NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
Noon Work/Study Session: NWESD 189 Directors’ Team presented an overview of the proposed 2025-26 budget. The work session commenced at 12:20 PM and concluded at 1:43 PM.
MINUTES
May 19, 2025; 1:30 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, May 19, 2025. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 1:50 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Mark Venn
Jack Thompson
Ann McMurray
Kelly Bashaw
Merle Kirkley
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Dr. Fredrika Smith
Lisa Matthews
Jennifer Longchamps
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the April 28, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Mark Venn moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2025, regular board meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Comments from the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
2025-26 Budget Hearing/Adoption
Chair Sue Phillips convened the 2025-26 Budget Approval Hearing at 1:51 PM. Notice of the hearing was published in the Skagit Valley Herald on April 26 and May 3, 2025.
Superintendent Vivanco noted for the record that the proposed 2025-26 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 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 1:53 PM.
Approval of Resolution 2025-02, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26
Resolution 2025-02, Adopting the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, was presented.
Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded to approve Resolution 2025-02 adopting the 2025-26 NWESD General Fund Budget as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #208541 through #208602 in the amount of $598,313.05 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000089 in the amount of $1,324.78 and #000000090 in the amount of $414.73 and warrants #208618 through #208700 in the amount of $661,021.98 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002287 through #9000002379 in the amount of $21,501.49 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 $21,862,097.97 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of April payroll warrants #208603 through #208608 for salaries in the amount of $18,781.02, #208609 through #208617 to payroll vendors in the amount of $60,107.12, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $351,083.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,044.04, an electronic transfer in the amount of $891,773.87 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,433,239.80 for a total of $2,774,028.85 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 $548,443.66 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 #208701 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 $11,793,276.03 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 Mark Venn and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
New and Pending Business
Approval of Job Description – Bicycle Education Specialist
A new position description for the Bicycle Education Specialist position was shared with the board. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Matthews shared that the specialist position was created to support an increased workload for the expanded Bicycle Education program.
Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the new position description for the Bicycle Education Specialist position as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Revisions to Job Description – Regional Bicycle Education Administrative Coordinator
Revisions to the Regional Bicycle Education Administrative Coordinator position were shared with the board. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Matthews shared that the coordinator position was updated to clarify the essential functions to ensure an efficient distribution of work to better support the needs of the growing program.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the revisions to the Regional Bicycle Education Administrative Coordinator position as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Results
Superintendent Vivanco shared information about the recent audit and noted that there were no significant issues raised. Major programs that were selected to be reviewed were the Stronger Connections and DOE Mental Health grant programs. Board member Jack Thompson attended the audit conference and commended the fiscal team for their great work. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Matthews noted that there were some ‘exit items’ which was an indication that we will need to modify our fiscal compliance practices as we explore alternative funding sources, essentially determining the best way to integrate new processes as we encounter new work.
April 22, 2025, Special Election; Certified Ballot Results
The Certified Ballot Results from the April 22, 2025, Special Election were shared with the board. Superintendent Vivanco noted that the bond measure that the Meridian School District was running failed. The Meridian School District plans to run the bond measure again in February 2026.
Out-of-County Designee
Dr. Vivanco shared written notification with the board indicating that Assistant Superintendent, David Forsythe, will act as the superintendent designee while Superintendent Vivanco is travelling outside of the country from June 26, 2025, through July 11, 2025.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Marysville and Mount Baker school districts continue to make progress with their Binding Conditions. Dr. Rumbaugh, Interim Superintendent for the Marysville School District, is revamping the central office and has successfully hired an experienced finance person to help move this work forward.
Regional Superintendent Transitions: Superintendent Vivanco announced that Anacortes Superintendent, Justin Irish, will be the new superintendent for the North Shore School District. Dr. Chris Granger, Blaine School District Superintendent, is moving to the Sultan School District. Dan Chaplik will serve as the interim superintendent for the Blaine School District.
AESD Accreditation Panels: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update to the board on the recent AESD Accreditation Panels. Sue Phillips shared that the general theme of the presentations was about student attendance and recommended the opportunity to serve on the panels to others.
Agency and Department Goals for 2025-26: Dr. Vivanco shared that the board will receive the year end goal reports from NWESD programs. Moving forward, the goals will look different. There will be two agency goals, 1) Improve workplace environment and engagement; and 2) Increase programs and services.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Board member Merle Kirkley shared that the recent AESD updates mainly pertained to the current budget/funding issues.
Legislative Report
Dr. Vivanco said that the governor is planning to sign the budget as presented.
Executive Session
At 2:19 PM, Chair Phillips announced a recess into executive session to review the performance of a public employee, the session is expected to last approximately 20 minutes with no action to follow. Chair Phillips reconvened the regular meeting from Executive Session at 2:49 PM.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:49 PM.
Minutes approved on June 16,2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.