NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

October 28, 2024; 6:30 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, October 28, 2024. Board Chair Susan Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:25 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

Sue Phillips
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Alan Erickson
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley
Oscar Escalante

Staff present:

Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Fredrika Smith
Lisa Matthews
Jennifer Longchamps
Tamara Shoup

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the September 23, 2024, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2024, regular board meeting.  Motion carried. Ann McMurray abstained due to her absence at the September 23, 2024, 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
  • 7.a.ii Corrected job description for Human Resources Director

Ann McMurray moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund warrants #207266 through #207323 in the amount of $520,123.04 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000081 in the amount of $478.10 and warrants #207343 through #207413 in the amount of $550,671.21 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001696 through #9000001736 in the amount of $10,276.64 and warrants #207415 through #207416 in the amount of $325.00 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 $17,815,527.07 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of September payroll warrants #207499 through #207511 for salaries in the amount of $32,820.49, #207512 through #207521 to payroll vendors in the amount of $110,467.62, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $325,856.00, repayment of overpaid wages in the amount of ($3,903.65), reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $18,607.49, an electronic transfer in the amount of $873,243.94 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,393,880.35 for a total of $2,750,972.24 were 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 $525,099.57 was presented.

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants numbered #207498 in the amount of $3,125.00 and #207591 through #207592 in the amount of $2,022.46 were presented.  

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #207593 through #207594 in the amount of $10,210.50 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 $11,627,649.29 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $13,462.00 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 Ann McMurray and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Board Report

Les Valsquier, Director of Technology Services, shared a presentation about cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Highlights of the presentation included the uses of AI and what it does well, the risks of AI and what are the security concerns, and how the NWESD can help schools safely adopt AI.

New and Pending Business

Approval of Job Descriptions

The position description for a Project Coordinator was presented to the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that this new position is intended to help the Northwest Regional Data Center implement the Skyward Qmlativ migrations across the NWESD region. Salary is recommended at Schedule III, Range 9.

The position description for a Human Resources Director was presented to the board. Superintendent Vivanco shared that this job description is intended to replace the current Hourly Payroll/Personnel Administrator position to align duties and compensation more closing with the type of project work that is in demand from the NWESD and regional districts. Salary is recommended at Schedule V, Range I, $83.00 per hour.

Alan Erickson moved, and Oscar Escalante seconded, to approve the position descriptions for Project Coordinator and the Human Resources Director as presented. Motion carried.

Second Reading – Policy 5012, Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff

Policy 5012, Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff was presented for a second reading.

Kelly Bashaw moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve Policy 5012, Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff as presented. Motion carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Superintendent’s Report

Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared that there were no new updates for the La Conner School District since the last board meeting. They could be released out of Binding Conditions as early as December 2024.

Vivanco added that there are no new updates with the Mount Baker School District. They are still making continued progress towards Binding Condition expectations. OSPI has given them an extra year, but they may not need it. Lisa Matthews added that they ended the year with a higher fund balance than projected.

Dr. Vivanco shared an update on the Marysville School District and noted that there is a new acting interim superintendent, Dr. Dave Burgess. OSPI has appointed a special administrator, Dr. Art Jarvis to oversee and carry out financial conditions imposed on the district. Dr. Jarvis is an OSPI employee.

Vivanco added that he has responded to two formal complaints and a third that he redirected back to the school district. The Financial Oversight Committee (FOC) met on October 23, 2024. And the NWESD now has access to their financial information that allows more clarity. Any hiring requests have to be sent to the FOC.

Vivanco shared that the Marysville School District had a meeting regarding potential school closures. There is discussion on how the money saved on closing schools could be used. OSPI believes they can use the proceeds from the sale to fund their operations because they are Enhanced Financial Oversight.

Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year Presentations: Dr. Vivanco shared that he recently presented the awards to the NWESD Regional Teacher of the Year, Kelly Guilfoil, and the Classified Employee of the Year, Carla Shanks Morales. Guilfoil will be presenting at the upcoming Superintendents Advisory Committee meeting and Morales was awarded the State Classified Employee of the Year from OSPI.

District Leadership Team Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD Leadership Team has started their annual district leadership team visits. They are scheduled to meet with 11 regional school districts, mainly from Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Accreditation Presentations: Dr. Vivanco has presented two award plaques so far to Weston High School in Arlington, and Burlington-Edison High School. There are 11 remaining school plaques to deliver.

WA Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (WALAS) Conference: Dr. Vivanco shared an update about his recent attendance at the WALAS Conference. The conference included presentation from Dr. Alex Marrero, Denver Public Schools as well as a presentation from WA State Superintendent Chris Reykdal.

December Board Meeting: Dr. Vivanco reminded the board that the December board meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. immediately following the staff holiday luncheon. The board is invited to attend the luncheon.

UW Fall Superintendent Convening: Dr. Vivanco reported that he attended the UW Fall Superintendent Convening. This meeting was a continuation of a two-day summit that took place in July. Superintendent participants learned about school finance policy in Washington state and nationally, envision an ample and equitable school finance system for the state, and constructed a five-year plan for needed policy reforms.

Washington Apprenticeship Vocational Education (WAVE) Tour: Dr. Vivanco reported that area high school students explored high-demand career opportunities by participating in hands-on activities Tuesday at the WAVE tour, located this year at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.

Career Connect NW Meeting with Skagit Valley College (SVC): Dr. Vivanco shared that he met recently with Dr. Villa, SVC President, and Dave Paul, Director of Community Engagement and WA State Representative, to share the work being done through Career Connect NW and the NWESD, and to find potential partnership opportunities.

NWRDC All Staff Meeting: Vivanco shared that he recently had the opportunity to meet with all NWRDC staff and share his background and priorities. He added that the NWESD is looking at the option of hosting the next All Staff Advance in November 2025, allowing all staff to attend.

Skagit Valley College Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Taskforce: Dr. Vivanco noted that he was invited to participate as a community partner in an HSI Taskforce meeting to identify assets and strategies as part of SVC’s plan to apply to be a Hispanic-Serving Institute.  This status will provide SVC with an opportunity to access Federal grants which could lead to potential partnerships.

AESD Leadership Meeting: Vivanco shared that he just returned from the AESD Leadership meeting. During this meeting they discussed partnership evolution and the prioritization of statewide initiatives, institutional education governance, and they had a learning session about Behavioral Health/Mental Health.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

No Report

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Minutes approved on November 25, 2024, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.