NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
October 24, 2022; 7:00 p.m.
Northwest Educational Service District
1601 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held in person on Monday, October 24, 2022. Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 6:50 PM at the NWESD office in Anacortes, WA.
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Members present:
Charlie Crabtree
Cory Duskin
Susan Phillips
Dr. Jack Thompson
Oscar Escalante
Alan Erickson
Ann McMurray
Staff present:
Larry Francois
Lisa Matthews
Deka Smith
David Forsythe
Jennifer Longchamps
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the September 26, 2022, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2022, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Jack Thompson moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #203643 through #203704 in the amount of $410,327.24 and #000000055 in the amount of $6,6604.08 and #203732 through #203797 in the amount of $657,672.24 and Accounts Payable ACH payment #9000000396 through #9000000441 in the amount of $9,612.92 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 $11,439,003.70 was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of October payroll warrants #203706 through #203719 for salaries in the amount of $23,505.51, #203720 through #203731 to payroll vendors in the amount of $51,196.77, a repayment to accounts payable for Health Care Authority costs in the amount of $237,848.51, reserve for Compensated Absence reimbursement in the amount of $17,992.33, an electronic transfer in the amount of $612,681.74 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $917,939.96 for a total of $1,861,164.82 was presented.
Approval of Labor and Industries Trust Financial Report
Approval of the Labor and Industries Trust Financial Report with the total ending net position in the amount of $246,419.81 was presented.
Approval of Labor and Industries Trust Warrants
Approval of the NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust warrants #203705 in the amount of $2,500.00 and warrant #203798 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #203799 in the amount of $1,776.83 was 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 $11,378,047.40 was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $2,118.50 was presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Report indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees was presented. Superintendent Francois requested that the board omit the employee personnel change that was reported for Kelli Roberts because the number of hours reported is incorrect.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
Election of Certificated Staff reports indicating hiring of certificated employees were presented.
It was moved to approve by Ann McMurray and seconded by Oscar Escalante to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Report to the Board
The NWESD Leadership Team shared a presentation about the recent NWESD Growth. Some of the highlights included:
- Summary of NWESD staffing levels, pre-pandemic to current
- Newly created positions
- Funding sources of new positions
- Financial comparison of the last 3 years
- Observations and future considerations
New and Pending Business
Approval of Position Description
The new position of School District Business Services Assistant Manager was shared with the board. Larry Francois explained that this position was adapted from the current School District Business Services Manager position description to provide the additional capacity required to meet the demand for contracted Business Services including a new commitment to Orcas Island School District for comprehensive business services. The recommended salary placement is Schedule III, Range 8.
Ann McMurray moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the new School District Business Services Assistant Manager position description and recommended salary placement as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Policy Revision 5231 – Work Day/Week/Holiday
Revisions to Policy 5231 – Work Day/Week/Holiday was presented for approval. Superintendent Francois noted that this revision is in response to the decision to add a personal day to the NWESD Site Assistants and Paraeducators for parity with other positions. Changes include the floating holiday being awarded upon the date of hire and not after six months of employment.
Sue Phillips moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the revision to Policy 5231 Work Day/Week/Holiday as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
NWESD Asset Relocation Report (Surplus Report)
The Asset Relocation Report from September 1, 2022, through October 15, 2022 was shared with the board.
Superintendent’s Report
SPI Reykdal Form with AESD Superintendents: Larry Francois shared that there was a forum with Superintendent Reykdal and the AESD Superintendents. Superintendent Reykdal spoke primarily about his legislative priorities some of which include: credit for work experience, universal free lunches for all students, and the expansion of dual credit opportunities.
OSPI/AESD Partnership Agreement: Larry Francois shared the AESD redesign process and highlighted the steps that will focus on the needed alignment and associated revision to the AESD governing documents. The core of this work is to detangle the AESD “Association” from the AESD “Network”. As part of the redesign, the AESD will move to three governing documents. The ESD “Extra-Territorial” interlocal agreement will define the process for how ESDs offer programs/services across ESD boundaries. The AESD Constitution defines the association’s purpose, core functions, governance, roles, etc., and the ASESD “Network” interlocal agreement will define the core functions, governance, roles, and commitments among ESDs for engaging as a “Network” delivering statewide services. Once the document revisions are completed the group will work on the business model, and how to build a more sustainable funding model for the AESD network
Staff Newsletter: Superintendent Francois shared with the board that there is a staff monthly newsletter that is shared with all NWESD staff through SharePoint. The board will be receiving instructions and an invitation to set up SharePoint access to view the NWESD Newsletter.
Moving to OneDrive/SharePoint: Larry Francois noted that the NWESD is moving its use of network drives to Office 365/OneDrive/SharePoint. With that transition the board content and the online board meeting platform will have its own SharePoint site – the goal is to go paperless by September 2023.
Equity Committee Update: Larry Francois invited the board members to join the NWESD staff on November 29, 2022, for a “Lunch & Learn.” This Zoom meeting will feature a presenter sharing on the topic of pronouns.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
No report
Annual WSSDA Conference
Registration and travel arrangements have been made for the board members attending the WSSDA conference.
AESA Annual Conference
Registration and travel arrangements have been made for the board members attending the AESA Annual Conference
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 PM.
Minutes approved on November 28, 2022, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.