NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

August 25, 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, August 25, 2026. Board Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Ann McMurray (Zoom)
Alan Erickson
Merle Kirkley
Kelly Bashaw (Zoom)
Sue Phillips (Zoom)

Staff present:

Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Les Valsquire
Natalie Gustafson
Ben La Tray

Guests Present:

Carl Bruner

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the June 16, 2026, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Merle Kirkley moved, and Alan Ericson seconded, to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2026, regular board meeting. Motion carried.

Comments From the Public

No public comment was provided.

Approval of Agenda

Merle Kirkley moved, Mark Venn seconded, to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.

Director District Interviews for Director District #2

Carl Bruner was interviewed by the Board in an open session for the Director District #2 vacancy.

Director Appointment and Oath of Office

It was the consensus of the Board to remain in open session to consider the candidate’s application and interview. Merle Kirkley moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to appoint Carl Bruner as the NWESD Director of District #2. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote, with all members voting aye.

Superintendent Vivanco administered the Oath of Office to new Board member Carl Bruner.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of General Fund warrants #210704 through #210773 in the amount of $762,953.55 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000201 in the amount of $2,567.13 and warrants #210789 through #210866 in the amount of $581,658.92 and warrants #210867 through #210869 in the amount of $3,169.00, accounts payable ACH payment #9000004171 through #9000004243 in the amount of $21,530.87, warrants #210873 through #210943 in the amount of $600,407.54, warrants #210945 through #210946 in the amount of $4,160.00, accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000202 in the amount of $4,098.12, warrants #210973 through #211030 in the amount of $604,343.56, accounts payable ACH payment #9000004244 through #9000004309 in the amount of $24,728.33, warrants #211031 through #211037 in the amount of $22,422.20 were presented for approval.

Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports

Approval of the General Fund Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amounts of $24,538,419.28 (June) and $23,904,928.81 (July) were presented for approval.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of June payroll warrants #210774 through #210778 for salaries in the amount of $28,986.98, #210779 through #210788 and #210870 through #210872 to payroll vendors in the amount of $87,785.07, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $383,167.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,640.60, an electronic transfer in the amount of $886,160.71 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,487,745.4 for a total of $2,893,485.40 were presented for approval.

Approval of July payroll warrants #210947 through #210962 for salaries in the amount of $12,615.92, #210963 through #210972 to payroll vendors in the amount of $64,161.78, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $373,609.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,048.05, an electronic transfer in the amount of $797,369.30 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,358,731.14 for a total of $2,625,535.19 was presented for approval.

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Financial Reports

Approval of the NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial Report with the total ending net position in the amounts of $$590,097.45 (June) and $593,789.02 (July) was presented for approval.

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant

Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #210702 in the amount of $1,250.00 was presented for approval.

Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrants

Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #210703 in the amount of $2,370.23 and #210944 in the amount of $2,126.22 were presented for approval.

Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Reports

Approval of the Unemployment Pool Financial Report with the total ending net position equity in the amounts of $11,926,925.50 (June) and $12,004,566.12 (July) were presented for approval.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel requests in the amount of $3,423.75 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.

NWESD Controller, Ben La Tray, proposed to the Board a structured monthly financial reporting adjustment. This new approach aligns monthly reporting more closely with the NWESD’s operational and financial management needs while continuing to meet regulatory reporting requirements.

It was moved by Alan Erickson and seconded by Merle Kirkley to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and accept the proposed structured monthly financial close process and reporting timeline. Motion carried.

Board Report

Natalie Gustafson, BHPS Director, presented an update from the Behavioral Health and Prevention Services department. Highlights from the report included a review of the departmental goals, the services provided by Student Assistance Services, Mental Health Services, and Educational Advocates.

New and Pending Business

Meridian School District Board Appointment

Dr. Vivanco shared that the Meridian School District recently appointed a new director to position #4. Ashley Geist was sworn in on July 29, 2026, replacing Mary Gray as director of position #4 to serve out the remainder of the term. The appointment falls outside their 90-day window as stated in RCW 28A.343.370 thus requiring NWESD confirmation.

Kelly Bashaw moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to confirm the appointment of Ashley Geist to the Meridian School District position #4, as presented. Motion carried.

Resolution 2026-04, Cancellation of Outstanding and Unredeemed Warrants

Resolution No. 2026-04, directing the Skagit County Treasurer to cancel outstanding warrants was presented for approval.

Merle Kirkley moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2026-04 as presented. Motion carried.

