NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 22, 2022; 7:00 PM
Northwest Educational Service District
1601 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221
The regular meeting of the Northwest Educational Service District Board of Directors was held remotely and in-person on Monday, August 22, 2022. Chair Charles Crabtree called the meeting to order at 6:58 PM at the NWESD office in Anacortes.
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Members present:
Charlie Crabtree
Alan Erickson
Ann McMurray
Susan Phillips
Jack Thompson
Oscar Escalante
Merle Kirkley
Mark Venn
Cory Duskin
Staff present:
Larry Francois
David Forsyth
Lisa Matthews
Deka Smith
Jennifer Longchamps
Les Valsquier
Tamara Shoup
Enrique Lopez
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the June 21, 2022, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Ann McMurray moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2022, regular board meeting as presented. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Additions to the agenda were identified as 7.b.iii, Approval of New Positions; Migrant Health Nurse. Merle Kirkley moved, and Sue Philips seconded, to approve the agenda, as presented with the addition of item 7.b.iii. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants numbered #203071 through #203212 in the amount of $902,931.46 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000051 in the amount of $3,145.24 and warrants #203235 through #203323 in the amount of $226,284.48 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000000292 through #9000000328 in the amount of $7,872.72, and warrants #203324 through #203397 in the amount of $876,668.59 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payments #000000052 in the amount of $1,926.57 and #000000053 in the amount of $242.51, and warrants #203419 through #203470 in the amount of $274,340.44 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000000329 through #9000000365 in the amount of $9,020.26 were presented.
Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports
Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $12,506,471.70 (June) and $1,043,935.91 (July) was presented.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of June payroll warrants #203214 through #203222 for salaries in the amount of $23,807.72, #203223 through #203233 to payroll vendors in the amount of $28,132.74, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $204,802.6, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $17,385.93, an electronic transfer in the amount of $608,004.11 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $885,534.34 for a total of $1,767,666.90 was presented.
Approval of July payroll warrants #203400 through #203406 for salaries in the amount of $20,375.41, #203407 through #203418 to payroll vendors in the amount of $52,104.76, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $241,405.76, employee refund payment of WPFML premiums in the amount of ($70.10), reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $17,132.64, an electronic transfer in the amount of $561,440.92 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $828,631.69 for a total of $1,721,021.08 was presented.
Approval of Labor and Industries Trust Financial Reports
Approval of the Labor and Industries Trust Financial Reports with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $250,923.58 (June) and $247,774.04 (July) was presented.
Approval of Labor and Industries Trust Warrants
Approval of Labor and Industries Trust warrants numbered #203213 in the amount of $90.10 and #203398 in the amount of $5,000.00 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrants #203234 in the amount of $1,776.83 and #203399 in the amount of $20,000.00 were presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Reports
Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Reports with the total ending net position equity in the amount of $11,293,721.44 (June) and $11,337,942.05 (July) was presented.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $316.05 was presented.
Approval of Personnel Report
Personnel Reports indicating terminations, hiring, and reclassification of NWESD employees were presented.
Approval of Election of Certificated Staff
Election of Certificated Staff reports indicating hiring of certificated employees were presented.
It was moved by Merle Kirkley and seconded by Alan Erickson to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
Report to the Board
Enrique Lopez shared an update on the innovative services being offered by the NWESD Migrant Education Program (MEP). Some highlights from the presentation are:
- Purpose of Migrant Education
- Migrant Education Qualifications
- Identifying Migrant Students
- Highlighted the My Dream My Journey Youth Conference
New and Pending Business
Approval Policy Revisions
Revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum
Revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum was presented for approval. Larry Francois shared that there was new legislation passed outlining situations when a district or ESD can go into a special meeting or call an emergency remote meeting. Superintendent Francois also noted the addition of new legislation banning people from possessing firearms or any dangerous weapon at a board meeting.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 1410 – Executive or Closed Sessions
Revision to Policy 1410 – Executive or Closed Sessions was presented for approval. Superintendent Francois shared that it is now required to announce the purpose of the executive session and ensure that it is noted in the meeting minutes.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 1410 – Executive or Closed Sessions as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 3122 – Excused or Unexcused Absences
Revision to Policy 3122 – Excused or Unexcused Absences was presented for approval. Larry Francois shared that HP 1834 states that the rules defining student absence must categorize an absence for a mental health reason as an excused absence.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 3122 – Excused or Unexcused Absences as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 4210 – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises
Revision to Policy 4210 – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises was presented for approval.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 4210 – Regulation of Dangerous Weapons on NWESD 189 Premises as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 5001 – Hiring of Retired School Employees
Revision to Policy 5001 – Hiring of Retired School Employees was presented for approval. Superintendent Francois noted that previously retirees could be hired as NWESD employees working a maximum of 867 hours annually and continue to receive their pension payments. Legislation has been passed, through July 1, 2025, to allow 1,025 hours worked annually by a retiree and still receive pension benefits. The goal of this updated legislation is to help alleviate staffing shortages during the pandemic.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 5001 – Hiring of Retired School Employees as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited
Revision to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited was presented for approval. Larry Francois shared that there was a small addition stating that the policy applies to sexual harassment targeted at NWESD employees carried out by a student, employee, or a third party involved in NWESD activities.
Alan Erickson moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited as presented. Motion carried.
Revision to Policy 6510 – Emergencies
Revision to Policy 6510 – Emergencies was presented for approval. Superintendent Francois explained that the changes in policy stem from legislation that passed prohibiting schools from doing live enactments as part of their emergency drills that may be trauma-inducing to students.
