NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
April 28, 2025; 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, April 28, 2025. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:29 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Jack Thompson
Ann McMurray
Kelly Bashaw
Merle Kirkley (Zoom)
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Dr. Fredrika Smith
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jennifer Longchamps
Les Valsquier
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 24, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2025, regular board meeting as presented. Motion carried.
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 #208382 through #208442 in the amount of $595,688.30 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000088 in the amount of $1,670.18 and warrants #208459 through #208539 in the amount of $746,140.98 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002210 through #9000002286 in the amount of $22,249.71 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 $20,907,558.08 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of March payroll warrants #208444 through #208449 for salaries in the amount of $20,680.19, #208444 through #208449 to payroll vendors in the amount of $61,534.76, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $356,880.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,348.98, an electronic transfer in the amount of $884,498.41 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,425,646.02 for a total of $2,768,588.36 were presented for approval.
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 $544,557.45 was presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
The NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #208443 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented for approval.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #208540 in the amount of $2,064.30 was presented for approval.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Report
Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $11,726,598.67 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 terminations, hiring , and reclassification of certificated employees was presented for approval.
It was moved by Kelly Bashaw and seconded by Jack Thompson to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Board Report
Henry Strom and Maxine Alex from the OSPI Office of Native Education provided a presentation introducing the work of the Office of Native Education (ONE) program.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Revision to Procedure 6213-P, Reimbursement for Expenses Procedures
Revisions to Procedure 6213-P – Reimbursement for Expenses Procedures was shared with the board. Dr. Vivanco noted that the addition to this procedure will provide an exemption to the per diem requirements for staff when they are traveling with the board.
2025-26 Board Report Topics
Superintendent Vivanco shared suggested topics for the board meeting presentations for the 2025-26 board meetings. The board input will be collated and a schedule for next year will be presented at the May 19, 2025, board meeting for approval.
Surplus Disposal Report
The surplus disposal report from February and March, 2025, was shared with the board.
Work Station Exemption Request Form
Dr. Vivanco shared the Work Station Exemption Request form and noted that this form provides a process for supervisors to request an alternate official work location other than the NWESD main office in Anacortes for their staff.
Superintendent Evaluation
Dr. Vivanco shared the superintendent evaluation timeline with the board. He shared that in March staff were provided an opportunity to share their feedback regarding the superintendent’s performance. This feedback has been shared with the board. Following this meeting the superintendent evaluation tool will be sent to each board member for their completion. The individual evaluation results will be compiled, and the final evaluation will take place at the May board meeting. The superintendent contract terms will take place at the June board meeting.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update on the two districts in our region that are currently in Binding Conditions. The Mount Baker School District continues to make progress. There is a Financial Oversight Committee meeting tomorrow for the Marysville School District. Vivanco added that interim superintendent, Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh is making changes that will benefit the district in the long run.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance, Lisa Matthews provided a brief update of the regional districts’ financial health and the future outlook of other districts possibly entering binding conditions next year.
Legislative Update: Dr. Vivanco shared with the board that the Legislative session ended on April 27, 2025. Vivanco shared an overview of the 2025-27 Operating Budget including its impacts to K-12 education and ESD’s.
SAC Executive Committee Meeting: Dr. Vivanco shared that the April SAC Executive Committee meeting was scheduled for April 30, 2025. During this meeting the Executive Committee hears the NWESD 2025-26 budget presentation. Given the timing of the state budget announcement, the SAC Executive Committee meeting has been rescheduled for May 5, 2025. This will allow the NWESD Leadership Team time to prepare the NWESD budget presentation in response to the state budget. Vivanco added a reminder that the May board meeting is taking place on May 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. starting with a work session, followed by the budget hearing and regular board meeting.
Regional Superintendent Transitions Update: Dr. Vivanco shared some of the recent superintendent transitions taking place in the NWESD region. Dr. Chris Granger, currently from the Blaine School District, will be replacing retiring superintendent, Dan Chaplik at the Sultan School District. The Blaine School District will be hiring an interim superintendent for the 2025-26 school year. Brian Isakson will likely continue as the interim superintendent for the Sedro-Woolley School District. Ryan Ovenell is currently serving as the interim superintendent for the Stanwood-Camano School District and will likely continue in that role for next year. Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh, formally of the Stanwood-Camano School District is now acting as the interim superintendent for the Marysville School District. Jessica Schenck has been hired as the new superintendent for the Mount Baker School District. Dr. Jo Moccia is retiring from the South Whidbey School District. Becky Clifford, previously from the Anacortes School District will be replacing Dr. Moccia. And, Dr. Miriam Mickelson, formally of the Sedro Woolley School District is now in the Eugene School District in Oregon.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Merle Kirkley shared a recap of the AESD Annual Conference.
Executive Session
Board Chair Phillips recessed the regular meeting to an Executive Session at 7:45 PM to review the performance of a public employee. Chair Phillips stated that the Executive Session would last for approximately 20 minutes and no action would be taken when the regular meeting was reconvened. Chair Phillips reconvened the regular meeting and immediately moved to adjournment.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 PM.
Minutes approved on May 19,2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.