SPOKANE, Wash. — Students in the Freeman School District bounced through classroom doors today with the kind of energy that makes you smile. Jasmine De Peralta, an incoming first grader at Freeman Elementary, captured the sentiment perfectly: “Excited, and more excited.”
While first-day jitters are expected, teachers say they see this level of enthusiasm almost daily across the district.
New Superintendent Lisa Phelan said the district is ready for the year ahead.
“We have great staff, a great team in all of our departments … elementary, middle and high school,” Phelan said. “They have all been super supportive, so I am super excited for the year and what is next.”
This year brings both challenges and opportunities for Freeman Schools. The district recently learned it will no longer qualify for Local Effort Assistance funding in 2026 because of an increase in the community’s total assessed property value. While the change will affect the 2026-27 budget, district officials said they see it as a reflection of the community’s growth and strength.
The district said the funding loss required staff reductions through attrition. To help stretch every dollar, Freeman is turning to a newly completed solar project. A 100-kilowatt, ground-mounted solar system installed last school year is now operational. The system is expected to generate long-term energy savings that can be reinvested in students and schools for years to come.
Phelan said the district’s focus this year is expanding systems of support for all students.
Freeman is among the first districts in the area to start school. Several more districts will begin classes next week.
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