Policy Revisions

Superintendent Vivanco shared the proposed policy revisions for the Board approval and noted the following:

  • Policy 1320 – Suspension of a Policy was updated to align with the WSSDA Model Policy. The proposed revisions are to distinguish between suspending and retiring policies;
  • Policy 3418 – Response to Student Injury or Illness, revisions to this policy outline how staff respond when a student becomes injured or ill while under school care;
  • Policy 4300 – Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Programs, the proposed revisions are to align the policy with WSSDA Model Policy, the procedure is being retired and the definitions are being added to the policy;
  • Policy 5280 – Separation from Employment, revisions are based on HB 2264 permitting a board to accept a voluntary offer of separation from employment pursuant to a planned layoff or reduction if force.
  • Policy 5406 – Leave Sharing, the proposed revisions modify leave provisions to authorize shared leave for victims of a hate crime and the involvement of the employee or their family member in immigration proceedings; and
  • Policy 6530 – Insurance, minor revisions to this policy are related to eligibility for unemployment benefits because of employer-initiated layoffs or reduction in force.

Kelly Bashaw moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 1320 – Suspension of a Policy; Policy 3418 – Response to Student Injury or Illness; Policy 4300 – Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Programs; Policy 5280 – Separation from Employment; Policy 5280 – Leave Sharing; and Policy 6530 – Insurance, as presented. Motion carried.

Approval of 2026-27 Itinerant Staff Salary Schedule

Superintendent Vivanco shared a request for approval of an addition to the salary schedule to meet the needs of the NWESD itinerant staff. Moving itinerant staff to a dedicated salary schedule incorporates the regional nature of their work directly into their base compensation, eliminating the need for county-by-county regionalization adjustments and mid-year changes to employee pay. This would create more consistent, transparent, and administratively efficient compensation while strengthening our ability to recruit and retain these highly specialized employees.

Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the 2026-27 Itinerant Staff Salary Schedule as presented. Motion carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the Board for review.

First Reading: Policy and Procedure 1321, Retirement of a Policy

The Board reviewed the proposed policy and procedure 1321 – Retirement of a Policy.

Procedure Revisions

The following procedure revisions were shared with the Board:

  • Procedure 3418-P – Response to Student Injury or Illness Procedures
  • Procedure 4300-P – Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Programs (Retire Procedure)
  • Procedure 5406-P – Leave Sharing Procedures

Workplace Employee Engagement (WEE) Survey Results

Superintendent Vivanco shared the 2025-26 WEE Survey results with the Board. This included a multi-year comparison as well as a general summary of the feedback.

Leadership Communications Council (LCC) Guidance

Superintendent Vivanco shared the LCC Guidance document that creates a more flexible, purpose-driven framework that strengthens staff voice, improves communication and transparency and better supports collaborative decision-making aligned with the NWESD Core Values.

Resignation of Deputy Superintendent for Business and Operations

Superintendent Vivanco shared the letter of retirement from Deputy Superintendent Lisa Matthews and noted that the job will be posted mid-September, with interviews being conducted in November.

Classified Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year

Dr. Vivanco shared that Kelly Toner has been named the 2026 NWESD Regional Classified Employee of the Year. Toner is a paraeducator working with elementary students in the Ferndale School District. Vivanco added that Carlene Ogren has been named the 2027 NWESD Regional Teacher of the Year. She teaches reading and math in Oak Harbor Public Schools.

Superintendent’s Report

Binding Conditions: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the NWESD continues to work with Marysville and Mount Baker school districts and both are continuing to make progress. Burlington Edison School District will be entering into Binding Conditions and they have informed their staff and community.

NWESD All Staff Advance: Dr. Vivanco shared that the NWESD will be hosting a day of learning for All NWESD staff on November 6, 2026. This day will be held at the Anacortes office and provide staff opportunities to learn more about maintaining health and wellbeing and connecting with their co-workers.

New Superintendent Orientation Visits: Dr. Vivanco informed the Board that he has met with the new superintendents in the Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, Index, and Meridian school districts. Vivanco will also expand his district visits to include districts not scheduled for the Cabinet Team visits in January/February.

AESD Retreat: Superintendent Vivanco shared that the recent AESD Retreat took place in Yakima. The focus was to strengthen the AESD network’s collective leadership.

Leadership Team Advance: Superintendent Vivanco noted that the Leadership Team will be participating in their annual team advance tomorrow.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD Report

Merle Kirkley shared that they don’t have a meeting until September. Vivanco added that Sue Phillips will serve as the NWESD representative on the AESD Conference planning committee.

Board Retreat Planning

Superintendent Vivanco shared that the Board retreat will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Staybridge Suites in Mukilteo WA. The agenda is still be developed but will include time to connect (facilitated by WSSDA) and Business Strategy Framework update from Tamara Shoup.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM.

Minutes approved on September 22, 2026, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.