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News Release
Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information: https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule
Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information: https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule
WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Public Schools has been awarded a $1,066,000 interim federal grant to continue operating its Head Start program for 116 low-income children at the Walla Walla Center for Children and Families through December.
The six-month award is part of the Office of Head Start’s effort to prevent service disruptions during the transition period from July 1 through December 31, while longer-term grant applications are being released.
The district typically receives about $2 million annually in federal Head Start funding. These grants are renewed on a five-year cycle and include an allowable extension period that ensures programs can continue operating while new applications are under review. This year, the district expected a new five-year competitive application to open, but the application was not released. To allow services to continue, a six-month grant was awarded.
District officials say they will continue working closely with the Office of Head Start in the coming months to complete the reapplication process for the next five-year funding cycle.
“We are grateful to receive this critical interim funding, but the timing and communication process with our federal partner has been challenging which has caused unnecessary stress and hardship for the program,” said Director of Fiscal Services Janette Jeffris. “We hope future processes are more predictable so we can better support and communicate with our staff and families.”
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services at no cost to eligible children from ages three to five.
Jeffris said she will continue to advocate that the district receive full funding for the 2026–2027 school year and prepare for the upcoming five-year federal grant cycle. She noted that delays in processing Head Start renewals have been increasingly common nationwide.
“These are our youngest learners, and these programs help ensure they get a strong start in school,” Jeffris said. “We are proud of our early learning programs and remain committed to supporting families through this work.”
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WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Public Schools has been awarded a $1,066,000 interim federal grant to continue operating its Head Start program for 116 low-income children at the Walla Walla Center for Children and Families through December.
The six-month award is part of the Office of Head Start’s effort to prevent service disruptions during the transition period from July 1 through December 31, while longer-term grant applications are being released.
The district typically receives about $2 million annually in federal Head Start funding. These grants are renewed on a five-year cycle and include an allowable extension period that ensures programs can continue operating while new applications are under review. This year, the district expected a new five-year competitive application to open, but the application was not released. To allow services to continue, a six-month grant was awarded.
District officials say they will continue working closely with the Office of Head Start in the coming months to complete the reapplication process for the next five-year funding cycle.
“We are grateful to receive this critical interim funding, but the timing and communication process with our federal partner has been challenging which has caused unnecessary stress and hardship for the program,” said Director of Fiscal Services Janette Jeffris. “We hope future processes are more predictable so we can better support and communicate with our staff and families.”
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services at no cost to eligible children from ages three to five.
Jeffris said she will continue to advocate that the district receive full funding for the 2026–2027 school year and prepare for the upcoming five-year federal grant cycle. She noted that delays in processing Head Start renewals have been increasingly common nationwide.
“These are our youngest learners, and these programs help ensure they get a strong start in school,” Jeffris said. “We are proud of our early learning programs and remain committed to supporting families through this work.”
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WALLA WALLA, WA — Walla Walla Public Schools proudly announces Sergio Hernandez, ambassador for the district's Hispanic Community Leaders Focus Group and longtime district educator, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Southeast Washington Association of School Administrators (SEWASA) Community Leadership Award. Hernandez was recognized during the SEWASA Awards Banquet held June 18 at Meadow Springs Golf Course in Richland.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan presented the award, highlighting Hernandez's extraordinary commitment to education, community engagement, and student success throughout a distinguished 56-year career.
Earlier this school year, Walla Walla Public Schools established the Hispanic Community Leaders Focus Group to strengthen communication and collaboration with Hispanic families. As the group's ambassador, Hernandez has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful dialogue, supporting family engagement efforts, and helping ensure district programs and initiatives reflect the needs and perspectives of the community.
"Sergio's lifelong commitment to education and his unwavering dedication to students and families make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition," said Dr. Gauyan. "We are deeply grateful for his leadership, service, and continued partnership."
Hernandez's impact on Walla Walla Public Schools spans decades. During the 1990s, he served as Director of Multicultural Services, helping launch Garrison Night School and creating a cultural immersion program that provided more than 120 teachers the opportunity to study in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He later returned to support the district's Equity and Dual Language Department before retiring from that position last school year.
Today, Hernandez serves as Executive Director of the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, mentors superintendent interns through Washington State University, and conducts superintendent searches for Northwest Leadership Associates.
His community service includes leadership roles with the Blue Mountain Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees, Walla Walla Partnership for Community Safety, and Walla Walla University Board of Trustees. Hernandez also manages a private scholarship fund that has already helped 14 Walla Walla Valley students pursue higher education.
The SEWASA Community Leadership Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to public education and make a lasting impact on students, families, and communities throughout Southeast Washington.
Walla Walla Public Schools congratulates Sergio Hernandez on this well-deserved honor.
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WALLA WALLA, WA — Walla Walla Public Schools proudly announces Sergio Hernandez, ambassador for the district's Hispanic Community Leaders Focus Group and longtime district educator, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Southeast Washington Association of School Administrators (SEWASA) Community Leadership Award. Hernandez was recognized during the SEWASA Awards Banquet held June 18 at Meadow Springs Golf Course in Richland.
Superintendent Dr. Ben Gauyan presented the award, highlighting Hernandez's extraordinary commitment to education, community engagement, and student success throughout a distinguished 56-year career.
Earlier this school year, Walla Walla Public Schools established the Hispanic Community Leaders Focus Group to strengthen communication and collaboration with Hispanic families. As the group's ambassador, Hernandez has played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful dialogue, supporting family engagement efforts, and helping ensure district programs and initiatives reflect the needs and perspectives of the community.
"Sergio's lifelong commitment to education and his unwavering dedication to students and families make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition," said Dr. Gauyan. "We are deeply grateful for his leadership, service, and continued partnership."
Hernandez's impact on Walla Walla Public Schools spans decades. During the 1990s, he served as Director of Multicultural Services, helping launch Garrison Night School and creating a cultural immersion program that provided more than 120 teachers the opportunity to study in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He later returned to support the district's Equity and Dual Language Department before retiring from that position last school year.
Today, Hernandez serves as Executive Director of the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, mentors superintendent interns through Washington State University, and conducts superintendent searches for Northwest Leadership Associates.
His community service includes leadership roles with the Blue Mountain Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees, Walla Walla Partnership for Community Safety, and Walla Walla University Board of Trustees. Hernandez also manages a private scholarship fund that has already helped 14 Walla Walla Valley students pursue higher education.
The SEWASA Community Leadership Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to public education and make a lasting impact on students, families, and communities throughout Southeast Washington.
Walla Walla Public Schools congratulates Sergio Hernandez on this well-deserved honor.
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