April 2026 Newsletter

April 3, 2026   A Message from the Superintendent Dear Yelm Community Schools Families, Thank you for taking the time to read these updates and for remaining engaged in the work we are doing during this very challenging budget situation. Here is the latest update. Board Meeting Update (Thursday, March 26, 2026) At our Board meeting on March 26, 2026, the School Board approved a Reduced Education Program resolution, which allows us to move forward with a Reduction in Force (RIF). A RIF is necessary for several reasons: A multi-million-dollar deficit resulting from lost levy revenue Declining state support for K–12 education State funding has dropped significantly as a share of the overall state budget, from 52% in 2019 to an estimated 42% in the proposed 2026 budgets Reductions in federal funding for targeted special programs Significant increases in materials, supplies, and operating costs Actions Already Taken Eliminated staff hired through contracted agencies Instituted a hiring freeze, with exceptions only for safety, legal, or essential student needs Eliminated overtime and extra hours except in emergencies Stopped out-of-district travel Reduced materials, supplies, and operating budgets Moved qualifying expenditures, including technology subscriptions and hardware, from the General Fund to the Capital Fund for this school year, where allowable Cut C-Team sports at the high school and all middle school sports for the 2026–27 school year Transferred $1.1 million in accumulated Capital Fund interest from 2015 to 2025 to the General Fund Transferred all remaining allowable funds, $7.8 million, from the Capital Fund to the General Fund The School Board approved the Reduced Education Plan Resolution, which allows us to move forward with a Reduction in Force (RIF) Next Steps Binding Conditions Quarterly meeting with OSPI and the ESD 113 will be on April 16. We will continue to work with OSPI and ESD 113 to identify additional, legally permissible reductions and revenue strategies to reduce the projected 2026–27 deficit. We will continue to evaluate staffing needs for 2026-27 as we finalize enrollment projections.  Budget Forecast If we make no additional cuts and everything else stays the same, we would end the 2026–27 school year with an estimated $1.5 million in our ending fund balance. Board Policy 6022 requires us to maintain a 5% reserve, which is about $4.8 million. To meet that policy requirement, we would need to reduce spending by an additional $3.3 million. How We Will Keep You Informed I will continue to provide regular updates (every two weeks while Binding Conditions remain in effect) and share information on key decisions, meetings, agendas, and public hearings through the district website and email alerts. I know these updates can be difficult to read, and the uncertainty can feel stressful for students, families, and staff. Please know that we are making decisions with great care, always keeping our students, our staff, and the long-term stability of the district in mind. We truly appreciate your patience, your questions, and your continued support of our students. For questions, please contact your principal or supervisor for school-level matters, or the district office for district-level support. Sincerely, Chris Woods Superintendent, Yelm Community Schools .... Share Your Voice: YCS Family Belonging Survey At Yelm Community Schools, it is important that all families feel safe, seen, and valued. To make that a reality, we need to hear from you. We invite you to take our Family Belonging Survey between March 30 and April 30. Your anonymous feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can grow to better support your family. New this year: We’ve made it easier for families with students at multiple schools! You no longer need to take multiple surveys. You can now complete a section for each campus where you have a student enrolled—all within one single, streamlined form. Take the Survey in English: Click Here Take the Survey in Spanish: Click Here Paper copies are also available in your school’s front office. We value your feedback and appreciate your help in making our schools a place where every family belongs.   YHS ASB and Art Club Present the 3rd Annual Yelm Art Walk Join us for an evening to celebrate our students and the arts! Visual Art gallery walk in the YHS Commons. Performance Art on stage in the PAC Craft Workshops & activities led by students Student Art Collection booths Food Trucks outside for concessions April 17, 2026 - 4:30-7:30 p.m. YHS Commons and Performing Arts Center   Yelm Community Schools has proudly joined the Statewide Attendance Challenge! We are teaming up with school districts across Washington State and the nation to tackle chronic absenteeism and support student success. Chronic Absenteeism is missing 10% of the days a student is enrolled. Missed learning results in lower student achievement.   Download the ParentSquare App! Yelm Community Schools now uses ParentSquare as our primary platform for school communication. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved.   Families Using Transportation All transportation notifications of delays and cancellations for student riders will be sent exclusively through My Ride K-12, or by using the link below.  View the Daily Bus Cancelations  April 6-10 - Spring Break April 16 - Board Meeting at McKenna Elementary April 23 - Board Study Session at the District Office May 14 - Board Meeting at Fort Stevens Elementary May 25 - No School - Memorial Day May 28 - Board Meeting at the District Office June 2 - Last Day of Preschool June 4 - District Awards Night in the YHS PAC June 7 - YHS Graduation June 10 - Last Day of School - Half Day  View the 2025-26 Calendar View the 2026-27 Calendar  Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Doyla Buckingham, 360-458-1900 Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124 107 1st Street N, PO Box 476 | Yelm, WA 98597 p: 360-458-1900 | f: 360-458-6178

