NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
January 27, 2026; 6:30 PM
Northwest Educational Service District | 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 Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:27 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Mark Venn
Cory Duskin
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley
Ann McMurray
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Lisa Matthews
David Forsythe
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Rose Oliver
Oath of Office
Board members Kelly Bashaw, Alan Erickson, Mark Venn, Ann McMurray, and Merle Kirkley were provided their Oaths of Office by Superintendent Vivanco.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the December 16, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2025, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Mark Venn moved, Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Reorganization of the Board
Mark Venn moved to elect Cory Duskin as chair, Merle Kirkley seconded the motion. Merle Kirkley moved to elect Kelly Bashaw for vice chair, Ann McMurray seconded the motion. Mark Venn moved to elect Merle Kirkley as AESD Representative, Sue Phillips seconded the motion. Merle Kirkley moved to elect Kelly Bashaw as the AESD Legislative Representative, Ann McMurray seconded the motion. All motions to appoint board positions carried unanimously electing Cory Duskin as the Board Chair, Kelly Bashaw as Board Vice Chair, Merle Kirkley as the AESD Representative and Kelly Bashaw as Legislative representative.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of General Fund warrants #209861 through #209917 in the amount of $192,374.63 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000099 in the amount of $4,339.46 and warrants #209937 through #209987 in the amount of $1,044,342.33 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002859 through #9000002947 in the amount of $18,872.61 were presented for approval.
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 $22,808,265.01 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of December payroll warrants #209921 through #209926 for salaries in the amount of $17,618.68, #209927 through #209936 to payroll vendors in the amount of $55,507.58, adjustment of employee wages for unpaid leave ($72.63), repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $377,840.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,729.00, an electronic transfer in the amount of $797,728.04 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,397,122.03 for a total of $2,665,472.70 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 $569,726.21 was presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #209918 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #209919 through #209920 in the amount of $10,084.22 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 $11,790,784.43 was presented for approval.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $8,490.10 was presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Report indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees was presented for approval.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
Election of Certificated Staff indicating hiring and termination of certificated employees was presented for approval.
It was moved by Ann McMurray and seconded by Sue Phillips to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Lisa Matthews, NWESD Assistant Superintendent for Finance, provided an annual fiscal review of the NWESD operating fund for 2024-25. Highlights from the presentation include:
- Review year-end financial results
- Review operating trends
Tamara Shoup, Director of Development, Strategy, and Innovations, presented an annual progress report on NWESD agency goal #2 – by August 2028, NWESD will increase programs and services by $20 million, expanding opportunities for students, empowering educators, and strengthening support for schools across our region.
New and Pending Business
Approval of New Job Descriptions
Controller
The job description for the Controller position was presented to the board for approval. Superintendent Vivanco noted that this position is intended to replace the current accounting manager position. The role has been expanded to include supervision over internal payroll processes and staff, as well as other responsibilities.
Inclusive Learning and Systems Improvement Coordinator
The job description for the Inclusive Learning and Systems Improvement Coordinator was presented to the board for approval. Superintendent Vivanco shared that this position is intended to replace the Literacy Coordinator position and includes a focus on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Inclusive Instructional Practices.
Alan Erickson moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the Controller job description and the Inclusive Learning and Systems Improvement Coordinator job description as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
January School Board Appreciation Month
Superintendent Vivanco extended the utmost gratitude and thanks to the NWESD Board on behalf of everyone at the NWESD.
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
NWESD 3rd Year Accreditation Reviews
Superintendent Vivanco shared with the Board that the Accreditation 3rd Year Reviews will be taking place on February 26, 2026, and invited the Board to participate on the panel. There will be 5 schools presenting. The west-side panels in Tumwater will be taking place in May.
NWESD Anticipated School District Bond/Levy Measures
NWESD Anticipated School District Bond/Levy Measures were shared with the Board.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared there were no additional updates on Binding Conditions and that the districts continue to make progress.
Business Strategy Framework: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD was scheduled to host a 2-day training this month but due to weather on east coast, the facilitators were unable to attend. The event is rescheduled for mid-March.
Legislative Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared that he is meeting with legislators to advocate for ESDs funding.
Partner Profile Reports: Superintendent Vivanco informed the board that the NWESD Partner Profile reports are completed. These reports offer a snapshot of NWESD services available to the NWESD regional districts.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Merle Kirkley shared that the AESD Executive Board is accepting nominations for the 2026 AESD Executive Board Award of Distinction. He encouraged the board to think of someone that could be nominated. He added that registration is open for the AESD Annual Conference starting April 15, 2026.
Legislative Report
Kelly Bashaw shared updates from the WSSDA E-Clippings email communication.
Executive Session
At 8:18 PM, Chair Duskin announced the Board will enter into an Executive Session after a brief break for approximately 35 minutes to review the performance of a public employee (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)) and to discuss potential litigation per (RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)), and that the Board will reconvene into the public meeting at 9:00 p.m. The Executive Session began at 8:25 PM. The Board returned to open session at 9:00 p.m., and no action was taken.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Minutes approved on February 24, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.