NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
June 17, 2024; 5:00 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 Monday, June 17, 2024. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 5:01 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Sue Phillips
Ann McMurray
Mark Venn
Alan Erickson (Zoom)
Cory Duskin
Kelly Bashaw
Oscar Escalante
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley (Zoom)
Staff present:
Larry Francois
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps
Fran McCarthy
Chelsea Wolbert
Tamara Shoup
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the May 28, 2024, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Kelly Bashaw moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2024, regular board meeting. Motion carried. Sue Phillips abstained due to her absence at the May 28, 2024, meeting.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Additions to the agenda were identified as:
- 5.h Approval of additional out-of-state travel in the amount of $3,103.20
- 5.i Approval of additional Personnel Report indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees
- 5.j Approval of additional Election of Certificated Staff indicating hiring of certificated employees
- 5.k Approval of Retention Incentive Report
Mark Venn moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #206698 through #206799 in the amount of $661,900.61 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000078 in the amount of $2,773.93 and warrants #206819 through #206898 in the amount of $574,444.34 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000001464 through #9000001543 in the amount of $35,562.89 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 $18,002,132.35 was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of May payroll warrants #206802 through #206808 for salaries in the amount of $16,285.67, #206809 through #206818 to payroll vendors in the amount of $46,628.79, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $296,975.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $14,521.14 an electronic transfer in the amount of $729,251.60 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,160,651.23 for a total of $2,264,313.43 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 equity in the amount of $515,017.35 was presented.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant
Approval of the NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #206899 in the amount of $2,500.00 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #206900 in the amount of $2,924.17 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 $11,365,726.92 was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $62,906.08 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.
Approval of Retention Incentive Report
Retention Incentives in the amount of $85,808.23 was presented.
It was moved by Ann McMurray and seconded by Kelly Bashaw to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Board Report
Chelsea Wolbert, Program Specialist, Special Programs & Services, presented an update on NWESD Behavioral Specialist Services.
New and Pending Business
Agreement with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS)
An agreement between the NWESD and the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS) was shared with the board. Superintendent Francois noted that the purpose of WABS is to create a non-profit entity to seek grant funding to enhance and support member districts educational programs. WABS core staff have been employed by a host school district and contracted to WABS. This arrangement has enabled WABS core staff to access the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and the School Employees Benefits Board health insurance coverages. The Marysville School District currently serves as the host school district. WABS desires to transition from the Marysville School District to the NWESD.
Kelly Bashaw moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to authorize the NWESD Superintendent to enter into the agreement as presented between the NWESD and WABS. Motion carried.
Oath of Office for Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Superintendent-select Ismael Vivanco was provided his Oath of Office by Superintendent Larry Francois to become effective July 1, 2024.
Approval of Resolution No. 2024-03, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Act on Behalf of the NWESD Board
Resolution No. 2024-03, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Act on Behalf of the NWESD Board was presented for approval.
Mark Venn moved, and Dr. Jack Thompson seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2024-03, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Act on Behalf of the NWESD Board, effective July 1, 2024, as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Resolutions for Incoming Superintendent
The following resolutions, effective July 1, 2024, were presented for approval:
- Resolution No. 2024-04, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Sign Warrants
- Resolution No. 2024-05, Authorizing Facsimile Signature for Dr. Ismael Vivanco
- Resolution No. 2024-06, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Apply for State and/or Federal Funds
- Resolution No. 2024-07, Appointing Dr. Ismael Vivanco (or Designee) as Auditing Officer for the NWESD
- Resolution No. 2024-08, Delegating to Dr. Ismael Vivanco Authority to Recognize NWESD Employees for Accomplishments and Service
Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2024-04, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Sign Warrants; Resolution No. 2024-05, Authorizing Facsimile Signature for Dr. Ismael Vivanco; Resolution No. 2024-06, Authorizing Dr. Ismael Vivanco to Apply for State and/or Federal Funds; Resolution No. 2024-07, Appointing Dr. Ismael Vivanco (or Designee) as Auditing Officer for the NWESD; Resolution No. 2024-08, Delegating to Dr. Ismael Vivanco Authority to Recognize NWESD Employees for Accomplishments and Service as presented. Motion Carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Fiscal Year 2023 Audit Results
The 2023 Fiscal Audit Report from the WA State Auditor’s Office was shared with the board. Board member Thompson extended his gratitude to the fiscal department, specifically Terri Johnson and Lisa Matthews, for their attention to details and positive working relationship with the state auditor’s office.
2024-25 NWESD Board Report Schedule
The 2024-25 NWESD Board Report Schedule was shared with the board. The board endorsed the schedule as presented.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Larry Francois shared an update on the districts currently in binding conditions. He noted that La Conner and Mount Baker school districts are status quo. The La Conner School District will exit binding conditions later this fall. The Mount Baker School District is moving forward making difficult decisions. They will remain in binding conditions for two more years.
Francois added that the Marysville School District continues to be a challenging situation. Their CFO is on a leave of absence and their Human Resource Executive Director resigned. These critical positions will need to be filled as quickly as possible. The district has some important deadlines quickly approaching, June 30, 2024, is their deadline to submit a comprehensive plan for school closure to OSPI. And, July 10, 2024, they need to submit a budget proposal that corresponds with their revised plan. If they are unable to meet these deadlines, they would advance to financial oversight status.
The NWESD board discussed what the NWESD’s role is in this process moving forward. Francois added that he met recently with two of the Marysville School District board members to discuss their current situation. The district’s challenge is that they need an influx of considerable talent to get their operational systems in order. They need consistency. Unfortunately, the current situation and how it’s being played out in the media makes it more difficult to recruit highly skilled staff.
NWESD Superintendent Transition Update: Larry Francois shared that he and Dr. Vivanco had their last formal meeting last week.
Regional Superintendent Transitions Update: Superintendent Francois provided an update on the NWESD regional superintendent transitions. He noted that there weren’t any additional transitions to report on other than the sudden passing of the Index School District Superintendent Allan Bredy. The Index School Board feels like they are in good shape to take some time over the summer to find a new part time superintendent.
Schedule and Availability Through June 30 and Beyond: Superintendent Francois shared with the board his schedule through the end of the month.
ECEAP Update: Superintendent Francois provided an update on the new ECEAP program and noted that Maureen Hodge was hired as the ECEAP Program Manager. The other ECEAP positions are currently posted and the contract with DCYF contract is being finalized and due to begin on July 1, 2024.
AI Training for NWESD Staff: Superintendent Francois shared with the board that the NWESD recently hosted an AI training for all NWESD staff. The next level of training will be about productivity tools. Francois added that the first statewide AI Innovations Summit is taking place in October and is co-sponsored by AESD, OSPI, WSIPC, WASA, WSSDA, and AWSP.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
No Legislative Report.
Superintendent Francois provided an update from the AESD Executive Board. At their recent meeting they debriefed the AESD conference. There is regular conversation about the best location for the conference. This year’s conference was in Chelan, WA and was very successful, netting $22,000 which will help with future years conferences.
Upcoming Conferences (WSSDA, AESA)
Superintendent Francois shared information about two upcoming conferences, WSSDA and AESA.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:21 PM
Minutes approved on August 26, 2024, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.