NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

February 26, 2024; 7:00 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, February 26, 2024. Board Vice Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 6:51 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

Cory Duskin
Merle Kirkley
Jack Thompson
Oscar Escalante (Zoom)
Ann McMurray (Zoom)

Staff present:

Larry Francois
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the January 22, 2024, regular board meeting and the February 15, 2024, special board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2024, regular board meeting and the February 15, 2024, special board meeting.  Motion carried.

Comments From the Public

No public comment was provided.

Approval of Agenda

Additions to the agenda were identified as:

  • 7.h Approval of Additional Out-of-State Travel

Ann McMurray moved, and Oscar Escalante seconded, to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund warrants #205955 through #206006 in the amount of $465,896.55 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000073 in the amount of $2,914.18 and warrants #206025 through #206074 in the amount of $527,880.19 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001153 through #9000001221 in the amount of $20,669.77 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 $17,063,370.83 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of January payroll warrants #206135 through #206140 for salaries in the amount of $18,499.36, #206141 through #206151 to payroll vendors in the amount of $39,664.00, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $284,975.01, refund of American Fidelity and long term disability premiums in the amount of ($4,645.02), reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $14,531.49, an electronic transfer in the amount of $715,780.91 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,144,731.45 for a total of $2,213,537.20 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 equity in the amount of $498,984.21 was presented.

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant

Approval of the NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #206204 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented.  

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #206205 in the amount of $2,694.17 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 $11,711,770.57 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $37,372.72 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.

Approval of Annual Sick Leave Buy Back

Annual Sick Leave Buyback in the amount of $13,740.08 was presented

It was moved by Merle Kirkley and seconded by Oscar Escalante to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.

Board Report

David Forsythe, NWESD Assistant Superintendent for Operations, provided an overview of the AESD Accreditation program. Highlights from the presentation include:

  • AESD Accreditation History
  • The Accreditation Process
  • The Growth of Accreditation & Financial Model
  • Challenges & Opportunities

New and Pending Business

Approval of Superintendent Contract for Employment

The Contract to employ Dr. Ismael Vivanco as the NWESD Superintendent for a period commencing on July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027, was presented for approval.

Merle Kirkley moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the Contract of Employment for the NWESD Superintendent as presented. Motion carried.

Approval of New Position Description

The new position description for the Program Support Technician was presented to the board for review. Superintendent Francois noted that this position will work with the Special Programs and Services department in their work with high-risk students and/or students with disabilities by assisting with providing training, consultation, and technical assistance to districts, and support to Program Specialists in providing work-based learning activities and experiences for students. Salary is recommended at Schedule II, Range 10.

Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the new position of Program Support Technician as presented. Motion carried.

Policy Revision 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum

Revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum, were presented to the board for review. Superintendent Francois noted that the only change to the policy is the meeting start time of the regular board meetings, changing the start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Jack Thompson moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum, as presented. Motion carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Surplus Disposal Report

The January 2024 Surplus Disposal report was presented to the board for review.

Staffing and Enrollment to Budget Comparison

Superintendent Francois shared with the board a report comparing staffing to enrollment in the NWESD regional school districts. He noted that the enrollment column represents what districts budgeted for their FTE vs their actual enrollment numbers in December.  The staffing columns show actual district staffing levels versus budgeted levels.

2023 NWESD Employee Engagement Survey Data

Superintendent Francois shared the 2023 NWESD Employee Engagement Survey Data and shared that the overall response was positive. We had the highest number of responses ever at nearly 60% of NWESD staff. Connecting with offsite program staff continues to be an area of growth.

AESD Legislative Priorities Letters of Support

Larry Francois shared two letters that the AESD signed in support of current legislative priorities. These letters request support for dedicated funding to OSPI for continued professional development in inclusionary practices and MTSS and support and funding for Senate Bill 6216 to establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health programs.

Certified February 13, 2024, Levy and Bond Election Results

Superintendent Francois shared with the board the certified levy and bond election results from the February 13, 2024, election. Francois noted that there is some concern with Lakewood School District on their levy failures, and he will be meeting with that superintendent to discuss further.  Most of the EPO and capital levy measures passed, but only one of six bond measures passed.

Superintendent’s Report

Regional Superintendent Transitions Update: Larry Francois shared that Josh Middleton, Granite Falls school district superintendent, will be retiring this year. Dana Geaslen, current Assistant Superintendent in the Edmonds School District, has been selected as his replacement. Phil Brockman is serving as the interim superintendent for the Mt. Baker School District. The Mt. Baker School Board has decided to continue with an interim superintendent for the remainder of this year and all of the 2024-25 school year. Coupeville and Lake Stevens school district superintendents will be resigning and retiring, respectively, at the end of the school year. Brady Smith is serving as the interim superintendent for Lopez Island School District, and the Mount Vernon School District now has a superintendent vacancy.

Report on February 12, 2024, Meeting with Marysville School District Leadership, OSPI Leadership, and Labor Union Leadership: Superintendent Francois shared that he met with OSPI Leadership, Marysville School District Leadership, and the Marysville Union Leadership on February 12 to further discuss the financial analysis that the NWESD completed on behalf of the District. Francois added that his attendance was to serve as an objective and neutral party. There was positive feedback on our report from all parties. Hopefully, our analysis will bring the two sides to some common ground so that they can close the gap of their disagreement on the scope of the District’s financial challenges.

ECEAP Contractor Application Update: Superintendent Francois shared an update on the ECEAP Contractor Application. We have applied for 100 ECEAP early childhood slots.  If granted, we would subcontract with Bellingham and Ferndale school districts to provide services. We will be notified after the conclusion of the current legislative session on March 7, 2024, on the status of our application.

Director District #1 Applicant: Larry Francois shared that the NWESD has received an application for the Director District #1 position from Kelly Bashaw who recently ended her service on the Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors after four terms. Francois will send the application to the entire board via email. Kelly will be invited for an interview at the March board meeting.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

Board member Merle Kirkley reported updates on the upcoming AESD Annual Conference. Those board members who expressed interest in attending have been registered and room reservations have been confirmed. Kirkley added the AESD is now accepting Award of Distinction nominations. Board members were informed of the nomination process and deadline. Kirkley will assemble the NWESD board raffle basket for the conference and will connect with the board members individually for a theme and/or contributions.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM

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