District overview
Orondo School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How Orondo School District is paid for and who decides
Orondo School District No. 13 runs one elementary and middle school (grades K-8, plus preschool) for about 130 students in Douglas County, Washington; older students attend high school in neighboring districts by bus or Link Transit. Like other Washington districts, most of its money comes from the state's per-student formula, topped up by local levies that voters must approve. Both of its levies passed in February 2026. Building projects in 2026 were paid for mostly by state and county grants. Five elected directors set the budget and policies and hire the superintendent.
Local levies
Voters approved an educational programs and operations levy and a capital levy in February 2026.
Grants for buildings
The 2026 early learning facility, playground and district office work is funded by the state Small District Modernization Grant and a Douglas County PUD grant.
Reserves
Staff reported a 19% general fund balance in August 2026.
Who decides
Five directors (Chair Armando Davila, Vice-Chair Sally Lancaster, Jessica Watson, Jan Dosh and Christine Dennis, appointed in August 2026). Two members left during the year.
The minutes list agenda topics and votes but rarely include dollar amounts, so the budget and levy sizes cannot be confirmed from these records.
Where the district stands
From the NCES Common Core of Data; the minutes report enrollment growth but no count.
Major projects
Early learning facility, preschool playground and district office
finishingThe Old School House is being modernized as an early learning facility with a new preschool playground and kitchen equipment; a new district office is part of the work. During construction the board approved consolidating lead- and arsenic-affected soil on a district parcel.
- Project resolution approved
- Playground and modernization resolutions
- Bids accepted
- Soil change order
- All projects within budget
Funding
State Small District Modernization Grant and Douglas County PUD grant
Four-day school week waiver renewal
gathering inputThe district runs a four-day week under a state waiver and scheduled an Oct. 27, 2026 community listening session that includes its renewal.
- Listening session scheduled
- Community listening session
Funding
None (state waiver)
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Official board agendas and minutes from the public Google Drive folders linked on orondoschool.org (November 2025 to an agenda for Nov. 4, 2026), plus the district's phone policy, student handbook and strategic plan.
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