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The "Across The Board" newsletter is a recap of the Peninsula School District Board of Directors business meetings, including important updates and news from PSD. For a complete agenda or to watch a recording of the most recent board meeting, visit PSD Board Meeting Information.
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Aviation Academy Coming in 2025!
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Kelsey Parke, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), shared exciting news about the launch of the PSD Aviation Academy. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the academy will provide students with opportunities to explore careers in aviation. Developed in partnership with the Museum of Flight and Tacoma Narrows Airport, the program will offer students access to flight simulators, drones, and real-world aviation training.
In her presentation, Parke emphasized the critical need for skilled professionals in Washington’s aerospace sector.
“This program gives our students the chance to explore high-demand careers right here in Washington, from pilots to aviation mechanics,” said Parke.
The academy will offer students dual credit opportunities, setting them on a path toward further education or direct entry into the aviation industry.
The program is one of only three in the region and highlights the district’s ongoing efforts to expand its CTE offerings and provide students with practical career pathways.
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Painting of Hugh and Janice McMillan Donated to PSD
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The board was honored to accept an oil painting of Hugh and Janice McMillan, generously donated by the Peninsula Schools Education Foundation. The McMillans were integral to the Peninsula School District, with Hugh having served on the Education Foundation Board for over 25 years. The painting, which will be displayed in Evergreen Elementary’s Hugh and Janice McMillan Community Center, was presented by former board member Marcia Harris, who highlighted Hugh’s longstanding commitment to the district and the community. |
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Meet the Student Board Representatives
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Do you know our student representatives? Our dedicated student representatives serve as a direct link between the board and the PSD student body. These students communicate concerns, suggestions, and feedback from their peers, helping to shape the board’s decisions.
Including student reps fosters leadership skills, preparing them for future roles and encouraging civic engagement. This year’s student representatives are;
- Lauren H., Community Transition Program;
- Adam M., Peninsula High School;
- Kate C., Peninsula High School;
- Kaitlyn L., Gig Harbor High School;
- Logan T., Gig Harbor High School; and
- Amelia L., Henderson Bay High School.
We’re excited to see these students lead and represent their schools this year!
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Start of the School Year Report
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John Yellowlees, Chief Academic Officer, and James Cantonwine, Director of Research and Assessment, delivered an update on the 2024-25 school year. Key points included a rise in the district's overall graduation rate to 90.8%, with a focus on continuing improvements in literacy and math across all grade levels. Yellowlees also highlighted the district’s ongoing efforts in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure that all students are supported in reaching their full potential.
Additionally, the district is moving forward with reviewing new math curriculum options and establishing more rigorous pathways to prevent and respond to learning challenges
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Board Votes to Adopt Multiple Policies
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During the meeting, the board approved the following policies:
Board Statement On Policy 5254
"One of the key responsibilities of the school board is the adoption and maintenance of policies. As part of an ongoing effort to update our policy manual, we adopted Policy 5254 Staff Expression, which focuses on balancing staff expression with the district's responsibility to maintain an orderly and effective learning environment.
This policy is not unique to our district. It was introduced in April 2023 and has already been widely adopted by districts across the state, based on guidance from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). It is important to note that the policy does not grant the district additional authority over staff expression, beyond existing legal standards for all public institutions, but rather provides guidance on existing legal responsibilities, and acknowledges that the complexities surrounding social media and public discourse is an area of growing concern across the state and country.
Adopting Policy 5254 also aligns with our district’s focus on digital citizenship, social media responsibility, and the board’s operational protocols. It reflects our commitment to fostering a respectful and productive learning environment for all."
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Superintendent Krestin Bahr expressed excitement about the CTE presentation, noting how quickly the Aviation Academy developed, and the honor of PSD being selected for the program.
She and the board also recognized the hard work of the student representatives. Additionally, Bahr honored our Food Service Workers for National School Lunch Week (Oct. 14-18) and our Transportation Department for National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 21-25).
She shared positive updates on the PHS pool repairs and the success of our Transitional Kindergarten program, highlighting the district’s ongoing progress and achievements.
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The next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Swift Water Elementary School.
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