Friday, Apr 03 2026

March YCS Newsletter

District Newsletter Future-Ready Students, Community-Strong Schools March 6, 2026   A Message from the Superintendent Dear Yelm Community Schools Families, Thank you for taking the time to read these updates and for staying engaged in the work we are doing during this very difficult budget challenge. I want to provide a clear update following our most recent meetings and outline our next steps. Binding Conditions Meeting Update (Wednesday, February 18, 2026) On Wednesday, February 18, we met with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Educational Service District 113 (ESD 113) for our regularly scheduled Binding Conditions meeting. OSPI and ESD 113 recommended that we transfer all legally allowable funds from our Capital Fund to our General Fund and urged us to continue identifying additional reductions to address the multi-million dollar deficit projected for 2026–27 due to the loss of levy funds. They expressed support for the reductions we have implemented so far and, based on our progress, decided to keep us under Binding Conditions rather than moving us to a higher level of supervision at this time, Financial Oversight. That is encouraging, but it does not change the reality that many difficult decisions still lie ahead. Board Meeting Update (Thursday, February 26, 2026) At our February 26 meeting, I shared with the Board of Directors an update on allowable transfers from our Capital Fund to our General Fund, based on ongoing meetings with ESD 113 and OSPI. There are two qualifying reasons we can transfer the funds, based on the 2025 School District Accounting Manual: Whether the transfer resolution is included in the resolution to adopt the budget or if it is a separate, independent board resolution, a copy must be sent to OSPI to approve the transfer. Apportionment, redirected by board resolution, may be transferred back into the General Fund for its original intended purpose, in accordance with the same requirements which were met to initially authorize the transfer. Actions Already Taken Eliminated staff hired through contracted agencies. Instituted a hiring freeze (with exceptions only for safety, legal, or essential student needs). Curtailed overtime and extra hours except for emergencies. Stopped out-of-district travel. Reduced materials, supplies, and operating budgets. Moved qualifying expenditures (technology subscriptions and hardware) from the General Fund to the Capital Fund for this school year, where allowable. Cut C-Team sports at the high school and all middle school sports for the 2026-27 school year. Transferred $1.1 million in accumulated Capital Fund interest (2015–2025) to the General Fund. This allowable transfer will help reduce the projected deficit for the current school year (previously estimated between -$1.5M and -$4.0M). Next Steps We Are Pursuing At our March 12, 2026, Board meeting, we will present a resolution to transfer all legally allowable funds from the Capital Fund to the General Fund, as recommended by OSPI and ESD 113.  Washington law (RCW 28A.150.270 and WAC 392-121-445) authorizes such transfers. The Board’s transfer resolution would need to be submitted to OSPI for approval, as required by law. At our Board meeting on March 12, 2026, we will review the procedures and timeline for a potential Reduction in Force (RIF). We will present the financial data, legal requirements, and proposed timeline at the meeting so the Board can make an informed decision. We must consider taking this step for several reasons: A multi-million dollar deficit resulting from lost levy revenue. Declining state support for K–12 education, state funding has fallen significantly as a share of the state budget (from 52% in 2019 to an estimated 42% in the proposed 2026 budgets). Reductions in federal funding for targeted special programs. We will continue to work with OSPI and ESD 113 to identify additional, legally permissible reductions and revenue strategies to reduce the projected 2026–27 deficit. What Remains the Same Binding Conditions remain in effect. Current contracts and collective bargaining agreements will continue to be honored and are not automatically cancelled by the Binding Conditions process. We remain committed to protecting programs and positions where it is feasible and responsible to do so. How We’ll Keep You Informed I will continue to send updates regularly (every two weeks while Binding Conditions remain in effect) and whenever there are material decisions to share. Meeting materials, agendas, and notices will be posted on the district website, and we will send district email alerts for important actions and public hearings. For school-level questions, please contact your principal or supervisor. For district-level questions, contact the district office. I know these updates are difficult to read and that the uncertainty is stressful for students, families, and staff. Please know our decisions are guided by our responsibility to our students, staff, and the long-term health of the district. We appreciate your patience, your questions, and your continued focus on our students. If you have immediate questions, please contact your building principal or the district office. Sincerely, Chris Woods Superintendent, Yelm Community Schools ANNOUNCEMENTS 2026-27 Student Calendar We’re pleased to share that the Board of Directors has officially approved the 2026–27 Student Calendar, providing families and staff with the framework needed to plan for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your continued partnership as we plan ahead for a successful school year! View the 2026/27 Calendar   Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences! Online conference scheduling via Skyward Family Access opens March 16 at 8 a.m. and closes March 31 at midnight. Spring parent-teacher conferences are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress and goals. We invite all families to schedule their conference times online. Please log in to Skyward Family Access to select your preferred time slots for each of your students during this window. Early scheduling is recommended.   