NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

October 23, 2023; 7:00 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 Monday, October 23, 2023. Board Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 6:47 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

Charlie Crabtree (zoom)
Merle Kirkley
Mark Venn
Jack Thompson
Sue Phillips
Alan Erickson
Cory Duskin (zoom)
Oscar Escalante (zoom)
Ann McMurray (zoom)

Staff present:

Larry Francois
Lisa Matthews
David Forsythe
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps
Les Valsquier
Briana Lindquist
Jodie DesBiens
Natalie Gustafson
Chris Allen

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the September 25, 2023, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2023, regular board meeting.  Motion carried.  Ann McMurray abstained due to absence at the September 25, 2023, meeting.

Comments From the Public

No public comment was provided.

Approval of Agenda

Additions to the agenda were identified as:

  • 5.h Approval of additional out-of-state travel;
  • 9.c WSSDA 2023 Comprehensive Election Results

Merle Kirkley moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund warrants #205478 through #205541 in the amount of $823,685.13 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000070 in the amount of $8,053.65 and warrants #205578 through #205651 in the amount of $147,022.79 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000000960 through #9000001013 in the amount of $13,180.42 were presented.

Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports

Approval of the General Fund Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $13,173,827.85 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of September payroll warrants #205543 through #205566 for salaries in the amount of $46,384.78, #205567 through #205577 to payroll vendors in the amount of $46,715.51, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $272,167.09, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $14,146.84, an electronic transfer in the amount of $731,793.23 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,126,007.26 for a total of   $2,237,214.71 was presented.  

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Financial Reports

Approval of the NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial Report with the total ending net position in the amount of $455,877.72 was presented.  

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant numbered #205542 in the amount of $2,500.00 was presented.

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

No Unemployment Pool warrants were presented.

Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Reports

Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $12,231,371.76 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $11,446.98 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 Oscar Escalante and seconded by Ann McMurray to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Report to the Board

Natalie Gustafson, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health & Prevention Services, and Chris Allen, Behavioral Health Administrator, provided a presentation to the board on the Behavioral Health Services program. Some highlights from the presentation are:

  • Overview of the NWESD Behavioral Health Services
  • Tiered Behavioral Health and Prevention Model
  • School-based MHP service and funding model
  • Medicaid billing
  • Summary of program strengths, challenges, and growth

New and Pending Business

Policy Revisions

Policy 3413 – Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions

Revisions to Policy 3413 – Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions were presented to the board for review.

Policy 5050 – Contracts

Revisions to Policy 5050-Contracts were presented to the board for review.

Policy 6530 – Insurance

Revisions to Policy 6530 – Insurance was presented to the board for review. Superintendent Francois noted that this change is in preparation for the upcoming change in healthcare benefits to SEBB effective January 1, 2024.

Jack Thompson moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the revisions to Policy 3413 – Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions; Policy 5050 – Contracts; and Policy 6530 – Insurance as presented. Motion carried.

Selection of Superintendent Search Firm

Invitations were sent to three superintendent search firms to submit written proposals to conduct a superintendent search for the NWESD. Of the three firms that were invited, two responded with proposals. The NWESD Board of Directors reviewed proposals from Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA) and Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA). The third firm did not respond to the invitation.

Board member Mark Venn acknowledged his role as a consultant for NWLA and stated that he would recuse himself from any role with NWLA during this search process if their firm was selected. Venn added that he will abstain from voting for the selection of a search firm.  Venn further stated his intent to be involved in the superintendent selection process solely as a member of the board in good standing with the goal of selecting the best superintendent for the NWESD.

The Board discussed the proposals that were received from NWLA and HYA.

Merle Kirkley moved, and Oscar Escalante seconded, to select the Northwest Leadership Associates to conduct the superintendent search for the NWESD. Motion carried with Mark Venn abstaining from the vote.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Policy Forms

The following policy forms were presented to the board for review: Form 3411-F1, Seizure 504 Care Plan; Form 3413-F1, Life-Threatening Medical 504 Plan; Form 3413-F2, Generic Medical 504 Care Plan; Form 3415-F1, Diabetic 504 Care Plan; and Form 3419-F2, Asthma 504 Care Plan. Superintendent Francois shared that these forms are templates that focus on the creation of condition-specific care plans.

AESA Business Strategy Framework Training

Superintendent Francois shared an update of the recent AESA Business Strategy Framework Training that a selection of NWESD staff attended. This work will continue with six groups receiving individual coaching sessions and conclude with the presentation panels on December 7, 2023.

2023-24 General Fund 4-Year Budget Projections

The 4-year budget projections for the NWESD 189 regional school districts were presented to the Board. Superintendent Francois noted that this is a requirement by the state legislature in response to the McCleary settlement and has been shared with the Board for the past 4-5 years. School districts are required to project their finances for four years. Francois added that it is difficult for school districts to project out four years. The NWESD will continue to monitor the Marysville School District as well as the two districts in Binding Conditions (Mt. Baker, La Conner).

Cascade Bike Donation

Larry Francois shared that the creation of the NWESD Bicycle Education program included the receipt of a bike trailer, trailing materials, 30 bicycles, and maintenance supplies from the Cascade Bicycle Club. A letter to the Cascade Bicycle Club noting the donation was shared with the board. In subsequent years the NWESD will purchase the bikes, trailers, and other equipment as allowable with the grant.

Superintendent’s Report

Annual Inclement Weather Reminder: Larry Francois shared the inclement weather procedures with the board and noted that Anacortes office staff will receive notification if the office is closed or operating with a delayed opening. NWESD staff who work in school districts should follow the inclement weather advisories of the districts where they work.

December 18, 2023, Annual Staff Holiday Luncheon and Board Meeting: Larry Francois made note that the December board meeting will take place on December 18, 2023, starting at 1:30 p.m. directly after the annual staff holiday luncheon. Francois invited the board members to the staff luncheon.

Report on Trip to Skyward Headquarters: Superintendent Francois reported to the Board about his recent trip to the Skyward Headquarters in WI. He explained that Skyward is our software provider for WSIPC. Skyward is a much larger operation than thought and Washington State school districts and ESDs are a unique client for them. We are their only statewide contract. There were a lot of conversations about the Qmlativ product and migration.

Update on Teaching and Learning Department Reorganization: Larry Francois shared that given the recent growth of the Teaching and Learning Department it was evident that some reorganization needed to happen. The creation of the Director of Teaching and Learning position and the creation of new positions of Migrant Education Program Manager and STEM/Career Connected Learning Program Manager will help reorganize the department to better share leadership duties. Francois added that the NWESD recently hired Enrique Lopez as the new Migrant Education Program Manager.

Report on Binding Contract Meetings: Larry Francois shared that introductory meetings between the NWESD, OSPI, and those districts that are in binding conditions have begun. These groups will begin quarterly progress meetings in the coming weeks.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

The 2024 AESD Legislative Platform was shared with the board. The two priorities for the 2024 year are school-based mental and behavioral health and the second priority is to sustain the inclusionary practices and multi-tiered systems of support. The NWESD will also support the priorities of WASA as well as high priorities of school districts.

Merle Kirkley shared that the planning for the AESD Conference is going well.

Larry Francois reminded the board of the upcoming WSSDA and AESA conferences and made note of the travel dates for those board members attending.

The WSSDA 2023 Comprehensive Election Results were shared with the board. All four NWESD board positions won their seats that were up for re-election and will begin their new terms in January.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 PM

Minutes approved on November 27, 2023, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.