CPPS Welcomes Students Back For An Exceptional First Day Of School - 08/25/26

The hallways, classrooms and playgrounds of College Place Public Schools were once again filled with students Tuesday as CPPS kicked off the 2026-27 school year with plenty of enthusiasm, energy and new faces.

First-day attendance came in above district projections, adding to a strong start as students returned to classrooms across the district.

Each school put its own stamp on the first day, creating opportunities for students to reconnect, build relationships and begin making the new school year their own.  At Davis Elementary, Dragons returned to newly constructed playgrounds featuring new play equipment and play surfaces. The project was completed over the summer, and students wasted little time putting the new spaces to use.

At Sager Middle School, Raiders reconnected with classmates and staff in their Dens, spending time building connections and preparing for a successful year. Later in the day, students came together for an all-school assembly that put Sager school spirit on full display.

At College Place High School, Hawks kicked off the morning with a spirited all-school assembly, bringing students and staff together and setting an energetic tone for the first day.

“There is just something special about the first day of school,” said CPPS Superintendent Jim Fry. “You see kids reconnecting with friends, teachers welcoming students at their doors and families trusting us with their kids for another year. Seeing so many students here on Day 1, including so many new faces, made it even more exciting. It was just a great day to have our kids back in our schools, connecting with one another and ready to learn and grow.”

Tuesday’s successful opening was the culmination of months of work behind the scenes. District and school administrators worked throughout the summer alongside teachers, office staff, custodians, maintenance and grounds crews, technology staff, transportation, food services and others to hire and welcome new employees, build schedules, prepare classrooms and facilities, complete summer projects and work through the countless details that come with opening a new school year.

“Starting a school year is a little like getting an airplane off the ground,” Fry said. “There are a lot of moving parts, and it takes a lot of people working together to make it happen. I am incredibly thankful for our district and school administrators and our entire staff who put in the work this summer to make sure we were ready to welcome students back. Now comes the best part: having our kids here.”

College Place Public Schools Charts A Course For 2026-207 With Balanced Budget And Continued Investment In Students (Photo) - 07/28/26

At its July 28 meeting, the College Place Public Schools Board of Directors unanimously adopted the district's 2026-27 operating budget, approving a financial plan that reflects both fiscal discipline and a continued commitment to investing in students.

At a time when many school districts across Washington continue to wrestle with declining enrollment, budget reductions, and financial uncertainty, College Place Public Schools once again demonstrated that careful planning, conservative budgeting, and transparent financial practices can position a district for long-term success.

The adopted General Fund budget totals approximately $31.3 million, with roughly 78 percent of expenditures dedicated to staff salaries and benefits, ensuring that resources remain focused on the people who have the greatest impact on students each day. The remaining funds support classroom materials, transportation, technology, utilities, instructional supplies, nutrition services, extracurricular activities and athletics, and other operational costs that keep schools running effectively.

Perhaps most notably, district leaders anticipate operating on a break-even budget, meaning the district does not expect to draw upon its reserves to fund day-to-day operations. The balanced spending plan allows the district to continue maintaining favorable adult-to-student ratios, preserve student programs, and sustain significant investments in student mental health and physical health services that help keep students healthy, engaged, and in school.

The budget also reflects the district's continued emphasis on conservative financial planning. District officials noted that budgets are intentionally developed with realistic revenue estimates while planning for unforeseen expenses, reducing the likelihood of mid-year cuts to student programs or staffing.

"We continue to focus our spending on where it matters the most, in the classroom and in services that directly impact our children," said Board President Eva Brown. "Every budget decision begins with the same question: How does this improve opportunities for students?"

That philosophy has become increasingly evident over the past several years. 

While remaining fiscally responsible, College Place Public Schools has simultaneously experienced measurable improvements across many of the district's most important indicators of success. Student attendance has increased dramatically, student wellness services have expanded, academic achievement continues to improve, on-time graduation rates remain strong, and discipline incidents and suspensions have declined substantially. Those improvements reflect a deliberate strategy of investing resources where research shows they have the greatest impact: in classrooms, student support services, and proactive interventions.

The district's financial strategy also emphasizes maximizing every public dollar received. 

"We have the responsibility, especially in hard economic times, to be good stewards of public funds," said Superintendent Jim Fry. "The district continues to leverage the funds that we receive to go out and seek other grant funds to make the most of the dollars that we have." 

That approach has allowed College Place Public Schools to supplement local and state funding through competitive grants and partnerships while reducing the burden on local taxpayers. Revenue sources include state apportionment, voter-approved levy funding, state and federal special program grants, and locally secured grants and partnerships. District leaders noted that enrollment growth, responsible budgeting, and aggressive pursuit of outside funding continue to strengthen the district's financial position.

The newly adopted budget also positions the district to continue important capital investments and improvements to district facilities, while maintaining the financial flexibility necessary to respond to future needs.

As our nation continues to face difficult financial times, College Place Public Schools enters the 2026-27 school year with a balanced budget, stable financial outlook, and a continued focus on ensuring every taxpayer dollar produces meaningful results for students.