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.

2-Hour Delay Notification- Adverse Weather Routes 

All schools in the Anacortes School District will be on a two-hour delay Thursday, February 6, 2025. Bus routes will follow adverse weather routes. Due to severe winter weather advisory with freezing temperatures tonight, we expect icy conditions in the morning. There will be no out-of-district transportation available, as well as no morning preschool. 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. Updated adverse weather route information will be found on the My Ride K-12 app.

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.

For further information regarding adverse weather, closures, and delays, please visit the following link: 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. 

Adverse Weather Routes Now Available on My Ride K-12 App

Dear Anacortes School District Families,

With winter right around the corner, we want to make sure you are prepared for any weather-related disruptions that may affect school schedules and transportation. The Adverse Weather Routes are now available on the My Ride K-12 app. Please review your student’s stop location and pick-up time, as both may differ from their regular schedule in the event of adverse weather.

What You Need to Do

• Check your student’s bus stop information on the My Ride K-12 app to stay updated on potential changes. Adverse weather conditions may lead to delays or modifications to pick-up and drop-off times and locations.

• Download My Ride K-12: Parents and guardians are encouraged to download the My Ride K-12 app from their preferred app store. The app is available on both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
  My Ride K-12 – Apple App Store (iOS)
  My Ride K-12 – Google Play Store (Android)

• To ensure you receive timely notifications about school closures, delays, or weather-related changes, please:
  - Review your Skyward account to make sure your contact information is up to date. If needed, report any changes to your child’s school.
  - Opt-in to receive text message alerts by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. (If you’ve already opted in, no further action is needed.
  - Follow us on social media at Anacortes School District Facebook for real-time updates.

Important Reminders

• Ensure that your students are dressed appropriately for cold weather. This includes wearing warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and appropriate footwear, as students will be outside for activities such as recess, bus rides, and other outdoor activities.

• If your child is in elementary school, we encourage parents or guardians to meet them at the designated Adverse Weather Routes stop. If your child cannot navigate their way home (no older sibling or neighbor to walk with), they will be returned to school for safe pick-up.

• Timing Changes: Adverse weather may cause pick-up or drop-off times to vary. Please plan for possible delays and ensure your child is dressed appropriately for changing weather conditions.

• If your family has special transportation needs and your student’s transportation is impacted by weather, you will be notified directly with updated stop times or locations.

• For more information about adverse weather closures, delays, or transportation, please visit our Adverse Weather Closures & Delays page. 

If you have any questions regarding transportation or weather-related changes, please contact our transportation team at (360) 503-1155 or email Karen Garrison, Transportation Supervisor at kgarrison@asd103.org or Becky Sitton, Dispatcher at  rsitton@asd103.org.

Thank you for your attention to these updates and encourage you to prepare in advance for any weather-related changes this winter.

Sincerely,

The Anacortes School District Transportation Team

Transition of School Intervention Program to NWESD

The Anacortes School District and Island Health are excited to welcome the Northwest Educational Service District (NWESD) into our partnership to provide high-quality mental health services for middle and high school students. For nearly 15 years, Island Health has partnered with the district to offer free, confidential mental health support to students at Anacortes and Cap Sante High School, and Anacortes Middle School. This award-winning program has helped remove barriers to mental health care by placing Island Health social workers directly in the schools.

The Mental Health School Intervention Program (SIP) has been vital in supporting students facing depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and more. The Island Health Foundation (IHF) has funded the program since its inception, covering part of the cost of school-based social workers.

“It is exciting to see that after 15 years, the innovative SIP model is becoming mainstream and that there are now alternative funding sources for mental health in schools. We are thrilled to strengthen this partnership to support mental health both in our schools and in our clinics. The addition of NWESD enables more community resources to help address a critical need and investment in students’ lives,” said Island Health CEO Elise Cutter.

As more school-based mental health programs emerge and new funding sources become available, we are pleased to announce the transition of these services to NWESD. This shift reflects our continued commitment to student mental health.

"The Island Health Foundation remains committed to funding mental health initiatives in our schools, and we are excited that the innovative SIP model is becoming mainstream and expanding to include NWESD,” said Island Health Foundation Executive Director Marta McClintock.

Over the past three years, NWESD has successfully provided clinical school-based mental health services across the northwest region. During the 2023-24 school year, one of their clinicians served our elementary schools, with matching funds from the Anacortes School Foundation. As part of this transition, NWESD will now support a position for the secondary schools, while Island Health will continue to provide crisis management and zero-barrier services at their clinics.

Under the expanded partnership, NWESD will hire, train, and manage Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) through its licensed Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) to work in the Anacortes School District. This will be primarily funded by a federal grant from the Department of Education, with matching funds from the IHF providing $50,000 per year, per secondary-level social worker until designated funds are depleted.

“We are deeply grateful for our long-standing partnership with Island Health and the IHF, whose support has been invaluable. We are equally excited about expanding this collaboration with NWESD, confident that this transition we will continue to make a significant impact on our students’ lives and invest in their future,” said Dr. Rebecca Clifford, Assistant Superintendent.

In a press conference today, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal proposed a significant increase in funding for Washington public schools in the next state budget, totaling $2.9 billion. This will be the largest budget request submitted to Governor Inslee's office for inclusion in the 2025-27 state budget. It is crucial for the governor and legislature to fund this request to ensure that all students in Washington receive a high-quality education. 

This funding request is to address the current underfunding of K-12 education in Washington and cover essential public education needs. Reykdal emphasized the importance of fully funding special education, providing reliable transportation for all students, and covering the inflationary cost of materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC), which include school utilities, insurance, classroom supplies, technology, maintenance, and more.

Please take a moment to review how the lack of funding has impacted us locally by clicking here.

To watch the full press conference click here.

Key Transportation Updates 

We have important updates about transportation routes and stop locations for the upcoming school year. Please take a moment to check out the changes:

- All routes and stop locations have changed from prior years.
- Some stops have become larger community stops.
- Do not assume that because your student rode a bus last year, they will be on the same route this year. 

Note:  All students receiving special education transportation services have been routed and can expect transportation as communicated on the My K-12 app or by the transportation department.

If you have not completed a transportation request form in Skyward Family Access you must do that immediately so your student can be routed.

1. Log into Skyward Family Access.
   Note: Forgot your login or password? Simply hit “Forgot Login/Password?” and a link will be sent to your email currently on file. If you are still having issues, please email information@asd103.org and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

2. Under other online forms for each of your students find the Transportation Request Form. 

3. In the upper-right-hand corner of the Transportation Request Form, you will see an “Other ID” number that begins with 07. Write that number down, you will need it for the My Ride K-12 app to find your student (see screenshot) in the next step.
   Note: If you need assistance locating your student’s Other ID number call (360) 503-1200.

4. Download the MY Ride K 12 app to access the most up-to-date route information. For more information or instructions on how to download the My Ride K-12 app go to: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/32-Transportation

5. Check your student’s route information to confirm their new bus stop and schedule. If you do not see your student’s route in the My Ride K-12 app by 5:00 pm today, you may need to transport your student to school. 

6. Please inform your students of the change to their route and whether their route will service all three elementary schools so they are aware.
   
   If you find that there is no information available or if the information provided is incorrect, please do not hesitate to call our Transportation Department at (360) 503-1155 or email Rebecca Sitton at rsitton@asd103.org for assistance.
   
   Thank you for your attention to these important updates. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to arrange transportation services for all students.