KSD Wants More Security in Schools

(Kennewick, WA) -- Kennewick School District wants to put more security in its schools by hiring 21 new officers starting next year. Kennewick's plan is to have three new school resource officers in Chinook, Desert Hills and Horse Heaven Hills middle schools. It will also place a limited commission officer in all 17 elementary school and one at Legacy and Phoenix alternative high schools.

It's In Voters Hands

But first, voters have to pass a levy in a special election on February 14th. It asks voters to pass a three-year, nearly 74-million-dollar levy to fund health and safety programs, instructional support, special education support and advance placement programs, student learning and staffing and athletics and extracurricular activities.

According to the Kennewick School District Website:

2024

$23,000,000

($1.73 est. tax rate)

2025

$23,850,000

($1.68 est. tax rate)

2026

$24,700,000

($1.63 est. tax rate)

Health & Safety - $5.2 million

Middle & High School Resource Officers (SROs)
NEW: Add 3 Additional Middle School SROs
NEW: Add Elementary Safety Officers
Security Staff
Nurses
Psychologists
Drug & Alcohol Prevention
Crosswalk Safety

Student Learning & Staffing - $14.7 million

Graduation Success Coordinators
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
Special Education Support
Professional Development & Training
Dual Language
Librarians
Substitute Teachers

Instructional Support - $27.6 million

Secretaries
Paraeducators
Classified Substitutes
Curriculum

Operations & Maintenance - $4.5 million

Custodians
Grounds & Maintenance Workers
Transportation

Athletics & Activities - $3.9 million

Extracurricular Activities and Athletics
Coaches
Advisors

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Gallery Credit: Joni Sweet