NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
September 23, 2024; 8:30 AM
Chrysalis Inn | 804 10th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held in person on Monday, September 23, 2024. Board Chair Susan Phillips called the meeting to order at 8:31 AM at the Chrysalis Inn in Bellingham, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Mark Venn
Alan Erickson
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Jennifer Longchamps
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the August 26, 2024, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2024, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Merle Kirkley moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #207266 through #207323 in the amount of $520,123.04 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000081 in the amount of $478.10 and warrants #207343 through #207413 in the amount of $550,671.21 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001696 through #9000001736 in the amount of $10,276.64 and warrants #207415 through #207416 in the amount of $325.00 were presented.
Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports
No General Fund Balance Financial Reports were presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of August payroll warrants #207325 through #207332 for salaries in the amount of $18,110.17, #207333 through #207342 to payroll vendors in the amount of $41,382.12, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $295,313.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $15,019.37, an electronic transfer in the amount of $757,147.00 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,196,226.71 for a total of $2,323,258.09 was presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Financial Reports
No NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial reports were presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant
No NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #207324 in the amount of $201,293.18 and #207414 in the amount of $2,754.30 were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Reports
No Unemployment Pool Financial reports were presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $29,855.44 was presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Report indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees was presented.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
No Election of Certificated Staff indicating hiring of certificated employees was presented.
It was moved by Mark Venn and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
New and Pending Business
Approval of Job Descriptions
The updated position description for the Migrant Reengagement Case Manager was presented to the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that this updated version of the current Migrant Reengagement Coordinator position better describes the work of this role and will create alignment in the work across multiple areas throughout the MEP region. With the review of this description the salary range was also evaluated and found to be higher than similar positions. Salary is recommended at Schedule II, Range 11.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the updated position description for the Migrant Reengagement Case Manager position as presented. Motion carried.
The updated position descriptions for the Senior Capital Projects Manager was presented to the board. Superintendent Vivanco shared that this update is to more closely match the work being done in this role and to gall in line with other members of the Construction Services Group who are also preforming these duties. In order to remain equitable in salary placement when compared to the 2024-25 Construction Services Group Salary Schedule, salary is recommended at Schedule III, Range 17b.
Merle Kirkley moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the updated position description for the Senior Capital Projects Manager as presented. Motion carried.
Second Reading – Policy 6217, Electronic Funds Transfer
Policy 6217, Electronic Funds Transfer was presented for a second reading.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve Policy 6217, Electronic Funds Transfer as presented. Motion carried.
Policy Revisions
Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
Revisions to Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited were presented to the board for review.
Policy 3246 – Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
Revisions to Policy 3246 – Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force were presented to the board for review.
Policy 5111 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited
Revisions to Policy 5111 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited were presented to the board for review.
Mark Venn moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the revisions to Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited, Policy 3246 – Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force, and Policy 5111 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited as presented. Motion Carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Procedure Revisions
Revisions to procedures 3205-P.1, Sexual Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment of Students Prohibited – Grievance Procedures; 3205-P.2, Sexual Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment of Students Prohibited – Implementation Procedures; 3211-P, Gender-Inclusive Programs Procedure; 3246-P, Restraint, Isolation, and Other Use of Reasonable Force Procedure; 5011-P, Sexual Harassment of Staff Prohibited Procedures; 5521-P, Tuition Reimbursement Procedure were shared with the board.
First Reading: New Policy and Procedure
Policy 5012, Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff was presented for a first reading. Dr. Vivanco noted that the new policy is in response to the new Title IX Regulation requirement that students and staff be provided reasonable modifications for pregnancy and related conditions.
2024-25 NWESD Departmental SMART Goals
The 2024-25 NWESD Department SMART Goal Reports were presented to the board for review. Vivanco added that the process will be changing to align with the Superintendent goals of Relationships, Equity, Innovation.
2024-25 NWESD Organizational Chart
Superintendent Vivanco shared the 2024-25 NWESD Organizational Chart to the board for review. It was requested that the Statewide Accreditation program be added to Operations.
AESD Accreditation Plaque Presentations
Dr. Vivanco shared that thirteen schools in the NWESD region completed their accreditation review and plaque presentations are being scheduled. He invited board members to join him in presenting the school teams their plaques.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared that there were no new updates for the La Conner School District since the last board meeting. Moving forward, OSPI will update the Binding Conditions letter. They could be released out of Binding Conditions as early as December 2024.
Vivanco added that the Mount Baker School District met on August 30, 2024, and as shared last time, there have been no missed deadlines regarding the reporting of information, and they are on track to meet its target general fund balance and could be better. They could potentially exit Binding Conditions in the 2025–26 school year with continued progress toward Binding Conditions expectations.
Dr. Vivanco shared an update on the Marysville School District and noted that the Financial Oversight Committee (FOC) has met seven times, including once at the Marysville School District for a public hearing and public comment on the FOC’s findings, the FOC made the following recommendations:
-
- MSD was placed on enhanced financial oversight to reduce the risk of dissolution due to insolvency, pursuant to RCW 28A.315.221.
- The Superintendent of Public Instruction should appoint a special administrator, Dr. Art Jarvis to oversee and carry out financial conditions imposed on the district.
- The FOC will continue to meet and work with the special administrator and the school district to answer outstanding questions regarding their current budget. The next meeting is scheduled for September 30, 2024, with Marysville School District stakeholders to introduce them to Dr. Jarvis.
- The district should submit a revised budget to OSPI no later than October 15, 2024. The budget should address all the questions from the FOC and establish a common understanding of the district’s current financial position.
- The FOC should develop an alternative financial plan that returns the district to financial sustainability by the end of the 2025-26 school year. The alternate plan would be subject to a public hearing. Public feedback will be considered prior to a formal decision to implement the FOC financial plan rather than the original adopted MSD budget.
- Superintendent Vivanco will continue to update the board after each of the meetings.
Legislative Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared that he has met with a number of legislators, Melissa Gombosky has joined for some of the meetings. The main purpose has been to discuss the AESD funding request for Behavioral Health supports and the key budgetary issues included on the WASA 2025 Legislative platform, those being, special education and student transportation.
Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year Presentations: Dr. Vivanco shared that the award presentations for the NWESD Regional Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year have been scheduled. The state awards will be announced the end of this month.
District Leadership Team Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD Leadership Team has completed district leadership team visits in the past and is looking to visit fifteen districts this year, if possible. Mainly the focus will be on the Snohomish and Skagit county districts.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
Dr. Vivanco shared that the AESD Executive Committee discussed Legislative updates and the big priorities. They discussed hot topics around the state and the current challenges. Vivanco shared an overview of the Accreditation process with the committee. And they discussed the 2025 AESD Conference – mainly the newly launched website. The conference dates are April 16-18, 2025.
The upcoming AESA Conference in Orlando, FL will include 3 breakout sessions hosted by WA state ESD’s.
Upcoming Conferences
Superintendent Vivanco share information about the upcoming statewide AI Summit.
The board discussed the WSSDA Conference and discussed ideas of how they can connect with regional school district board members who are attending. The board suggested it would be nice if there could be time at future WSSDA conferences for ESD boards to connect with their regional school district board members.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:56 AM.
Minutes approved on October 28, 2024, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.