NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
April 28, 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, April 28, 2026. Board Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Kelly Bashaw
Alan Erickson
Beth Niemi
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Ben La Tray
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the March 24, 2026, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Kelly Bashaw moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the minutes of the March 24, 2026, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Mark Venn moved, Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of General Fund warrants #210255 through #210311 in the amount of $598,485.71 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000102 in the amount of $4,360.27 and warrants #210330 through #210402 in the amount of $389,662.31 accounts payable ACH payment #9000003051 through #9000003118 in the amount of $17,039.84 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 $22,509,719.67 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of March payroll warrants #210314 through #210319 for salaries in the amount of $15,693.91, #210320 through #210329 to payroll vendors in the amount of $83,719.56, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $391,475.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,886.18, an electronic transfer in the amount of $825,229.59 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,421,158.20 for a total of $2,757,162.44 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 $579,878.43 was presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #210312 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #210313 in the amount of $2,614.23 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 $11,800,058.10 was presented for approval.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
No Out-of-State Travel requests were presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Report indicating separation from employment, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees was presented for approval.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
No Election of Certificated Staff indicating hiring and separation from employment of certificated employees was presented.
It was moved by Alan Erickson and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Superintendent Vivanco provided an update on the professional development opportunities that are being offered by the NWESD. Highlights from the presentation included trends in enrollment, overview of professional learning activities from 2024-25 and 2025-current, next steps and the focus moving forward.
New and Pending Business
Approval of Position Description
A revised position description for the Online Learning Coordinator was presented to the Board for approval. Superintendent Vivanco shared that the position description has been updated to better reflect the current duties and needs of the Teaching and Learning Department. Salary is recommended to align with the other Teaching and Learning Coordinators.
Mark Venn moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the revisions to the Online Learning Coordinator job description, as presented. Motion carried.
Policy 2520 – Professional Development Activities (rescinded)
Policy 2520 – Professional Development Activities was shared with the Board with the request to rescind the policy. Dr. Vivanco shared that WSSDA no longer has this policy as part of their model policy and the NWESD no longer uses the Professional Development Coordinating Council (PDCC) as it’s clock hour decision making body.
Mark Venn moved, and Beth Niemi seconded, to rescind Policy 2520 – Professional Development Activities as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the Board for review.
2026-27 Board Report Topics
Superintendent Vivanco shared a draft of the proposed 2026-27 Board Report Topics with the Board. He noted the possible placeholders for a board retreat.
Accreditation Third Year Review Panels 2027
Superintendent Vivanco shared some possible scheduling options for the 2027 Accreditation 3rd Year Review Panels.
Sound Transit Facilities Update
Superintendent Vivanco provided an update to the Board about the light rail expansion in the Everett area that could impact the WSIPC/NWRDC facility.
Surplus Disposal Report
Per Policy 6881 – Disposal of Surplus Equipment/Materials, the Board received a report listing the disposition of NWESD surplus equipment and/or materials.
Anticipated School District Bond/Levy Measures for April 28, 2026, Special Election
Dr. Vivanco shared a report listing the anticipated school district bond/levy measures for the April 28, 2026, Special Election. He noted that the Lynden School District is the only district in the NWESD region running a capitol project levy.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared we continue to monitor the districts in Binding Conditions. Deputy Superintendent, Lisa Matthews, added that the NWESD is providing some additional support to the Mount Baker School District as requested by the district. Superintendent Vivanco will be meeting with Superintendents to discuss the financial status of the districts and to engage in conversations on how the NWESD can partner in support of the districts.
Business Strategy Framework: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD is continuing to establish a consistent process for reviewing budget proposals to ensure accuracy, compliance, and alignment with funding requirements.
Superintendent Evaluation: Superintendent Vivanco shared a summary of his year-end goals.
WSSDA DA 1 Meeting: Superintendent Vivanco shared that he attended the WSSDA DA 1 meeting in Arlington. The focus was on growing relationships with legislators.
Regional Visits: Dr. Vivanco provided an update on recent professional learning sessions that he visited regarding Behavioral health and MTSS training as well as a visit to the Skagit Detention program, the Limitless Learning Network, and the Waldron Island School (K-8).
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Superintendent Vivanco provided an update from the AESD Conference. Board members Mark Venn and Beth Niemi commented on their take aways from the conference.
Legislative Report
Vivanco shared that the millionaire tax is being challenged and will now begin moving through the courts. He noted the recent Seattle Times editorial highlighting the concerns about the state budget.
Board Retreat Planning
Cory Duskin shared that at the last meeting there was interest in adding a board retreat to the 2026-27 meeting schedule. Possible options for a retreat were discussed; conversations and planning will continue at upcoming board meeting.
Executive Session
At 7:45 p.m. Chair Duskin announced the Board will convene in executive session after a brief break to discuss the performance of a public employee per RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Duskin announced that the executive session will begin at 7:50 p.m. and will conclude at 8:20 p.m. At 8:20 p.m. the Chair announced a 10-minute extension to the executive session noting the Board will reconvene into public meeting at 8:30 p.m. No action was taken.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Minutes approved on May 19, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.