NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
November 25, 2024; 6:30 p.m.
1601 R Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held in person on Monday, November 25, 2024. Board Chair Susan Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Alan Erickson
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley
Ann McMurray
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Fredrika Smith
Lisa Matthews
Jennifer Longchamps
Tamara Shoup
Les Valsquier
Vanessa Woo
Chelsie Taresh-Ciscell
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the October 28, 2024, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2024, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Additions to the agenda were identified as:
- f.viii Policy 1115 – Vacancies, Procedure, and Form
- g Purchasing Process Committee
- h Revisions to Procedure 5240-P, Evaluation of Staff Procedures
Merle Kirkley moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #207595 through #207655 in the amount of $287,374.55 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000083 in the amount of $3,803.22 and warrants #207670 through #207750 in the amount of $1,372,509.44 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001824 through #9000001914 in the amount of $17,930.21 were presented.
Approval of the General Fund Financial Report
Approval of the General Fund Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $18,966,191.54 was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of October payroll warrants #207656 through #207660 for salaries in the amount of $13,720.58, #207661 through #207669 to payroll vendors in the amount of $53,734.47, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $335,166.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $18,789.18, an electronic transfer in the amount of $876,559.61 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,383,311.45 for a total of $2,681,281.29 were presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Financial Report
Approval of the NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial Report with the total ending net position in the amount of $527,884.24 was presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant numbered #207751 in the amount of $420.83 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #207752 through #207754 in the amount of $16,095.54 were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Report
Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $11,393,853.09 was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $5,477.50 was presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Report indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees was presented.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
Election of Certificated Staff indicating hiring of certificated employees was presented.
It was moved by Ann McMurray and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Fredrika Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Elizabeth Hamming, Director of Teaching and Learning, shared updates on the Teaching and Learning Department. Highlights from their presentation included review of recent growth, key areas of focus, and AESD connections.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Surplus Disposal Report
The October Surplus Disposal Report was presented to the board for review.
November 5, 2024, Preliminary Statewide Election Results
The preliminary statewide election results from the November 5, 2024, election were presented to the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that while the South Whidbey School District EP&O Levy passed along with their capital projects levy, the Snohomish and Whatcom county school districts were not so successful. The Arlington, Blaine, Lake Stevens, Meridian, and Sultan school districts all failed to pass their levies and/or bonds.
Regional Enrollment Trends
Superintendent Vivanco shared the enrollment trends for the NWESD districts, counties, and region. Lisa Matthews noted that it’s evident that the students that we lost during the pandemic are not returning.
Business Strategy Framework 2.0
The Director of Development, Strategy, and Innovations, Tamara Shoup, provided a brief presentation about the Business Strategy Framework 2.0 in preparation for the upcoming training at the AESA Conference.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update on the three districts in our region that are currently in Binding Conditions. The La Conner School District was released out of Binding Conditions on November 17, 2024. OSPI has updated their Binding Conditions letter. The Mount Baker School District is continuing to make progress. They could still potentially exit Binding Conditions in the 2025-26 school year.
Dr. Vivanco shared an update on the Marysville School District and noted that the OSPI Special Administrator doesn’t feel that the adopted 2024-25 General Fund Budget clearly delineates a pathway for the district to overcome Binding Conditions and enhanced oversight status. He is directing that a plan (due December 1, 2024) be prepared within the next thirty days by the Marysville School District that identifies key elements necessary to achieve that outcome within three years. OSPI is providing special education support via funding through the NWESD.
District Leadership Team Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update about NWESD Leadership Team district visits. He noted that annually, they have visited a third of the NWESD regional districts to share the Partner Profile reports and discuss ways that the NWESD can support their needs. This year, the Leadership Team has been visiting districts, mainly Skagit and Snohomish County. They will be visiting through December and will share common themes that they learn at future board meetings.
Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC) Meetings: Dr. Vivanco shared a brief update of the upcoming plans for the SAC meetings. He noted that the December 11, 2024, zoom meeting will include a presentation from Dan Steele for a budget update. And, the January 10, 2025, meeting will include a brief presentation from Jeff Jurgensen, OSPI School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) Revision project. The January meeting will also include a presentation by Dr. David Knight to share his insights regarding envisioning an ample and equitable funding system. We have encouraged superintendents to bring their fiscal officers and communications staff.
Seafarer’s Hotel Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update about the status of the potential hotel being built on the empty lot on the north side of the NWESD property. The developer, David Irwin, contacted the NWESD to request a mutual parking easement that would allow the hotel patrons to park in the NWESD designated parking spots overnight. The board didn’t feel it was in our best interest to extend a parking easement at this time.
All Staff Advance: Dr. Vivanco shared that the Leadership Team and Directors have been discussing hosting the All Staff Advance on a different date to offer more staff the opportunity to attend. We have selected November 13, 2025, and it will be held at the Swinomish Casino. We estimate that 250 people will be attending and would like to extend the invitation to the board to attend as well.
Anacortes Office Space: Dr. Vivanco noted that the Leadership Team has been researching plans to transform the Cap Sante meeting room into additional office space. He added that this new space would accommodate the growing fiscal department staff and allow the space for departments to seat their teams together. While this change will eliminate one of our larger meeting rooms, we think we can change a couple of our smaller meeting rooms to provide a similar space.
December Board Meeting: Dr. Vivanco reminded the board that the December board meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. immediately following the staff holiday luncheon. The board is invited to attend the luncheon.
School Board Vacancies: Superintendent Vivanco shared Policy 1115 – Vacancies with the board and reviewed the policy. When there is a director vacancy in a school district for more than 90 days the NWESD will be informed of the vacancy and they will have to fill that position.
Purchasing Process Committee
A memo from the NWESD Purchasing Process Committee was shared with the board summarizing their work to implement purchasing process improvements. The next step in the committee’s work will be the addition of hotel and motor pool purchasing cards.
Procedure Revision
Revisions to 5240-P, Evaluation of Staff Procedures, was shared with the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that edits were made to align with the current WSSDA policy.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
Merle Kirkley shared that there is concern about future funding. Dr. Vivanco shared that he gave an accreditation program update and there was discussion about the new date for the AI Innovative Summit for the west side.
Annual Legislative Conference
Registration information for the Annual Legislative Conference was shared. This conference will have a new location and format.
WSSDA Conference
The board discussed their recent attendance as the WSSDA Conference. Kelly Bashaw shared that she met with school board members and superintendents, discussions about working together with difficult people and how school districts can function as an organization without affecting students. Sue Phillips proposed a Board presentation at the WSSDA conference next year on the topic of the AESD and the supports we can offer school districts.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Minutes approved on December 16, 2024, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.