The Anacortes School District recently adopted a new 5-year Strategic Plan, which sets measurable and achievable goals for the next five years. The strategic plan is anchored by four pillars: Quality Instruction & Curriculum, Partnerships, Social-Emotional Learning, and Stewardship, with Equity at the core of all district work.  

“The new Strategic Plan is built on the quality work done by the community, staff, and students during the last update in 2017,” said Jennie Beltramini, board president. “We have enhanced the plan to ensure that the goals are measurable and meet the shifting needs of our students, staff, and families.” 

The Anacortes School Board also voted unanimously to approve the district’s 2022-23 budget on Thursday, August 25, 2022. The $45 million budget reflects an investment in student academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and high quality staff. Nearly 88 percent of the district’s budget supports staff salaries and benefits. 

The 2022-23 budget also utilizes nearly $2 million in district reserves, due to declining enrollment, increased costs across all departments, and loss of one-time federal COVID funding.  

“While this budget reflects a significant investment in our students and our staff, we will have some difficult decisions to make this year as we plan proactively for future budgets,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “We continue to be committed to rigorous learning for all students, and will continue to make efficient use of our resources.” 

This year’s budget includes continued support of teaching and learning; arts, activities, and  athletics; school safety improvements; facility and utility maintenance; and high quality transportation, food, and technology services.  

“We look forward to engaging with staff and community as we plan ahead to proactively re-balance our budget for future years, maintaining a focus on our strategic plan,” said Beltramini.

Questions? Contact Superintendent Justin Irish, jirish@asd103.org or 360-503-1211

Families will begin receiving their annual back to school packets from the district next week. Included in this packet is: 

• A welcome letter from Superintendent Irish 
• A one-pager student calendar 
• Student art calendar 
• Free & Reduced Program Paperwork 
• ASD Student Handbook 

Each household in the district will receive one packet. If you did not receive one, or would like to purchase an additional calendar, please contact the Superintendent’s Office: (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org 

Updated date 

Please note that there is a typo on the printed calendars; Friday, September 23rd is a K-5 Half Day for students. 

Free & Reduced Meals Update 

We are returning to paid meals this year, after federal funding provided the last 2 years of meals throughout the pandemic. 

Paid pricing is as follows:

• Breakfast K-5 - $1.65
• Breakfast 6-12 - $1.90
• Lunch K-5 - $3.00
• Lunch 6-12 - $3.25

We encourage families who may qualify for free & reduced meals to submit an application. Even if your child does not eat school meals, you may also qualify for other financial incentives. Washington State is also waiving all reduced price meals copays, meaning meals will be free for all families qualifying for reduced price meals. Please complete an application, and return it to any school: 

https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/28-Food-and-Nutrition 

If you have any questions, contact the Child Nutrition Office at 360-503-1377

Elementary Placement 

Teacher placement emails, and any remaining building placement emails will go out on Friday, August 26 in the afternoon. If you don’t receive your email, or have questions, please contact our Teaching & Learning Department at (360) 503-1212 or aberard@asd103.org 

Elementary Meet & Greets 

All elementary students and their families are welcome to attend Meet & Greets at their school. Fidalgo, Mt. Erie, and Island View Elementaries will host Meet & Greets on Thursday, September 1 from 3:30 - 5:30. Stop in any time, look around the school, and meet your teacher and principal. 

Middle School & High School Important Dates

• August 30: AHS 9th Grade Family Night
• August 31: AHS Seahawk Startup Makeup

Transportation Registration 

We are launching a new transportation system this year to better serve our families. If you have not yet registered your child(ren) for transportation this year, please do so: If your student(s) will need district transportation, please login to Skyward Family Access to submit a Transportation Request Form for each student.

Chromebook Readiness

Students in grades 4-12 should take a few moments before the new school year to charge and power on their Chromebooks to make sure they have everything they need to start the year right! If you have any issues with your Chromebook, or you are missing accessories (power cords, stylus, etc) please contact Technology Services ASAP so we can get it taken care of!

You can reach Technology Services at 360-503-1220 or by stopping by the local Technology Services office in your school.

Students are expected to bring their charged devices with them to school on Sept 6!

