South Kitsap, like many other school districts nationwide, has set a new policy that limits immigration enforcement in schools.

The move was made to reinforce that the district supports all students and families. The policy goes against an executive order made by the Trump Administration against illegal immigrants.

“There are executive orders at the federal level, and we have been informed by OSPI that, as of now, the laws have not changed,” SKSD superintendent Tim Winter said at the school board meeting Feb. 12. ”We’re not taking a stance for or against anything. We are simply saying that we support the students and families in our community, and I think that’s what’s important.”

The meeting also highlighted National Career and Technical Education Month. Sara Hatfield, CTE director for SKSD, shared that the district offers 86 CTE high school courses, in addition to programs at Explorer Academy, Discovery High School, and three middle schools. Hatfield pointed out that the district is focused on preparing students for careers, citing graduation rates for CTE students. “The on-time graduation rate for students in CTE was 95.9 percent,” she said.

Several students spoke about CTE. Helena Nuqui, the battalion commanding officer of SK High School’s NJROTC, shared how the program helped her develop leadership skills and opened opportunities for her, including regional recognition. Nuqui plans to attend St. Martin’s University in Lacey on an academic scholarship and later commission as an officer in the Air Force.

Grace Smith, a senior and vice president of DECA, spoke about the growth she’s experienced in communication and leadership. “I used to be scared to communicate, especially with adults,” she said, “but DECA has really helped me with my confidence.” Smith plans to attend Washington State University to become a teacher.

RJ Woodward, a junior, discussed his involvement in ROTC, woodshop and childhood development, and how Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America has allowed him to engage with his community and travel nationally. “FCCLA has afforded me the opportunity to network in ways I wouldn’t naturally have been able to,” Woodward said.

In public comments, community members voiced concerns about the effectiveness of school funding. Gina Cole questioned the link between increased spending and the continued decline in eighth-grade math scores. “Washington state is spending nearly $19,000 per student, yet math scores continue to drop,” Cole said.

Holly Cruz, a local volunteer, expressed frustration with the SKSD levy’s focus on athletics rather than addressing academic needs. She also questioned the consistency of safety measures, particularly in light of recent security improvements at the high school.

Meanwhile, Winter highlighted initiatives at Sunnyslope Elementary, where Principal Jamie Del Palacio shared how teachers are using data-driven methods to improve student outcomes. “We’ve broken the year into timeframes, allowing us to focus on essential skills and make our data visual.” She emphasized the importance of using multi-tiered systems of support, ensuring that the majority of students are reached through core instruction.

“One of the key areas we’ve focused on in kindergarten is letter sounds. Our teachers identified it as a ‘do or die’ skill that students must master before moving on to first grade,” Del Palacio said. Teachers conduct assessments each cycle, tracking student progress and adjusting strategies to provide targeted interventions when needed.

Del Palacio shared an example from fifth-grade math, where teachers identified fraction addition and subtraction as required skills. After an initial assessment showed that most students struggled in that area, teachers worked to improve those skills, resulting in significant growth by the end of the cycle. As they move into the next cycle, teachers will continue to monitor students who need support, using strategies like small groups or pullout interventions.

Winter also shared plans to improve accessibility for students with disabilities on playgrounds at an upcoming meeting in Olalla.