NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
June 16, 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, June 16, 2026. Board Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Ann McMurray (Zoom)
Alan Erickson (Zoom)
Beth Niemi
Merle Kirkley (Zoom)
Kelly Bashaw
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Jenny Veltri
Maureen Hodge
Dawn Cottnair
Les Valsquire
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the May 19, 2026, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Ann McMurray moved, and Beth Niemi seconded, to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2026, regular board meeting.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Kelly Bashaw moved, Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of General Fund warrants #210559 through #210616 in the amount of $586,401.45 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000200 in the amount of $5,434.84 and warrants #210631 through #210701 in the amount of $591,358.04 accounts payable ACH payment #9000004086 through #9000004170 in the amount of $19,348.16 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 $26,630,400.93 was presented for approval.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of May payroll warrants #210617 through #210621 for salaries in the amount of $13,799.25, #210622 through #210630 to payroll vendors in the amount of $70,969.51, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $386,921.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,725.32, an electronic transfer in the amount of $818,419.53 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,390,413.93 for a total of $2,700,248.54 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 $587,563.65 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 #210557 through #210558 in the amount of $245,726.25 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 $11,854,791.20 was presented for approval.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel requests in the amount of $25,796.70 were presented for approval.
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.
Approval of Retention Incentive Report
Retention Incentives in the amount of $119,266.24 were presented for approval.
It was moved by Kelly Bashaw and seconded by Beth Niemi to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Tamara Shoup, Director of Development, Strategy, and Innovation, hosted a panel discussion and was joined by NWESD staff, Jenny Veltri, Director of Career Connect NW; Maureen Hodge, Early Learning Program Manager; and Dawn Cottnair, Director of Teaching and Learning. They shared the growth and innovation work in their programs and the progress towards reaching the agency goal of increasing programs and services by $20 million by 2028.
Executive Session
At 7:08 p.m. Chair Duskin announced the Board will convene in executive session to discuss the performance of a public employee per RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). Duskin announced that the executive session will begin at 7:10 p.m. and will conclude at 7:25 p.m. The Board reconvened into public session at 7:25 p.m. and no action was taken.
New and Pending Business
Approval of NWESD Superintendent Contract Renewal
The NWESD Superintendent contract for employment was presented for approval.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Beth Niemi seconded, to approve the Contract for Employment for Superintendent Vivanco commencing on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029, as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of 2026-27 Salary Schedule
The 2026-27 Salary Schedule was presented to the board which includes a 2.6% COLA. In addition, one-third of the agency’s positions were reviewed for market competitiveness. Budgets were prepared with an additional 4% increase for the positions under review. Some of the positions reviewed showed to be under current market value. Positions recommended for reclassification include: Behavioral Health and Prevention Services Coordinators move to range 4a of Schedule III; Director of Teaching and Learning, move to range 16b of Schedule III; Director of Technology Services, move to range 16a of Schedule III; Facility/Grounds Maintenance Custodian, move to range 22b of Schedule I; Paraeducators, move to range 19a of Schedule 1; Payroll Technician, move to range 24 of Schedule I; Prevention Services Program Manager, move to range 7a of Schedule III; School District Business Services Manager, move to range 16b of Schedule III; Science Kit Restock Clerk, move to range 11 of Schedule I; Science Materials Center Manager, move to range 10 of Schedule II; Technology Services Administrator, move to range 12a of Schedule III; and Transition Support Facilitator, move to range 19a of Schedule I.
Ann McMurray moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to approve the 2026-27 Salary Schedules and reclassifications as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the Board for review.
Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Results
Superintendent Vivanco shared the 2025 Fiscal Year Audit Report with the Board. The NWESD received a federal finding regarding time and effort certifications that were reported. Auditors believe that the NWESD will continue to maintain low-risk status for fiscal year 2026. Board member Merle Kirkley attended the audit conference and shared appreciation to the NWESD Fiscal team. Deputy Superintendent, Lisa Matthews, noted that more formalized time and effort training to all staff will start in September.
2026-27 NWESD Board Report Schedule
Superintendent Vivanco shared the 2026-27 Board Report Schedule with the Board and noted that the board presentations will be shared at subsequent All Staff meetings.
August 4, 2026, Anticipated School District Bond/Levy Measures
The anticipated school district bond/levy measures for the August 4, 2026, special election were shared with the board. Superintendent Vivanco noted that Lopez Island School District and the Darrington School District are both running Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the Marysville School District is making progress toward exiting Binding Conditions. If progress continues, they could exit Binding Conditions by middle of next year.
Vivanco shared that he has met with four districts who have been identified as having an elevated financial sustainability risk. The purpose of these conversations is to provide early support and communication. Conversation amongst the Board ensued about the NWESD Boards role regarding the financial health of our regional districts.
Operational Goals for 2026-27: Superintendent Vivanco shared the timeline for NWESD 2026-27 goals. Programs will submit their strategic goals planning document by September 25, 2026. A goal summary report will be shared with the Board during the October 27, 2026, Board meeting.
AESA Conference: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD submitted two presentation proposals to the AESA National Conference, and they were accepted. Vivanco invited Board members who would like to attend the conference with the Cabinet team to let him know in time to take advantage of early bird registration.
Regional Events and Updates: Dr. Vivanco shared regional events that he has attended recently including the NRLC Graduation.
Regional District Supports: Dr. Vivanco noted that he has worked with a few district superintendents and their Boards on vacancies, Board/Superintendent relationship training, and Board member roles.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Superintendent Vivanco reviewed the survey data that was collected in response to the recent AESD Conference. It was decided that the annual conference will be held in various venues, and the consensus was that the conference was a valuable opportunity that should continue.
Vivanco shared that the NWESD will host the annual conference in 2028, and we need a Board member to start attending the conference planning team in August 2026. Board member Sue Phillips has expressed interest in serving on this committee.
Legislative Report
Vivanco provided a Legislative update noting that this past Legislative session was difficult and the next session could continue to be as difficult. The AESD priorities are math instruction support for students and teachers, protection against reductions to ESD’s, and support for school districts requests regarding Tort reform and insurance costs.
Board Retreat Planning
The Board discussed possible plans for an upcoming Board retreat.
Board Vacancy
Superintendent Vivanco provided an update to the Board on the current NWESD Director District #2 Board vacancy. Director #2 serves the Anacortes, Blaine, Ferndale, Lopez Island, Oak Harbor, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and Shaw Island school districts. The announcement has been posted on our website linking to the application. Assuming there will be interest, the recommendation is to interview candidates during the regular Board meeting on August 25, 2026.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Minutes approved on August 25, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.