NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 19, 2026; 1:30 PM
Northwest Educational Service District | 1601 R Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221
Noon Work/Study Session: NWESD 189 Directors’ Team presented an overview of the proposed 2026-27 budget. The work session commenced at 12:20 PM and concluded at 2:06 PM.
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held in person on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Board Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 2:15 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Ann McMurray
Sue Phillips
Beth Niemi
Merle Kirkley
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the April 28, 2026, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Merle Kirkley moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2026, regular board meeting. Sue Phillips and Ann McMurray abstained from voting due to their absence at the April 28, 2026, board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Sue Phillips moved, Mark Venn seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
2026-27 Budget Hearing/Adoption
Chair Cory Duskin convened the 2026-27 Budget Approval Hearing at 2:17 PM. Notice of the hearing was published in the Skagit Valley Herald on May 2 and May 9, 2026.
Superintendent Vivanco noted for the record that the proposed 2026-27 NWESD Budget was reviewed and recommended for approval by both the Superintendents Executive Committee and the Superintendents Advisory Committee. In addition, the board received an overview during a work session before convening this meeting; the presentations by directors and staff were thorough with questions and discussion. Citizens were provided an opportunity to make comments for and against the budget proposal.
No citizens provided comment, and the formal budget hearing was closed at 2:18 PM.
Approval of Resolution 2026-03, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Resolution 2026-03, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, was presented.
Sue Phillips moved, and Ann McMurray seconded to approve Resolution 2026-03 adopting the 2026-27 NWESD General Fund Budget as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of General Fund warrants #210404 through #210473 in the amount of $680,162.43 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000103 in the amount of $7,128.52 and warrants #210489 through #210556 in the amount of $549,044.88 accounts payable ACH payment #9000004002 through #9000004085 in the amount of $20,570.31 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 $22,755,092.05 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval ofApril payroll warrants #210474 through #210479 for salaries in the amount of $16,480.76, #210480 through #210488 to payroll vendors in the amount of $72,125.32, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $389,772.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,694.92, an electronic transfer in the amount of $819,735.94 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,405,017.28 for a total of $2,722,826.22 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 $583,765.27 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 #210403 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 $11,984,224.83 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 hiring, separation from employment, 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 Ann McMurray and seconded by Sue Phillips to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
New and Pending Business
Board Member Resignation
Effective May 19, 2026, Dr. Jack Thompson resigned his position as a member of the NWESD Board of Directors serving District #1.
Sue Phillips moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the resignation of board member Dr. Jack Thompson and acknowledge the vacancy as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the Board for review.
April 28, 2026, Special Election; Certified Ballot Results
Superintendent Vivanco shared the certified ballot results from the April 28, 2026, Special Election and noted that Lynden School Districts capital project/facility levy failed.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the Mount Baker School District may receive a new Binding Conditions letter as the district may not be able to meet the 4% fund balance requirement. Marysville continues to progress.
Business Strategy Framework: Superintendent Vivanco reported that departments are preparing their goals for the 2026-27 year and will be shared with the Board in October.
WASA Superintendent Conference: Superintendent Vivanco provided a summary from the WASA Superintendent Conference that he attended earlier this month.
May 8, 2026, SAC Meeting: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the last in-person SAC meeting for the 2025-26 school year focused on human resource related issues. District superintendents were joined by their human resources directors/staff.
AESD Accreditation: Dr. Vivanco provided an update on latest accreditation panels, noting that about 25 districts went through either initial or renewal accreditation. The Board discussed the benefits of the Accreditation program and the growth of the program.
NRLC Graduation: Jodie DesBiens noted that NRLC graduation is happening on June 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. and invited Board members to attend.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Superintendent Vivanco provided an AESD update and noted that the AESD Leadership group met today. The focus of the meeting was reviewing legislative priorities and the AESD proposed budget. The AESD Chair, Dale McDaniel and Jessica Vavrus will attend an upcoming NWESD Board meeting.
Legislative Report
Vivanco shared an update that there is interest in exploring liability reform efforts by education advocates due to rapidly rising insurance costs.
Board Retreat Planning
Superintendent Vivanco shared there was interest in adding a Board retreat to the 2026-27 meeting schedule. He suggested adding a retreat prior to an existing Board meeting.
Executive Session
At 2:41 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 2:45 p.m. and will conclude at 3:05 p.m. The Board reconvened into public session at 3:05 p.m. and no action was taken.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 PM.
Minutes approved on June 16, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.