Back-to-School Forms and Skyward Family Access Hello YCS Families, Ensuring the safety, well-being, and accurate communication for every student is our top priority. To do this effectively, it is absolutely essential that our records are up-to-date and that all families have acknowledged the district's most current policies and procedures. This information is collected through the Back-to-School Form tile in your Skyward Family Access account. Current Status: We Need Your Help! Despite several reminders, we currently have about a 60% completion rate district-wide. We need to close this gap as quickly as possible to ensure we have emergency contacts and vital student information for every child Important Update Regarding Family Access To help us reach 100% completion elements of Family Access have been deactivated with the exception of the attendance module until the Back-to School forms are completed. Effective Immediately, any family that has not yet completed and submitted the Back-to-School Form will see temporary changes to their Skyward Family Access permissions. Disabled Access: All Family Access tiles (e.g., Grades, Schedules) have been temporarily disabled with the exception of the: The Back-to-School Form tile (so you can complete it). The Attendance tiles (so you can still submit absences). How to Restore Full Access Once you complete, submit and the school office professional approves receipt of the Back-to-School Form, all of your Skyward Family Access tiles will be immediately re-enabled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this temporary restriction may cause. However, obtaining this critical, required information is vital for the safety and smooth operation of our schools. Please take a few minutes today to complete this essential step! Below is a screenshot from Family Access of the Back-to-School Form and what tiles will look like while they are disabled. To access the forms, simply click on the tile and follow the directions.   Statewide Attendance Challenge! Yelm Community Schools has proudly joined the Statewide Attendance Challenge! We are teaming up with school districts across Washington State and the nation to tackle chronic absenteeism and support student success. Missed learning results in lower student achievement. What is Chronic Absenteeism? A student is considered chronically absent if they miss just 10% of the school year—that's 18 or more days when enrolled for the full year. This can significantly impact a student's learning and progress. Our Goal: We are committed to cutting our current 40% chronic absentee rate in half by SY2028-29. This school year (2025-26), our target is to reduce that rate to 34%. We cannot do this without you! Regular attendance sets students up for a fantastic future.   Find Your Future 2026 - Calling All Students & Families! Students ages 13–18 and their families are invited to attend Find Your Future, an expanded career exploration event connecting youth with local industry professionals, colleges, and community resources. New this year: career sessions, parent sessions, and an expanded community resource fair designed for families to explore together. Open to students in grades 8–12 and their parents/guardians across Thurston County. Space is limited — register early! Register here  Come explore careers, plan your next steps, and discover what’s possible! Saturday, March 21 - Timberline High School - 10 am - 1 pm   REMINDERS Download the ParentSquare App! Yelm Community Schools now uses ParentSquare as our primary platform for school communication. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved.   DATES AND EVENTS Saturday, March 14 - Dollars for Scholars Annual Dinner and Auction - 5 pm - 9 pm at the Lake Lawrence Community Club March 16 - Family Access Conference Scheduling Opens Monday, March 23 - Kinder and New Student Registration Opens for 2026/27 Friday, March 27 - Half Day Early Release March 31 - Family Access Conference Scheduling Closes April 1 - Out-of-District Transfer Window Opens April 1, 2 & 3 - Half Days - Spring Conferences April 6-10 - Spring Break April 22 - Out-of-District Transfer Window Closes   View the 2025-26 Calendar View the Daily Bus Cancelations   DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS Hiring Event Our students need you! Meet with drivers and staff to learn about becoming a driver or sub custodian. Paid CDL training is provided. Join our team! April 2 2:00-4:00 pm Bus Barn 202 NW Stevens Ave   Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Doyla Buckingham, 360-458-1900 Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124 107 1st Street N, PO Box 476 | Yelm, WA 98597 p: 360-458-1900 | f: 360-458-6178

