NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
October 27, 2025; 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 Monday, October 27, 2025. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:31 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Mark Venn
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley (Zoom)
Ann McMurray
Alan Erickson
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Lisa Matthews
David Forsythe
Tamara Shoup
Robert Pohl
Jennifer Longchamps
Dawn Cottnair
Tina Mott
Brian MacNevin
Laqueta Williams
Guests Present:
Al Schreiber
Elizabeth Niemi
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the September 22, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Kelly Bashaw moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2025, regular board meeting. Motion carried. Sue Phillips abstained due to her absence at the September 22, 2025, meeting.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Kelly Bashaw moved to amend the agenda by moving the Executive Session immediately following the consent agenda, Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Director District 4 Interviews
Albert Schreiber and Elizabeth Niemi were interviewed by the board in an open session for the Director District #4 vacancy.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #209407 through #209478 in the amount of $659,851.26 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000095 in the amount of $3,597.55 and warrants #209512 through #209578 in the amount of $622,162.27 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002664 through #9000002726 in the amount of $15,001.54 were presented for approval.
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 $21,131,047.44 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of September payroll warrants #209481 through #209500 for salaries in the amount of $24,559.58, #209501 through #209511 to payroll vendors in the amount of $84,631.60, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $372,298.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,670.90, an electronic transfer in the amount of $830,015.43 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,428,931.33 for a total of $2,760,106.84 were presented for approval.
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 $560,969.33 was presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants #209479 through #209480 in the amount of $4,471.00 and #209579 in the amount of $892.52 were presented for approval.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #209580 through #209581 in the amount of $13,669.46 were presented for approval.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Report
Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $11,852,812.82 was presented for approval.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $2,882.10 was presented for approval.
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 Merle Kirkley and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Executive Session
Board Chair Phillips recessed the regular meeting to an Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110(i)(h) at 7:24 PM to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office with no action to follow. Chair Phillips stated that the Executive Session would last for approximately 15 minutes after which the Board would reconvene the regular session to proceed with the adopted agenda. Chair Phillips reconvened to regular session at 7:38 p.m.
Board Report
Dawn Cottnair, Director of Teaching and Learning, was joined by content coordinators, Brian MacNevin, Tina Mott, and Laqueta Williams, and presented a report to the board about the math, science, and literacy supports that are being provided in the NWESD region.
New and Pending Business
Appointment of Member to Regional Committee of School District Organization
Dr. Vivanco presented a Declaration of Candidacy form for David Burgess, a candidate for Regional Committee member for District #5 to serve a 4-year term on the Regional Committee for School District Organization of NWESD.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Al Erickson seconded, to approve the appointment of David Burgess to the Regional Committee on School District Organization – District #5 position. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
2025-26 NWESD Departmental SMART Goals
Dr. Vivanco shared the 2025-26 NWESD Departmental SMART Goals with the board and noted that the end of the year report will be a condensed version that shows indicators of growth.
Revised 2025-26 NWESD Official Calendar
The revised 2025-26 NWESD Official Calendar was shared with the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that the revised calendar shows the board meetings moving to Tuesdays starting in December.
Surplus Relocation/Disposal Report
The Surplus Relocation/Disposal Report for September 2025 was shared with the board.
First Reading – Policy 3425 Accommodating Students with Adrenal Insufficiency
Policy 3425, Accommodating Students with Adrenal Insufficiency, was presented to the board for a first reading.
Procedure Revision
Revisions to Procedure 2020-P, Selection and Challenge of Instructional Materials Procedures; and 3416-P, Student Medications Procedures where shared with the board.
Retired Policy & Procedure
Policy 1810, Annual Goals; and Procedure 1820-P, Evaluation of the Board Procedures, have been retired.
Tier III School Improvement Plans
Deputy Superintendent David Forsythe shared the school improvement plans for Skagit Open Doors program, Whatcom Detention Center, and the L-CAP for the Open Doors programs. The requirement of the funding states that the board must be made aware of these plans including their goals.
Business Strategy Framework Update
Tamara Shoup shared that the Strategy and Innovation Team has organizing a Business Strategy Framework 1.0 training with the AESA the end of January. Participants include leadership from other ESDs.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared Marysville and Mount Baker are making good progress. Marysville will end the year better than anticipated. They will likely exit enhanced financial oversight and return to Binding Condition status.
Mental Health Grant Lawsuit: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the Department of Education was asking to have the case dismissed. The judge agreed with the states and therefore the Department of Education cannot suspend the grants due to an order granting plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.
All Staff Advance: Dr. Vivanco invited the board to the November 13th All Staff Advance at the Swinomish Casino.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Superintendent Vivanco reported that the AESD has been working on the AESD Conference coming up in April.
Legislative Report
Dr. Vivanco shared Snohomish County had their Legislative forum on October 23, 2025. It was well attended by Snohomish County superintendents and eight legislative representatives/senators.
Equity Team
Kelly Bashaw notified the board that she would no longer be able to participate on the NWESD Equity Team. Sue Phillips noted that it would be nice to have board representation on the committee.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.
Minutes approved on November 24, 2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.