NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
March 24, 2025; 4:00 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, March 24, 2025. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Jack Thompson
Ann McMurray
Oscar Escalante
Alan Erickson
Kelly Bashaw
Merle Kirkley
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Fredrika Smith
Jennifer Longchamps
Les Valsquier
Comments From the Public
Members from the public provided public comment in reference to the Sedro-Woolley School District Board Position #5 vacancy.
Interview Sedro-Woolley School District Board Position #5 Applicants
The NWESD Board of Directors interviewed six applicants for the Sedro-Woolley School District Board – Position #5 vacancy in an open session. The applicants interviewed were Becky Taft, Brad Worley, Allan Henderson, Debra French-Hanson, Adele Eslinger, and Kevin Riley.
Executive Session
Chair Phillips recessed into an Executive Session at 5:48 p.m. per RCW 42.30.110(h) to discuss the qualifications of applicant/candidates for appointment to elective office. Chair Phillips shared that the Board will be in Executive Session until 6:20 p.m. at which time the Board will reconvene to the regular session. The Executive Session was extended to 6:30 p.m. to allow for further discussion.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the February 24, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval.
Jack Thompson moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2025, regular board meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Agenda
Additions to the agenda were identified as:
- 7.j Approval of Election of Certificated Staff indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of certificated employees
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #208190 through #208302 in the amount of $691,128.28 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000087 in the amount of $1,380.20 and warrants #208325 through #208380 in the amount of $504,878.01 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002127 through #9000002209 in the amount of $15,556.20 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 $20,396,762.86 was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of February payroll warrants #208304 through #208314 for salaries in the amount of $41,088.58, #208315 through #208324 to payroll vendors in the amount of $87,828.94, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $355,718.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,513.53, an electronic transfer in the amount of $908,919.93 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,417,188.29 for a total of $2,830,257.27 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 $542,109.90 was presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
No NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #208303 in the amount of $361,080.95 and #208381 in the amount of $2,301.20 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 $11,565,444.64 was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $2,592.70 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 terminations, hiring , and reclassification of certificated employees was presented.
It was moved by Ann McMurray and seconded by Merle Kirkley to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
New and Pending Business
Appointment of Sedro-Woolley School District School Board – Director #5 Position
During the Executive Session the Board discussed the qualifications of the six applicants to fill the vacancy of position #5 on the Sedro-Woolley School Board.
Merle Kirkley moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to appoint Becky Taft as the Sedro-Woolley School District Director of District #5. A vote was taken by roll call.
- Kelly Bashaw: Aye
- Jack Thompson: Aye
- Mark Venn: Abstain
- Oscar Escalante: Aye
- Alan Erickson: Aye
- Cory Duskin: Aye
- Ann McMurray: Aye
- Merle Kirkley: Aye
- Sue Phillips: Aye
The motion to appoint Becky Taft as the Sedro-Woolley School District Director of District #5 passed with 8 votes in favor, and 1 abstention.
Approval of the NWESD 2025-26 Official Calendar
The NWESD 2025-26 Official Calendar was presented for approval.
Ann McMurray moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the NWESD 2025-26 Official Calendar as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Resolution No. 2025-01, Authorizing a Reduction in Force of Certificated Staff
Resolution No. 2025-01, Authorizing a Reduction in Force of Certificated Staff was presented for approval. This resolution provides Superintendent Vivanco the authority to notify certificated staff by May 15 if cooperative program funding assurances are not provided by then.
Cory Duskin moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2025-01, Authorizing a Reduction in Force of Certificated Staff, as presented. Motion carried.
Policy Revisions
Revision to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum
Revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum were presented to the board for review. Superintendent Vivanco shared that this revision is to move the May board meetings to the third Monday of the month in an effort to avoid the conflict with the Memorial Day holiday.
Merle Kirkley moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the revision to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum, as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 3210 & 5010 – Nondiscrimination
Revisions to Policies 3210 and 5010 – Nondiscrimination were presented to the board for review.
Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve revisions to, Order of Business, and Quorum, Policy 3210 – Nondiscrimination. Dr. Vivanco shared that this policy was revised to align with WSSDA model policy that was recently updated to better align with OSPI’s current rules and guidelines, to address legal changes, and to make them more user friendly. Motion carried.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 5010 – Nondiscrimination. Dr. Vivanco shared that this policy was revised for the same reason as Policy 3210. Motioned carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Procedure Revisions
Revisions to Procedure 3210-P, Nondiscrimination Procedures, and Procedure 5010-P, Nondiscrimination Grievance Procedure were shared with the board.
Anticipated School District Bond/Levy Measures for April 22, 2025, Special Election
Superintendent Vivanco shared the anticipated school district bond/levy measures for the April 22, 2025, ballot and noted that Meridian School District is our only regional district running a bond in this election.
Superintendent’s Report
Legislative Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the combined efforts of WSSDA/WASA/AESD Superintendents met with OSPI to inform Superintendent Reykdal of what is happening regionally. The AESD Superintendents have been meeting to discuss statewide and national issues. Dr. Vivanco has been meeting with legislative reps to advocate for ESD core funding and the Big 3 (MSOC, Special Education, and Transportation).
SAC Meeting and Student Representative Retreat: Dr. Vivanco shared that the March 7, 2025, SAC meeting included a presentation by Buzz Porter. It was very well received. Additionally, there was a Student Representative Retreat happening at the same time as the SAC meeting and the two groups were able to connect over lunch.
New Regional Superintendents: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update on regional superintendent transitions and noted that Jessica Shank has been hired as the Mt. Baker School District Superintendent, Dr. Chris Granger was hired as the Sultan School District superintendent. And, Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh is currently serving as interim superintendent for the Marysville School District.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
Merle Kirkley shared that Melissa Gombosky joined the AESD Executive Committee meeting to share an update of the current bills in the Legislature. MSOC appears that it may take the biggest hit. There was more conversation about the future of the AESD Conference.
Dr. Vivanco shared that there is discussion of National Board Teachers losing their annual stipend.
Superintendent Vivanco noted that the Accreditation Panel Presentations taking place in Tumwater are still in need of volunteers. Please let Krista Johnsen know if you are interested in serving on the panel.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM.
Minutes approved on April 28,2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.