Saturday, Mar 07 2026

YCS February Newsletter

February 6, 2026   A Message from the Superintendent Dear Yelm Community Schools families, Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we navigate challenging times. Below is a short, clear update on our Binding Conditions status, recent budget decisions, and what to expect next. Quick summary  We remain under Binding Conditions with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Educational Service District 113 (ESD 113). Our next meeting with ESD 113 and OSPI is scheduled for February 18, 2026. On January 15, we met with OSPI and ESD 113; because of the progress we’ve made implementing cost reductions (and the additional steps below), they have decided not to convene a Financial Oversight Committee in February. That is encouraging, but it does not change the fact that we remain in Binding Conditions and must continue careful stewardship of district resources. Actions already taken Eliminated non-essential contracted staff Instituted a hiring freeze (exceptions only for safety/legal/essential student needs) Curtailed overtime and extra hours except for emergencies Stopped out-of-district travel Reduced materials, supplies, and operating budgets Moved approximately $340,000 of qualifying expenditures (technology subscriptions and hardware) from the General Fund to the Capital Fund for this school year. While these costs are usually paid from the General Fund, using qualifying Capital Fund resources this year is a prudent step given our financial position. The Board approved a plan to offer only high school varsity and JV sports for the 2026–27 school year. We will not offer C-Team athletics at the high school and will not offer middle school sports for 2026–27. This decision is expected to save the district more than $400,000. We know this creates hardship for students, families, and staff, and we do not take the decision lightly. Additional budget steps to be taken At the Board meeting on February 12, we will present a resolution to transfer $1.1 million from our Capital Fund to our General Fund. These are allowable transfers of accumulated interest revenue (2015–2025) held in the Capital Fund. While Capital Fund balances are typically used for facilities and capital projects, this one-time transfer will help reduce the projected deficit range (previously estimated between –$1.5M and –$4.0M). We will continue to explore every legal and responsible option to use available revenue and control costs to minimize program and position reductions. What remains the same Current contracts and collective bargaining agreements remain in effect; nothing is automatically cancelled by the Binding Conditions process. We will keep working with OSPI, ESD 113, and the Board to protect programs and positions where possible. Communication cadence & how to stay informed I will continue to send updates every two weeks on Binding Conditions and financial decisions. We will post meeting materials and notices on the district website and send district email alerts. If public hearings or opportunities for community input are scheduled, we will share how staff and families can participate. For school-level questions, please contact your principal or supervisor. For district-level questions, contact the district office. Washington state bills to watch Click on the Bill Tracker to learn more about bills in this session. Bills we are tracking include: HB 2147 — Funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs SB 6125 — Enrollment stabilization funding HB 2116 — Updating school enrichment funding formulas HB 2636 — Review of public education performance, operations, and funding Thank you for everything you do for our students and for the district. Please reach out if you have questions or need clarification. Sincerely,  Chris Woods Superintendent, Yelm Community Schools 2026-27 Intra-District Student Transfers Yelm Community Schools is pleased to open the Intra-District transfer request window from February 4 through February 25. Families may submit their completed form by: Emailing it to debbie_stillwell@ycs.wednet.edu Delivering it to the District Office at 107 First Street N Or completing the electronic form through ParentSquare Requests must be submitted by February 25. Any request received after the deadline will not be considered for placement until September 2026. Transportation: In all cases where the District approves a transfer, the student's parent/guardian shall be solely responsible for transportation to and from school. View the transfer webpage and access a transfer form.   Download the ParentSquare App! Yelm Community Schools now uses ParentSquare as our primary platform for school communication. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved.   Families Using Transportation All transportation notifications of delays and cancellations for student riders will be sent exclusively through My Ride K-12, or by using the link below.   View the Daily Bus Cancelations   Monday, Feb 16 - No School - Presidents Day Monday, March 23 - Kinder and New Student Registration Opens for 2026/27 Friday, March 27 - Half Day Early Release April 1, 2 & 3 - Half Days - Spring Conferences April 6-10 - Spring Break   View the 2025-26 Calendar   Guest readers read "The Hat" to Tracy Cummings' and Jessica Kerby's kinders. Southworth staff putting the "I" in kind!   Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Doyla Buckingham, 360-458-1900 Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124 107 1st Street N, PO Box 476 | Yelm, WA 98597 p: 360-458-1900 | f: 360-458-6178