For other technology updates, including new password requirements, check out our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/25-Technology-Services

School Supplies 

A list of school supplies is posted on our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/130-School-Supplies.html

*2nd grade families - some items were inadvertently left off the list posted earlier. Please review the current list for updated items. If you experience any hardship in purchasing items, please reach out to your building principal. 

Reach out if you have any questions: information@asd103.org, (360) 503-1200, or https://www.asd103.org/District/126-contact-us.html

The Anacortes School District is launching a new transportation system this year. This new system will help us better serve our families. If your student(s) will need district transportation, please login to Skyward Family Access to submit a Transportation Request Form for each student. Each student rider must have a Transportation Request Form completed. Please complete this form as soon as possible. If you don’t yet know your elementary building assignment, please complete this as soon as you receive your building assignment (on or around August 26th). 

If your student needs bus transportation, please do the following (if not, no action is required):

• Navigate to the Skyward Family Access login screen

• Enter your login credentials. Your login ID is typically firstname.lastname. If you do not know your credentials, please select “Forgot your Login/Password?” An account/password reset link will be sent to your email address on file with the district.

• Once in, you will be at the Family Access home screen where you can access all students in your family by selecting the dropdown arrow at the top left.

• To access the form, please navigate to the “Online Forms” on the left side of the screen

• Select Step 1) 2022-2023 Transportation Request

• Fill out the form and click “Complete Step 1”

• Complete Step 2) by clicking “Submit 2022-2023 Transportation Request”

We look forward to seeing you in September! 

Screenshot instructions are available here as well. 

Questions? Contact the Transportation Office: (360) 503-1155 or kgarrison@asd103.org 

Walks in the forestlands, trips to Rosario Beach and Deception Pass and dance moves with Fidalgo Danceworks are all a part of the Impact summer learning program that is taking place throughout July. 

“We are so excited to be bringing back field trips, which were on hold during the pandemic,” said Assistant Superintendent Becky Clifford.

The goal of Impact is to support students in academic and social-emotional learning through the summer to keep them engaged and ready to return to school. Each day consists of core instruction (reading and math) connected to enrichment activities like movement or nature talks at Washington Park. The district is partnering with Fidalgo Danceworks, Denise Crowe from the Samish Nation, Joy Kacoroski from Deception Pass State Park, and Friends of the Forest.

The 120 kindergarten through fifth grade students have attended five days a week, three hours each day. In collaboration with teachers, the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) facilitators referred students to the program. Incoming kindergarten students were referred by ASD early learning partners through a similar process, based on WaKids data. 

The program includes 12 classroom teachers, 12 paraeducators, one principal, one nurse and one office assistant. Impact Principal Kelly Cox has been leading the team. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to support students and staff this summer,” she said.

Funding for Impact is provided by Anacortes Schools Foundation and an anonymous donor. In addition to staffing and curriculum, it covers transportation and lunches. For more information, please email rclifford@asd103.org.

Our community bulletin board is updated throughout the summer with community events, summer camps, and more. Check it out here: https://www.smore.com/76mc8

If you would like to have an item included, please contact Torhil Ramsay in the Superintendent's Office: 360-503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org 

The latest issue of the Anacortes Pride, the district's quarterly newsletter, is out now. The Pride is mailed to every Anacortes household. Check out this issue for graduation highlights, senior profiles, district retirees, and much more! 

If you would like additional copies, or have any questions or feedback, please contact the Superintendent's Office at information@asd103.org

The Anacortes School District has launched a new website (www.asd103.org). The new platform was selected by a committee of district staff and parents. The new site offers better compliance with ADA requirements and is easier for staff to update and maintain. The new site has also been designed to be more compatible with mobile devices. 

We will continue to update and refine content over the summer. Please reach out if you find errors, or typos, or have any questions: information@asd103.org We welcome your feedback on the new site! 

Questions? Contact the Superintendent’s Office: information@asd103.org

Each summer, our principals assign all newly enrolled elementary students into one of our three elementary schools. Anacortes is a non-boundary district, so students are assigned to an elementary school based on a number of factors, including class size, sibling placement, parent preference, and transportation needs. 

