NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

November 28, 2022, 4:00 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, November 28, 2022. Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 4:07 PM at the NWESD office in Anacortes, WA.

Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:

Charlie Crabtree
Ann McMurray
Susan Phillips
Alan Erickson
Mark Venn
Merle Kirkley

Staff present:

Larry Francois
Lisa Matthews
David Forsythe
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps
Tamara Shoup

Guests:  Sam Chalfant

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 24, 2022, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Merle Kirkley moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2022, regular board meeting.  Motion carried.

Comments From the Public

No public comment was provided.

Approval of Agenda

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

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund warrants 203800 through #203852 in the amount of $714,845.70 and Accounts Payable electronic wire transfer payment # 000000056 in the amount of $6,719.87 and Accounts Payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000057 in the amount of $242.51 and General Fund warrants #203873 through #203923 in the amount of $87,300.08 and Accounts Payable ACH payment #9000000442 through #9000000485 in the amount of $10,094.16 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 $11,751,837.12 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of October payroll warrants #203853 through #203860 for salaries in the amount of $31,301.57, #203861 through #203871 to payroll vendors in the amount of $29,611.58, repayment to accounts payable for Health Care Authority costs in the amount of $240,132.51, reserve for Compensated Absence reimbursement in the amount of $18,316.71, an electronic transfer in the amount of $604,452.62 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $888,197.05 for a total of $1,812,012.04 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 $246,993.24 was presented.

Approval of Labor and Industries Trust Warrants

There were no NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust warrants.  

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #203872 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 $11,477,997.54 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $2,042.69 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 reports indicating hiring of certificated employees were presented.

It was moved to approve by Sue Phillips and seconded by Alan Erickson to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Report to the Board

Sam Chalfant, Pacifica Law Group lawyer, shared a presentation about the legal hot topics for school districts. Some of the highlights included:

  • First Amendment issues in schools and the noticeable changes in the last four to five years.
  • District social media pages
  • Comments at board meetings
  • Teacher expression in the classroom
  • Employee Speech
  • Overview of Special Education specifically school refusal.

New and Pending Business

Approval of Policy Revision: Policy 1610 – Conflict of Interest

Changes to Policy 1610 – Conflict of Interest was presented to the board for approval. Superintendent Francois noted that the proposed changes are pursuant to the WSSDA model policy. The NWESD policy had not been updated in 20 years.

Ann McMurray moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the revision to Policy 1610 – Conflict of Interest as presented. Motion carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Election Results, General Election, November 8, 2022

The initial election results from the November 8, 2022, election were presented to the board. Superintendent Francois shared that Monroe School District’s replacement of their expiring school program and operations levy has passed.

Fall Enrollment October FTE Analysis

The NWESD ESD 189 Fall Enrollment report was shared with the board. Larry Francois noted that Island and Whatcom county school districts are the only two counties showing growth.

December 19, 2022, NWESD Staff Holiday Luncheon and Board Meeting

Larry Francois shared that the December board meeting has been rescheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. on December 19, 2022. The meeting will follow the NWESD Staff Holiday Luncheon which board members are invited to attend.

Superintendent’s Report

NWESD Operating Principles Update: Larry Francois shared that there is an AdHoc Committee of the Leadership Communication Council (LCC) reviewing the current operating principles for staff. The operating principles are referenced as part of policy 1620 – Superintendent/Board/Staff Relationships and Expectations. Superintendent Francois will keep the Board apprised as the work continues.

District Leadership Team Visits: Superintendent Francois shared that the Leadership Team has been visiting select school districts. To date they have visited, Sedro-Woolley, Lakewood, Blaine, and La Conner school districts. The team will be visiting the San Juan Island districts in early December.

Regional Superintendent Vacancies and Retirements: Superintendent Francois shared with the board that there will be new superintendent searches in Edmonds and Monroe school districts as they both currently have interim superintendents. Burlington-Edison School District will also have a vacancy to fill the retirement of Superintendent Browning.

AESD Legislative Priorities: Larry Francois shared the Legislative platforms and priority documents from AESD, WASA, WSSDA, WASBO, SBE, and the School Funding Coalition representing the priorities for the upcoming Legislative session. He noted that the priorities include supports and programming for behavioral and mental health, and the expansion of the regional school safety center. Also included is P-3 navigation as related to early learning, head start, and transition kindergarten programming.

The NWESD Communication Trends 2022: Superintendent Francois shared the NWESD Communication Trends 2022 Report with the Board. He noted that we have had over 11% growth in traffic to our website and commended the efforts of the NWESD Communication Specialist, Jessica Owens.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

Merle Kirkley shared updates from the most recent AESD meeting which took place at the WSSDA conference. He noted that the re-design of the network has gone very well and added that there is a sub-committee reviewing the constitution. Board member Kirkley also shared that the annual conference will take place in Renton, WA on April 12-15, 2023.

No Legislative Report

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 5:51 PM.

Minutes approved on December 19, 2022, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.