Saturday, Feb 07 2026

YCS January Newsletter

January 9, 2026   A Message from the Superintendent Dear Yelm Community Schools Families, Below is a short, clear update about our district finances and next steps. We recently met with OSPI and ESD 113 to review our cash projections. Their analysis shows we could face a year-end shortfall unless spending reductions continue. OSPI’s current estimate ranges from -$1.5 million to -$4.0 million if additional actions aren’t taken. These are projections; we expect clearer numbers after January and February financial reports. What we’ve already done to reduce costs Eliminated non-essential contracted staff. Instituted a hiring freeze (exceptions only for safety, legal, or essential student needs). Curtailed overtime and extra hours except in emergencies. Stopped out-of-district travel. Reduced materials, supplies, and operating budgets. These steps are already helping, but more reductions will be needed in 2026. Next steps & timeline OSPI will convene a Financial Oversight Committee in early to mid-February 2026. At least three business days before that meeting, we must provide OSPI: Any new cost-reduction actions we’ve taken; A three-year cash balance projection that reflects those actions; and An updated budget timeline for 2026–27. Some savings may not appear in our reports until January or February because of billing and notice cycles. We plan to share more detailed information in February–March 2026. The oversight process may include public meetings or hearings; we will announce dates, times, and how families can participate as soon as they are set. What this could mean for students and families Current contracts remain in effect — nothing is canceled automatically by the oversight process. We are working with the School Board, OSPI, and ESD 113 to protect programs and positions where possible. However, we must plan for potential additional reductions in 2026 that could affect athletics, activities, services, and staffing. How to stay informed & get involved We will post updates and meeting notices on the district website and send email alerts. If a public hearing is scheduled, we’ll share how families can offer input. For school-level questions, contact your child’s principal. For district questions, contact the district office. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work through this together. We will continue to communicate clearly and promptly. Sincerely, Chris M. Woods Superintendent, Yelm Community Schools   Download the ParentSquare App! Yelm Community Schools now uses ParentSquare as our primary platform for school communication. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved.   Families Using Transportation All transportation notifictions of delays and cancellations for student irders will be sent exclusively through My Ride K-12, or by using the link below. View the Daily Bus Cancelations   No School - Monday, January 19, 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Friday, January 23, 2026 Half Day - Early Release - End of first semester   Southworth's Traci Schultz Honored Students and staff join Traci Schultz for interviews as she prepares for the AWSP Washington Assistant Principal of the Year feature. Kinders Practice Fine Motor Skills Megan Wolfe's kinders practice fine motor skills by building a Christmas tree and presents with Bristle Blocks. YHS Choir Holiday Performance   Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Doyla Buckingham, 360-458-1900 Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124 107 1st Street N, PO Box 476 | Yelm, WA 98597 p: 360-458-1900 | f: 360-458-6178

Saturday, Jan 10 2026