Sue Phillips moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 6510 – Emergencies as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Position Descriptions
The new position of Migrant Family Engagement and Early Learning Coordinator was shared with the board. Larry Francois explained that this position was written based on the needs of the Migrant Education Program, and those of families in our region. The recommended salary placement is alongside the NWESD’s other Migrant Services Coordinators on Schedule III, Range 13b.
Ann McMurray moved, and Sue Phillips seconded, to approve the new Migrant Family Engagement and Early Learning Coordinator position description and recommended salary placement as presented. Motion carried.
The new position of Career Connected Learning Specialist was shared with the board. Assistant Superintendent Fredricka Smith noted that this position will work as part of the Career Connected Learning and STEM teams as well as with the community to help connect students with work-based learning experiences, career exploration opportunities, and career pathways. There will be two positions hired, one serving K-8 students, and another serving secondary students. The recommended salary placement is Schedule II, Range 11.
Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the new Career Connected Learning Specialist position description and recommended salary placement as presented. Motion carried.
The new position of Migrant Health Nurse was presented to the board. Larry Francois noted that this position was written based on the needs of school districts in our region and the migrant families and students who are attached to those districts. The recommended salary placement is Schedule III, Range 5, which is in line with current classified nursing positions within our region districts.
Sue Philips moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the new Migrant Health Nurse position description and recommended salary placement as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
Procedure Revision – 1400P Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum Procedures
Procedure 1400-P Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum was presented to the board.
Procedure Revision – Procedure 3122P – Excused and Unexcused Absences Procedures
Procedure 3122P – Excused and Unexcused Absences Procedures was presented to the board.
Procedure Revision – Procedure 3205P – Procedure Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
Procedure 3205P – Procedure Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited was presented to the board. Larry Francois explained the edit to this procedure states that Level Two Appeal requires a trained second decision maker – it could be the board of directors or an outside party.
Procedure Revision – Procedure 6510P – Emergency Procedures
Procedure 6510-P – Emergency Procedures was presented to the board.
2021-22 End-of-Year Department SMART Goal Reports
The 2021-22 End-of-Year Department SMART Goal Reports were presented to the board for review. Larry Francois commented that the report conveys the great work that all of the departments are doing and just how individual they are. He specifically highlighted the work of the Teaching and Learning, Behavioral Health and Prevention Services, and Special Programs and Services departments, pointing out how much more they are integrating their work together to create more coherent and aligned services for our districts.
Regional Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year
The Regional Teacher of the Year (TOY) for the NWESD region has been announced. Meridith “Linsey” Kitchens is an English teacher and librarian from Sedro-Woolley High School. Veronica Gonzalez has been selected as the NWESD regional Classified Employee of the Year (CEOY). Veronica Gonzalez is a paraeducator in the Mount Vernon School District.
August Election Results
The validated election results from August 2, 2022, election were shared with the board. Superintendent Francois shared that the Lopez Island School District passed its replacement of the educational programs and operations levy.
NWESD Anticipated School District Bond & Levy Measures
Larry Francois shared that Monroe School District was the only district in the NWESD region anticipating a school district bond/levy to run on the November 8, 2022, ballot. They will be running their replacement of an expiring school program and operations levy.
Surplus Disposal – July and August 2022
A report of surplus items was shared with the board describing either their relocation or disposal action.
Presenting Regional AESD Accreditation Plaques
Superintendent Francois shared that 12 high schools in the NWESD region recently completed their initial or renewal accreditation through the AESD Accreditation process. Plaque presentations are being scheduled for upcoming school district board meetings or staff meetings. Interested board members were invited to co-present accreditation plaques with Superintendent Francois.
Superintendent’s Report
Update on OSPI Discussion Regarding ESD Funding: Larry Francois shared that he and Lisa Matthews attended a meeting with Tennille Jeffreys-Simmons, OSPI Chief of Staff, NCESD Assistant Superintendent, Linda McKay, and ESD 105 Superintendent, Kevin Chase, to better understand the funding and staffing challenges that they face. OSPI is trying to revamp its entire organization, remove silos, and operate more efficiently. ESDs have agreed to a one-time contribution in 2022-23 of $700,000 (paying 1/9th by ESDs) as one-time gap funding to give them a year to make necessary organizational changes. Their long-term solution will likely require a legislative request for additional funding. The NWESD will use a portion of the pandemic relief funding that was earmarked to pay for our additional unemployment pool assessments that ended up not being needed.
Meetings with 2022-23 New Regional Superintendents: Larry Francois shared that he has had an opportunity to meet with all of the new regional superintendents. He will be meeting with the newly appointed interim superintendent for Monroe School District, Dr. Marci Larsen, in September.
COVID Updates: Larry Francois noted that the Department of Heath updated the COVID guidelines for K-12 schools for 2022-23 school year. The staff vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption mandate is still in effect. It is still mandatory to isolate for five days after any positive COVID test. Student contact tracing is no longer required.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD/Legislative Report
Merle Kirkley shared an update from the AESD. The bylaws are being reviewed and updated.
No legislative report.
Annual WSSDA Conference
The annual WSSDA Conference is scheduled for November 17-19, 2022, and will take place in Spokane, WA. Board members indicated their interest in attending.
Annual AESA National Conference
The annual AESA National Conference is taking place in Atlanta, GA on November 30-December 2, 2022. Board members indicated their interest in attending.
Board Retreat Planning
The NWESD Board Retreat is scheduled for Sunday, September 25, 2022, and Monday morning September 26, 2022. Monday morning will be the regular board meeting. Wil Johnson, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Snohomish School District will facilitate a learning session for the board on Sunday from 2 to 6 PM.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.
Minutes approved on September 26, 2022 in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.