NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

November 27, 2023; 6:15 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, November 27, 2023. Board Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 6:13 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

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

Staff present:

Larry Francois
David Forsythe
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 23, 2023, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Mark Venn moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2023, regular board meeting.  Motion carried.

Comments From the Public

No public comment was provided.

Approval of Agenda

Additions to the agenda were identified as:

  • 6.a.i. Approval of Superintendent Search Timeline
  • 8.b. Preliminary Discussion of Incoming Superintendent Contract Terms

Sue Phillips moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund warrants #205652 through #205738 in the amount of $963,681.90 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000071 in the amount of $3,530.07 and warrants #205759 through #205819 in the amount of $221,619.61 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001014 through #9000001082 in the amount of $15,648.85 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 $13,578,106.89 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of October payroll warrants #205740 through #205746 for salaries in the amount of $16,461.04, #205747 through #205758 to payroll vendors in the amount of $63,401.80, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $284,358.83, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $14,215.67, an electronic transfer in the amount of $710,588.50 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,110,268.78 for a total of   $2,199,294.62 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 $487,279.14 was presented.  

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #205820 in the amount of $129.99 was presented.

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #205739 in the amount of $2,004.17, and #205821 in the amount of $112.77 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 $11,682,275.84 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $4,025.00 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 Merle Kirkley to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

New and Pending Business

Update on Superintendent Search Process

Dr. Wayne Robertson, Northwest Leadership Associates Search Consultant, presented an update to the board on the current superintendent search process. The board reviewed the presented NWESD Superintendent Search Calendar including the addition of a special meeting on February 12, 2024, to conduct the interviews of the superintendent candidates.

Merle Kirkley moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the NWESD Superintendent Search Calendar as presented. Motion carried.

Policy Revisions

Policy 1620 – Board/Superintendent Relations and Board/Staff Communications

Revisions to Policy 1620 – Board/Superintendent Relations and Board/Staff Communications were presented to the board for review. Superintendent Francois shared that the updates to this policy are in response to the creation of the NWESD Core Values Statements which replaced the Operating Principles.

Policy 5401 – Sick Leave

Revisions to Policy 5401 – Sick Leave were presented to the board for review. Superintendent Francois noted that the request adds for the care of a household member who relies on an NWESD employee for care.

Mark Venn moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 1620, Board/Superintendent Relations and Board/Staff Communications, and Policy 5401, Sick Leave, as presented. Motion carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Surplus Disposal Report

The Surplus Disposal Report for the month of October 2023, was presented to the board for review.

Procedure Revision

Revisions to Procedure 1620-P, Superintendent/Board/Staff Relationships and Expectations Procedures were shared with the board for review.

Regional Enrollment Trends

Superintendent Francois shared the enrollment trends for the NWESD districts, counties, and region. He noted three observations from the data: 1) Overall, the NWESD regional enrollment remains down about 5,000 FTE from pre-pandemic levels; 2) Marysville School District has lost over 4% enrollment over the past year presenting further financial challenges and could see its student FTE decline in the future; 3) There is stronger growth in the outlying areas like Darrington and Concrete, most likely due to more affordable housing.

SEBB Eligibility and Program Rates for NWESD Board Members

Superintendent Francois shared that beginning January 1, 2024, all ESDs will be moving from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) to the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). With that change, the NWESD Board members will have the option to individually enroll in the SEBB program medical, dental, and vision coverage. For board members serving a term, they can participate on a self-pay basis.

NWESD Region November 7, 2023, Election Results

Larry Francois shared the election results from the November 7, 2023, election. South Whidbey School District has passed its proposed bond.

Superintendent’s Report

Update on Leadership Team Visits with Regional Superintendents: Larry Francois shared that the NWESD Leadership Team has completed more district visits. The leadership team has received very positive feedback about the services that the NWESD provides.

Update on Binding Conditions Collaboration with OSPI: Superintendent Francois shared an update on the binding conditions collaboration with OSPI. The NWESD had its first quarterly review meeting with the La Conner School District earlier in the day. Francois added that while it was informative, there wasn’t much tangible data to look at. La Conner School District ended up in binding conditions because they had projected a negative fund balance in their initial budgeting. They are currently in better shape and expected to exit binding conditions later this year.

Francois shared that the Marysville School District is more of a concern. Their first quarterly review meeting is scheduled for November 30, 2023. State Superintendent Reykdal and his leadership team will be attending the meeting in person to emphasize the significance of Marysville’s situation.

The Mount Baker School District is currently in engaging in staff and community conversations to help inform necessary budget reductions.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Horizons Grant Application: Larry Francois shared that the NWESD recently applied for a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Horizons Grant. If awarded, this grant would provide supports to encourage more students to pursue postsecondary education. The Mount Vernon School District is the primary partner in this grant. Francois noted that if awarded the full grant amount, it would be $1.8 million per year for a 3-year term. This would be a big win for the Mount Vernon School District, the NWESD, and other districts that would also benefit.

Business Strategy Framework Presentation: Superintendent Francois provided an update on the AESA Business Strategy Framework Training. The panel presentations will be taking place on December 7, 2023. Board members are invited to serve as panel members.

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 attend the staff luncheon.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

Larry Francois shared an update from the AESD Executive Board meeting. There was a decision made by the Executive Board to continue the historic practice of rotating the AESD Annual Conference to each ESD region rather than hosting the conference annually at the same venue or designated eastside and westside venues.

Preliminary Discussion of Incoming Superintendent Contract Terms

The Board reviewed current and historical NWESD 189 Superintendent contract and compensation provisions as well as comparative ESD superintendent salary data and reached a consensus to list a total annual compensation range of $275,000-$305,000 in the NWESD 189 Superintendent posting.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM

Minutes approved on December 18, 2023, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.