NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
February 24, 2026; 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 Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Board Vice-Chair Kelly Bashaw called the meeting to order at 6:28 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Elizabeth Niemi
Mark Venn
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley
Ann McMurray
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Lisa Matthews
David Forsythe
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Donny Fraser
Jordan Becraft
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the January 27, 2026, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Merle Kirkley moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the minutes of the January 27, 2026, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Ann McMurray moved, Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of General Fund warrants #209988 through #210056 in the amount of $726,851.04 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000100 in the amount of $3,780.14 and warrants #210075 through #210118 in the amount of $490,171.73 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002948 through #9000002993 in the amount of $10,655.27 were presented for approval.
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 $22,580,975.81 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of January payroll warrants #210058 through #210065 for salaries in the amount of $17,439.63, #210066 through #210074 to payroll vendors in the amount of $68,777.61, adjustment of employee wages for unpaid leave $72.63, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $383,831.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,686.07, an electronic transfer in the amount of $807,962.24 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,400,913.75 for a total of $2,698,682.93 were presented.
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 $573,575.63 was presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
No NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #210057 in the amount of $2,126.22 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 $11,851,271.45 was presented for approval.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
No Out-of-State Travel was presented.
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.
Approval of Annual Sick Leave Buy Back
Approval of Annual Sick Leave Buy Back in the amount of $25,998.85 was presented.
It was moved by Merle Kirkley and seconded by Sue Phillips to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Donny Fraser, Program Administrator for Whatcom Discovery, and Jordan Becraft, Dean of Students for Whatcom Discovery, presented an overview of the NWESD Discovery programs.
New and Pending Business
Policy Revisions
Policy 1111; Oath of Office
Revisions to Policy 1111 – Oath of Office were presented to the board for approval. Dr. Vivanco noted that these revisions were needed to comply with RCW 28A.343.360.
Policy 5010; Discrimination-Free Workplace
Revisions to Policy 5010 – Discrimination-Free Workplace were presented to the board for approval. Dr. Vivanco noted that these revisions were needed to align with WSSDA Model Policy and to help distinguish from other similar named policies.
Policy 5011; Sexual Harassment of NWESD 189 Staff Prohibited
Revisions to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of NWESD 189 Staff Prohibited was presented to the board for approval. Dr. Vivanco noted that these revisions were made to update the nondiscrimination statement and include protected classes in Washington.
Sue Phillips moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 1111-Oath of Office; Policy 5010 – Discrimination-Free Workplace; and Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of NWESD 189 Staff Prohibited as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Certified February 10, 2026, Levy and Bond Election Results
Superintendent Vivanco shared with the board the certified levy and bond election results from the February 10, 2026, election. Vivanco noted that a majority of the districts running bonds and levies passed. Mukilteo and Monroe school districts ran bonds that failed, and Darrington School District ran an EP&O levy that failed.
Procedure Revision: 5010-P – Discrimination-Free Workplace
Revisions to Procedure 5010-P – Discrimination-Free Workplace were shared with the board.
2026-27 Draft NWESD Calendar
Dr. Vivanco shared a draft of the 2026-27 NWESD Official Calendar and requested the board to review and note the dates of the board meetings. This calendar does not include a Board retreat. Superintendent noted the adjusted Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC) meeting schedule which was in response to feedback from the SAC.
Cascade Bicycle Club Donation
Superintendent Vivanco shared an update on the donation from the Cascade Bicycle Club to the NWESD for the Bicycle Education Program. The NWESD is now operating six bicycle trailers each containing 30 bicycles. The program provides services to the following school districts: Darrington, Concrete, Blaine, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Sultan, Ferndale, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley, Conway, Monroe, Lake Stevens, Orcas Island, and Lummi Nation School.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared there were no additional updates on Binding Conditions and that the districts continue to make progress to eventually exiting Binding Conditions.
Business Strategy Framework: Superintendent Vivanco shared the Business Strategy Framework training will take place on March 17 and 18, 2026.
Superintendent Vacancies: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the Anacortes, Index, and Sedro-Woolley school districts are currently searching for new superintendents.
WSSDA DA1 Regional Meeting: Superintendent Vivanco informed the board WSSDA is hosting its next District Area 1 Regional Meeting on April 20, 2026, in Arlington, WA. These meetings provide a platform for networking and discussing pertinent topics and information.
Accreditation: Dr. Vivanco shared that the west side panel presentations are taking place on May 12 -13, 2026 in Tumwater and invited any interested board member who would like to participate to let him know.
District Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update of the Cabinet Team district visits. The team is visiting one third of the NWESD regional districts. The Board would like to receive a summary report noting any common themes from the district visits.
Mental Health Grant: Vivanco shared an update of the mental health grant. He noted that while the litigation decisions are favorable so far, we are still uncertain of the long-term impact.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Merle Kirkley shared that the AESD Annual Conference starts April 15, 2026.
Legislative Report
Kelly Bashaw shared concerns of the state of the budget and declining enrollment.
Superintendent Vivanco shared an update from OSPI and noted the proposed education cuts despite continued underfunding, reducing opportunities for students statewide. Vivanco added that the proposed Millionare’s Tax (SB 6346) does not guarantee money for K-12. And, regarding HB 2257, Sales Tax on Services, Vivanco noted this proposal would exempt K-12 schools and ESD’s from sales tax – it did not advance but is expected to be considered necessary to implement the budget.
Audit Report
Jack Thompson shared an update about his conversation with the state auditor and his concern of the impact of the upcoming staffing changes on the fiscal department.
Executive Session
At 7:40 p.m. the Vice Chair Bradshaw announced the board will enter to executive session to discuss AESD Executive board positions per RCW 42.30.110(h), and that the board will reconvene into the public meeting at 7:50 p.m. Executive session began at 7:40 p.m. Upon review, it was determined the criteria were not met for executive session, and the board returned to open session immediately to discuss ASESD Executive Board positions.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Minutes approved on March 24, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.