Students who attended an ASD elementary school this past school year will attend that same school next year, unless you have requested a transfer. 

Placement timelines: 

• June 30: First round of building placement emails will be sent for anyone with a completed registration by June 22. 

• August 5: Second round of building placement emails will be sent for anyone with a completed registration by August 1. 

• August 26: Teacher placement emails will be sent to all families; any final building placement emails will be sent as well. 

We encourage families to register early to help with our placement assignment process. Student registration paperwork can be found here: https://anacortessd.cyberschool.com/files/user/2/file/Online_Enrollment_Parent_Instructions.pdf

Elementary school supplies are the same across all schools. The list of supplies can be found here: https://anacortessd.cyberschool.com/District/130-School-Supplies.html

Questions and appeals? Contact Anne Berard in the Teaching & Learning Department: aberard@asd103.org or (360) 503-1212

Heather Paddock has been hired as the district’s next Teaching & Learning Director, effective July 1, 2022. Paddock currently serves as a principal with Everett Public Schools. She has previously served as assistant principal, instructional coach, and middle school teacher. Paddock will take over the position from Angie Miller, who has chosen to return to a classroom teacher position for the next school year.  

“Heather’s background will make her an excellent leader for our Teaching & Learning Department,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “With her experiences in the classroom, instructional coaching, and serving as principal, she deeply understands the throughline between the classroom and the district office. She also has the strong ability to connect with others, building positive relationships with students, staff, families, and community members.” 

The Teaching & Learning Director is responsible for overseeing the district’s curriculum implementation and adoption, professional development programs for teachers, and ensuring student achievement across all grade levels. 

“I am excited to get to know the Anacortes School District and community,” said Paddock. “My experience in a wide range of schools has provided me the perspective to understand the unique needs of students, staff, and families. I approach this role with a love of teaching and learning for both students and staff.” 

Questions? Superintendent Justin Irish (360) 503-1211 or jirish@asd103.org 

The Anacortes School District is proactively reviewing its budget projections for future years and making adjustments based on student and staff needs in light of future federal funding reductions and a drop in student enrollment. For the 2022-23 projected annual budget, the Anacortes School District would face a $2.4 million shortfall. However, because of its proactive and conservative budgeting process and strong community support for passing school levies, the district will not need major budgetary adjustments for the 2022-23 school year. The district’s projected budget for 2022-23 and is currently estimated at $45,104,207.

The district anticipates continued declining enrollment rates in future years, due to various factors including declining birth rates and housing availability. The district’s student enrollment has dropped by almost 250 students over the past two school years due to COVID. School districts across the country have seen similar declining enrollment rates due to the pandemic. The district received federal and state COVID relief funding for the 2020-21 and 2021-2022 school years to support enrollment reductions and the costs associated with its response to COVID. Those funds will be exhausted during this next budget cycle.  

Next school year’s deficit will be made up through attrition, staff reassignment, continued use of COVID relief funds, while also using some of the district’s reserve fund. 

“We are working creatively to make budget adjustments, with our primary focus on serving students in the classroom. We are not reducing staff at this time. Some staff are being reassigned to other positions, and we will consider not filling other positions as they become vacant,” said Irish. 

The district has made the following reductions for the 2022-23 school year: 

• Did not fill the Executive Director of Technology, Food, and Transportation. These duties have been reassigned to the Executive Director of Finance and Operations.
• Reduced deans at Island View Elementary and Anacortes High School
• Reduced materials, supplies, and operating expenditures   
• Eliminated all positions funded by COVID-related grants 

COVID relief funds will end in 2022-2023, so the district is making long-term plans to ensure continued effective fiscal management. The district will continue to invest in long-term, proactive budget planning and filter all decisions through the district’s strategic five-year plan and annual operating plan.

“We commit to being transparent and taking a strategic approach to our budgeting process for next year to ensure high academic, social, and emotional student success,” said Irish. “We look forward to engaging stakeholders in our strategic planning and budget processes next year and beyond.” 

The school board will review the draft budget on August 11, 2022, and vote on the final budget on August 25, 2022. 

Questions? Superintendent Justin Irish (360) 503-1211 or jirish@asd103.org