Yakima Public Schools

Yakima Public Schools (Yakima School District) is a U.S. local government school district operating as a federal grant recipient, not a contractor. The district does not hold federal contracts or IDVs and operates entirely through federal grant funding channeled via the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture. Yakima Public Schools acts as a prime recipient on direct formula grants and as a sub-recipient on pass-through awards from state educational agencies and universities.

Yakima Public Schools serves American Indian and Alaska Native students, economically disadvantaged students, migrant populations, English learners, students with disabilities, and high-need learners across elementary and secondary education in Yakima, Washington. The district's primary federal role is delivering K-12 education services funded through Title I, Title III English Language Acquisition, Special Education (IDEA Parts B), Indian Education formula grants, child nutrition programs, and targeted student support under state-administered consolidation mechanisms. The district also participates in STEM pipeline partnerships, including a Rural Initiative in STEM Education and Undergraduate Preparation (RISE UP) GEAR UP partnership coordinated through the University of Washington.

Federal grant concentration is heavily weighted toward the Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (37 awards), which accounts for the bulk of direct formula grants and sub-awards passed through the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service comprises the second largest source (23 awards), driven by recurring child nutrition program reimbursements and administrative support sub-awards issued annually. The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (9 awards), Office of Postsecondary Education (8 awards), and Office of English Language Acquisition (2 awards) round out the top five, accounting for 98% of the district's federal award activity.

The district's award footprint splits 26% prime (direct federal recipients) and 74% sub-recipients. Prime awards are direct formula grants under CFDA 84.060 (Indian Education Grants to Local Educational Agencies), which the district has received annually since at least 2022 at approximately $150,000 to $165,000 per fiscal year. The most recent prime award, issued July 1, 2026, totaled $156,892 and runs through June 30, 2027. Sub-awards flow primarily through the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), with recurring allocations under Title I Part A, ESEA consolidated grants, Special Education IDEA Part B, Student Support and Academic Enrichment, Project AWARE 2.2, Title I Part C Migrant, Title III English Language Acquisition, and Title IIA Supporting Effective Instruction. Additional sub-recipient activity includes GEAR UP partnership work with the University of Washington and technical assistance network participation under inclusionary practices initiatives. Award volume has increased sharply — one award in 2022 to 29 in 2024 — driven by the expansion of sub-award pass-throughs; recent activity shows 15 awards in 2025 and 7 through September 2026. Combined dollars obligated across all 81 awards total $114.2 million. Only one award reaches ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months, indicating minimal recompete pressure.