. Instead, we will be hosting Lynden's girls and boys varsity teams on Wednesday night at Anacortes High School.
• No JV or C-level games will be played against Lynden.
• Girls varsity game will begin at 5:40 PM.
• Boys varsity game will begin at 7:15 PM.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your flexibility as we adjust to the changes. Please stay tuned for any further updates, and thank you for your support!

Dear Anacortes School District Families,

We wanted to inform you of a recent update to the student calendar for February. The "Evening Conferences" scheduled for February 12 have been removed. Please see the corrected schedule below:

• February 10: K-5 Half-Day (Conference Planning)
• February 11: K-5 Half-Day (Afternoon Conferences)
• February 12: K-5 Half-Day (Afternoon Conferences)
• February 13: K-12 Half-Day (Afternoon & Evening Conferences, No Pre-K)
• February 14: K-8 Half-Day (Students Only)
• February 17: No School – Presidents Day  

For your convenience, the updated printable calendar is available here: 2024-25 Student Calendar.

A friendly reminder that the week of February 10 to 14, 2025 is conference week for our K-12 students! Please be sure to mark your calendars and prepare for these important discussions about your child’s progress.

Thank you for your attention to these updates. If you have any questions, please email us at information@asd103.org.   

Sincerely, 

Anacortes School District 

Dear Anacortes School District Community,

I am sharing an update with you on the district’s financial challenges and the steps we must take to ensure the long-term health of our schools. These decisions are not made lightly, and we are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process.

It is important to understand that Anacortes School District is not alone in navigating these financial difficulties. Many districts across Washington State face similar challenges, and this issue is part of a broader trend impacting public education statewide.

Like other districts, we are facing significant financial pressures, including:

• Declining Enrollment: We’ve seen a decrease in enrollment by about one percent annually, which reduces both state and local funding tied to student numbers. A further decline of one percent is expected in the coming years.

• Compensation Levels Exceeding Revenue: Employee contract compensation levels continue to exceed the revenue we receive from the state.

• Rising Costs: Inflation has significantly increased the costs of materials, supplies, and operational necessities, especially insurance premiums and utilities.

• Insufficient State Revenue: State funding has not kept pace with increasing costs, leaving a growing budget gap.

As a result, the district’s fund balance is projected to drop to 1.36% by the end of this school year, significantly below the required minimum of 4%. Over the past three years, we have implemented financial reductions, including a 20% reduction in administrative roles, a 14% reduction in classified staff, and a 3% reduction in teaching positions. These measures have been essential in helping us maintain a balanced budget despite ongoing financial pressures.

Total Reductions: 

• 2022-2023: $900,000

• 2023-2024: $3,200,000

• 2024-2025: $1,300,000

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we anticipate needing to reduce an additional $1.5 to $2 million from the $50 million budget. This challenge is compounded by expected enrollment declines, employee contract costs exceeding state revenue allocations, and potential increases from employee group bargaining in the coming years. 

The projected budget reductions for the next few years are as follows:

• 2025–2026 School Year: A reduction of $1.5 to $2 million, driven by enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.

• 2026–2027 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.

• 2027–2028 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.
  2028–2029 School Year: A reduction of at least $600,000 due to projected enrollment declines and potential employee contract obligations.

To address these challenges, we are committed to a thoughtful and collaborative process. While staffing reductions may be necessary, these discussions will take place internally, in accordance with our labor group process, and with the utmost respect for the confidentiality of personnel matters. We will continue to keep staff, families, and community members informed as we work through these difficult decisions.

While these reductions are challenging and complex, our commitment to providing high-quality education for every student remains steadfast. We are committed to navigating these challenges and securing a sustainable future for our schools.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent 

Dr. Becky Clifford Named Next Superintendent of South Whidbey School District

We are proud to announce that Dr. Becky Clifford, our Assistant Superintendent, has been named the next Superintendent of South Whidbey School District, effective July 1, 2025. While her departure is bittersweet, we celebrate her outstanding contributions to Anacortes and know she will bring the same passion and dedication to her new role.

Reflecting on her time in Anacortes, Dr. Clifford shared: "I am incredibly excited for this new opportunity, but I will deeply miss this community—the students, staff, families, and our amazing partners. Serving Anacortes has been an honor, and while I look forward to my next chapter, we still have important work to accomplish before I leave. Saying goodbye will not be easy."

Dr. Clifford’s leadership has been pivotal in advancing key initiatives, such as enhancing curriculum and instructional practices, expanding social-emotional learning and mental health services, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and overseeing the transformation of our special education services. Her ability to foster collaboration and champion student success has left a lasting impact on our district.

