NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
Noon Work/Study Session: NWESD 189 Directors’ Team presented an overview of the proposed 2023-24 budget
MINUTES
May 22, 2023; 1:30 p.m.
Northwest Educational Service District
1601 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held in person on Monday, May 22, 2023. Board Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 2:12 PM at the NWESD office in Anacortes, WA.
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Members present:
Charlie Crabtree
Cory Duskin
Susan Phillips
Merle Kirkley
Mark Venn
Oscar Escalante
Ann McMurray
Jack Thompson
Staff present:
Larry Francois
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Deka Smith
Fran McCarthy
Sarah Southard
Jennifer Longchamps
Jodie DesBiens
Lynn Lynch
Les Valsquier
Rose Oliver
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the April 24, 2023, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Jack Thompson moved, and Oscar Escalante seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2023, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Additions to the agenda were identified as 7.i Approval of Personnel Report, 7.j Approval of Election of Certificated Staff, 9.f 2023-24 Board Report Topics, and 9.g 2024 NWESD Classified Employee of the Year. Merle Kirkley moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
2023-24 Budget Hearing/Adoption
Chair Crabtree convened the 2023-24 Budget Approval Hearing at 2:14 PM. Notice of the hearing was published in the Skagit Valley Herald on May 5 and 12, 2023.
Larry Francois noted for the record that the proposed 2023-24 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 in a work session prior to 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 2:15 PM.
Approval of Resolution 2023-02, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24
Resolution 2023-02, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24, was presented.
Merle Kirkley moved and Mark Venn seconded to approve Resolution 2023-02 adopting the 2023-24 NWESD General Fund Budget as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #204657 through #204732 in the amount of $812,129.38 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000065 in the amount of $1,791.10 and warrants #204750 through #204809 in the amount of $214,764.51 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000000707 through #9000000768 in the amount of $14,221.77 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 $13,555,518.58 was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of April payroll warrants #204734 through #204739 for salaries in the amount of $13,864.11, #204740 through #204749 to payroll vendors in the amount of $32,410.18, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $257,842.99, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $13,004.67 an electronic transfer in the amount of $621,332.05 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $938,350.27 for a total of $1,876,804.27 was presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrants
No NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrants were presented.
Approval of Labor and Industries Financial Report
Approval of the NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $447,519.84 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants #204733 in the amount of $23,000.00 and #204810 in the amount of $1,776.83 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Report
Approval of the draft Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $11,933,389.05 was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $10,429.70 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.
It was moved by Mark Venn and seconded by Sue Phillips to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
New and Pending Business
New Position Description
The new position description for the Regional Bicycle Education Administrative Coordinator was presented to the board. Superintendent Francois noted that this position is intended to support the day-to-day administrative operations of the Bicycle Education program. This new program is funded by the Cascade Bicycle Group. They received 16 years of funding as part of the 2022 transportation plan adopted by the Legislature. The upcoming year is a planning year with limited program implementation. The NWESD is one of two ESD’s that will help develop the program for both our region and a regional model for the state. The program will be focusing on small to medium-sized districts. The salary for this position is recommended at Schedule 1, Range 17, in line with other administrative support roles at the NWESD.
Ann McMurray moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the new Regional Bicycle Education Administrative Coordinator position as presented. Motion carried.
Policy Revisions
Revisions to Policy 4210 – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises was presented to the board.
Revisions to Policy 5001 – Hiring and Employment of Retired School Employees was presented to the board.
Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 4210, Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises, and Policy 5001, Hiring and Employment of Retired School Employees as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
April 25, 2023, Special Election; Final Certified Results
Suggested 2023-23 board report topics were presented to the board for review.
First Reading – Policy 5161, Civility in the Workplace
Policy 5161, Civility in the Workplace, was presented for first reading. This is a new policy introduced by WSSDA. Superintendent Francois noted that the NWESD is fortunate to not have many of the same challenges that our school districts have. Given that, the NWESD is not immune to the possibility of contentious situations and uncivil behavior. This new policy complements our trauma-informed care work as well as our new value statements.
2023 ESD Board Elections
Superintendent Francois shared that there is a change to the ESD Board Election process. The change in the law stipulates that WSSDA will manage the ESD elections. WSSDA is working to manage all of its elections simultaneously. More information will be shared as information becomes available. Elections will be facilitated electronically.
Superintendent’s Report
Update on Concrete School District: Larry Francois shared that Superintendent Wayne Barrett passed away in a traffic accident. Carrie Crickmore is serving as the interim superintendent. Larry has worked with Interim Superintendent Crickmore and the Concrete School Board with the transition. There is a memorial service on June 6, 2023, at the Concrete School District.
Regional Superintendent Vacancy Update: Larry Francois noted that all previously reported regional superintendent vacancies have been filled. Dr. Erin Murphy was hired as the new superintendent for the Lakewood School District. Index School District retained Allan Bredy to serve as its new superintendent.
2023 AESD Accreditation Panels De-Brief: Superintendent Francois shared that he, Sue Phillips, David Forsythe, and Deka Smith attended the accreditation panels in Tumwater. He noted that serving on the panels is an interesting experience to learn about the great work being done in schools.
WASA Region 108 Recognition of AESD Accreditation Statewide Coordinator, Bob Estes: Larry Francois shared that during the WASA 108 Regional Award Banquet, the group recognized Bob Estes for his work with the accreditation program.
2023 August Advance for NWESD Staff: Larry Francois shared that the 2023 NWESD All Staff Advance is scheduled for August 23, 2023, and will be held at the Anacortes High School Commons. The agenda for the advance is still being planned. Board members are invited to attend.
2023-24 Board Report Topics
The compiled results from the survey to the board regarding potential 2023-24 board report topics were presented to the board for review. The top 10 topics will be brought to the Directors’ Team who will design a final report schedule and share it at a future board meeting.
2024 NWESD Classified Employee of the Year
Larry Francois shared that Brenda Flett, a paraeducator at Post Middle School in Arlington Public School District was selected as the NWESD 2024 Classified Employee of the Year. The Teaching of the Year awards will be announced in the next two weeks.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
Merle Kirkley shared that Carl Johnson, a longtime OESD board member passed away recently. He was vital to the AESD network and dedicated to the mission of ESDs.
2023-24 AESD Budgets and ESD Network Contributions
Superintendent Francois shared the 2023-24 AESD Budgets and AESD Network Contributions with the board. Francois noted the changes in the upcoming budgets seem significant but are in line with the work that is being done. The increases are reflective of an increase in program evaluation, AESD Canvas online learning platform, and overall inflation. Francois also noted that during the pandemic the AESD network had more revenue that offset its expenses. The cost-sharing formula was recently updated and the original budget was split into two separate budgets. The AESD Association Budget covers board-related activities including the annual conference. The AESD Network Budget covers the collaborative work of Jessica Vavrus, the ESD’s and OSPI.
AESA National Conference
Larry Francois shared that the AESA National Conference is scheduled for November 29 – December 1, 2023, in Anaheim, CA. Some staff from the NWESD will be facilitating a breakout session sharing how we have grown and expanded our mental health and behavioral health supports.
Executive Session
At 2:50 PM, Chair Crabtree announced a recess into executive session to review the performance of a public employee, the session is expected to last approximately 30 minutes with no action to follow. Chair Crabtree reconvened the regular meeting from Executive Session at 3:16 PM.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:16 PM
Minutes approved on June 20, 2023, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.