Look for the January 2025 Finley School District Newsletter in your mailbox soon, download the printable PDF newsletter here in
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Finley School District Newsletter | January 2025
Superintendent’s Message
It is an honor to serve this community as we work together to achieve together. We are now halfway through the 24-25 school year, and I am proud of the accomplishments of the students and staff in the Finley School District. The percentage of students engaged in activities, clubs, or athletics exceeds expectations. The learning improvement gains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing is at a state high. The operations of the district continue to be fiscally responsible as we strive to maximize every dollar received for student benefit. It is a good time to be proud of the accomplishments of Finley’s finest.
We encourage you to stay tuned and a part of what is happening through our monthly enewsletter, social media pages, or attendance at events. Thank you for participating in All Kids Achieving!
- Bryan Long, Superintendent
School Closures & Delays
When winter weather hits, we want to assure our Finley students, staff, and families have updated information on expectations and communication for closing or delaying school due to inclement weather. Occasionally, severe weather may make it necessary for the buses to run late and/or for school to be delayed or cancelled. When this happens, announcements will be made beginning at 6:00 a.m.
All school closure and/or emergency information will be available on our district website home page at www.finleysd.org, as well as on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FinleySchools. Automated phone calls will be sent to students’ families with ParentSquare. Please make sure we have your most current contact information so we can reach you!
Our district also utilizes the media notification system Flash Alert Newswire to communicate this information with local TV, radio, and news stations as needed. As soon as a decision has been made to delay or close school, this information is posted to the Flash Alert website. Parents are encouraged to check this website in the mornings for accurate and reliable information direct from the District. Visit our website at www.finleysd.org and click on the Closures/Alerts quick link to connect to FlashAlert.
Some 2024 highlights:
-
RVHS Career Day – Students explored future pathways
- Thanks again to the Finley Moose Lodge for their commitment to helping all kids have the resources they need
- Finley Food Pantry - Thanks the efforts of our incredible student & staff volunteers and community organizations serving families each month
- OMSI Science Night – Students explored their curiosity and answered critical questions
- What an incredible volleyball season for our RVHS Panthers with a state finish at the WIAA 2B Tournament
Looking forward to more to come in 2025!
.jpg "RVHS Volleyball at State")
Two Levies. Two Purposes. One Mission: KIDS.
#1 Educational Programs & Operations Levy
for learning supports, services, and programs
Estimated 2026 & 2027 Levy Tax Rate = $2.50 per $1,000 assessed property value
- ATHLETICS: transportation, coaches, equipment
- PROGRAMS: agriculture, art, band & choir, drama, yearbook, buddy club, tutoring
- STAFF: teachers, paras, custodians, admin, secretaries
- MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
- CURRICULUM & BOOKS
- AND MORE!
Finley School District has an Educational Programs & Operations Levy on the February ballot to replace one expiring in 2025.
If the EP&O levy is approved, the district will also receive local effort assistance (LEA) matching funds from the state.
+ State Levy Match = $421,428 ($0.19 per $1)
#2 Capital Improvement Levy
for maintaining and upgrading safety, facilities, and technology investments
Estimated 2026 & 2027 Levy Tax Rate = $0.23 per $1,000 assessed property value
- TECHNOLOGY: firewalls, wi-fi access points, switches, servers, staff &
student Chromebooks
- SAFETY & FACILITIES: security cameras & security systems
Finley School District is also asking for a separate Capital Levy for safety, security, and educational technology improvements across the district to meet the growth of technology upgrade costs.
Levy dollars benefit ALL Finley students
Approximately 12% of the school district’s annual budget comes from a voter-approved levy, including state-matching funds.
| State Basic Education Funding |
$8,633,872 |
| State Grants |
$3,576,375 |
| Federal Grants |
$1,577,938 |
Local EP&O Levy
|
$1,453,679 |
| State Matching Funds |
$379,604 |
Learn more:
www.finleysd.org/district/levies
Important Dates:
JANUARY
20 - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
24 - Ballots arrive in mailboxes
FEBRUARY
10-14 - National FCCLA Week
11 - Special Election Day, remember to vote!
17 - NO SCHOOL, Presidents Day
17-24 - National FFA Week
21 - Lower Columbia Basin FFA Jamboree at RVHS
28 - NO SCHOOL, Professional Learning Day
MARCH
5 - NO SCHOOL, Conferences
28 - Potential Snow Day Make-Up
31 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
APRIL
1-4 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
14 - Fourth Quarter Begins
18-19 - FFA Plant Sale
MAY
23 - Potential Snow Day Make-Up
26 - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
JUNE
13 - Last Day of School, Early Release
Public Notices:
Military Status Notice
According to RCW 28A.300.505(2)(b) school districts are required to report parent or guardian military status and regularly update the data. Please contact your school office to update your military status if it has changed over the last school year. Ask for the Military Status Survey. For questions regarding Military Status Survey, contact the District Office at 509-586-3217.
Nondiscrimination, Title IX & Section 504
Finley School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle question and complaints of alleged discrimination: Nondiscrimination/ADA and Title IX – Bryan Long, Superintendent, Section
504 – Amy McLaughin, Director of Special Programs, Civil Rights & Gender-Inclusive Coordinator – René Cooper, Human Resources Specialist, 509-586-3217. Please consult the district’s website for more information regarding Discrimination Complaint Procedures.
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