Superintendent Dr. Justin Irish reflected on her time in Anacortes: "Dr. Clifford and I began our journey in Anacortes together, and it has been an incredible experience working alongside her these past several years. Her commitment to students and her collaborative spirit have profoundly shaped our district. While we will miss her leadership, I am excited to see her thrive as she serves the South Whidbey community."

Dr. Clifford will remain in her current role through June 30, 2025, ensuring a smooth transition. Details regarding the process to fill this position will be shared in the coming weeks.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Clifford on this remarkable achievement and wishing her every success in her new role.

If you have any questions please email information@asd103.org. 

Anacortes School District Statement on Recent Student Tragedy

It is with profound sadness that the Anacortes School District confirms the loss of one of our High School students. Our hearts break for the family, friends, classmates, and staff members affected by this tragic event. The Anacortes School District is committed to fostering an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and valued. 

In response to this tragedy, we are taking immediate steps to provide support and resources to all students, staff, and families affected:

1. Grief Counseling and Support Services:  We encourage anyone in need to seek support, and details on how to access these services will be communicated to all students and families.
   
   Mental health professionals were available at the Anacortes High School campus today. Continued support will be available at Anacortes High School on:
   
   Date:  Monday, July 29, and Tuesday, July 30
   Time: 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm
   Location: Anacortes High School 1600 20th Street, check-in at the main office.
    

2. Community Resources: We are collaborating with Island Health to provide comprehensive support to staff and students. A list of these resources is on our website.

As families, your role in helping your students process this loss is crucial. Encourage open conversations, listen to their feelings, and reassure them that it’s normal to grieve. On our website, you’ll find helpful resources specifically designed to assist children in coping with tragedy and grief. These resources offer valuable support during challenging times, helping children process their emotions and find ways to heal.

The Anacortes School District remains committed to the well-being of its students and staff and will continue to work hard to support those affected by this loss. 

Anacortes School District Launches Comprehensive Back-to-School Guide for 2024-2025 School Year

The Anacortes School District is thrilled to announce the release of its all-in-one Back-to-School Guide for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This digital resource provides families with essential information to kick off the school year on a successful note. Click HERE or scan the QR code below.

What you will find in our guide: 

• School Supply Lists: Get organized with grade-specific supply requirements.
• Technology Information: Navigate digital tools, platforms, and device guidelines.
• Bus Routes and Transportation Info: There have been changes to our bus routes for the 2024-2025 school year. Stop times and locations due to the new bell times. If your student rode a bus last school year, please check their route information on the My Ride K-12 app. If you have not yet downloaded the app the instructions are included in the guide! This has replaced the Ride 360 app.
• Student Calendar: Mark important dates, holidays, and events. Download the one-page student calendar now!
• Student Handbook (Coming Soon): Your go-to manual for policies, procedures, and campus information.
• Bell Schedule: For the 2024-2025 school year the bell schedule has been adjusted for Island View Elementary, Fidalgo Elementary, and Mount Erie Elementary. There are no changes to the bell schedules for Whitney Early Childhood Education Center, Anacortes Middle School, Anacortes High School, and Cap Sante High School. Download the easy-to-read bell schedule!
• Daily Class Schedule: Know when and where to be.
• School Meals: The Anacortes School District has several schools that offer free meals (breakfast and lunch).  ALL STUDENTS at Mount Erie Elementary, Fidalgo Elementary, and Cap Sante High School will receive meals at no cost in the school year 2024-2025! Thanks to House Bill 1238 (HB 1238), it mandates that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) provide meals at no cost to students enrolled at elementary schools where 30% or more of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and we now qualify.

  In prior years, the threshold for free or reduced-price meals was 40% or more. 

  Apply for the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program, fund your student's lunch account using MealTIme Online, and more!
• Medication Information: Guidelines and forms for student health.
• Get Involved: Learn about how you can get involved with our schools PTA groups!
• Back-to-School Signs: Capture your first day back at school and share your photos with us! Download a digital Back to School Sign, print it out, snap a photo, and post it on social media using the hashtag #ASDFirstDay. No sign? No problem! We’d still love to see your back-to-school moments. Just tag @Anacortes School District on Facebook so we can enjoy all the cheerful smiles!

“We believe that well-informed families contribute to a thriving educational community,” said Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent of Anacortes School District. “Our Back-to-School Guide empowers parents and students to navigate the academic journey seamlessly.”