Community Education
Aviation Academy in Peninsula School District gets $179,000 from Legislature
The Washington state Legislature awarded $179,000 to Peninsula School District’s Aviation Academy through a proviso included in the 2025-26 budget. A proviso is a budget allocation for a specific purpose, such as programs, projects or initiatives.
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The Aviation Academy launches this fall and will be open to students across the district, though housed at Henderson Bay High School. It will offer hands-on, career-focused coursework in aviation science, aeronautics and flight training.
The new funding will expand access to field experience, industry site visits and additional program opportunities that connect classroom learning to real world careers in aviation and aerospace, according to a news release from the district.
Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, played a key role in securing the funding, according to the district. Krishnadasan is a former member of the Peninsula School Board.
Krishnadasan replaced Democratic U.S. Rep. Emily Randall after Randall was elected to Congress last year. Krishnadasan is running to retain the Senate seat against State Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, in a special election in November 2025.
“As a member of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, Sen. Krishnadasan continues to be a champion for public education and career-connected learning throughout Washington State,” the news release said. “The district is also grateful to the Peninsula school board for its advocacy for this proviso.”
The Aviation Academy was launched in the 2025-26 school year through the district’s Career and Technical Education department. It is one of only eight funded provisos in this legislative session.