NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
September 22, 2025; 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 Monday, September 22, 2025. Board Vice Chair Cory Duskin called the meeting to order at 6:21 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.
Members present:
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Kelly Bashaw
Jack Thompson
Merle Kirkley (Zoom)
Ann McMurray (Zoom)
Staff present:
Dr. Ismael Vivanco
Lisa Matthews
Tamara Shoup
Jodie DesBiens
Jennifer Longchamps
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the August 25, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval. Kelly Bashaw moved, and Mark Venn seconded, to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2025, regular board meeting. Motion carried.
Comments From the Public
No public comment was provided.
Approval of Agenda
Merle Kirkley moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Approval of the General Fund Warrants
Approval of the General Fund warrants #209263 through #209318 in the amount of $548,333.62 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000094 in the amount of $1,373.74 and warrants #209347 through #209406 in the amount of $534,740.33 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002625 through #9000002663 in the amount of $9,854.60 were presented for approval.
Approval of the General Fund Financial Reports
No General Fund Balance Financial Reports were presented due to year-end closing.
Approval of Payroll
Approval of August payroll warrants #209323 through #209336 for salaries in the amount of $25,485.90, #209337 through #209346 to payroll vendors in the amount of $52,785.38, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $345,659.31, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $18,477.27, an electronic transfer in the amount of $859,453.72 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,349,731.56 for a total of $2,651,593.14 were presented for approval.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Financial Report
No NW Workers Compensation Trust Financial reports were presented due to year-end closing.
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund Warrant
Approval of NW Washington Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund warrant #209319 in the amount of $368.68 was presented.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Warrant
Approval of Unemployment Pool warrant #209320 in the amount of $212,068.31 was presented for approval.
Approval of Unemployment Pool Financial Report
No Unemployment Pool Financial reports were presented due to year-end closing.
Approval of Out-of-State Travel
Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $15,474.70 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 hiring and termination of certificated employees was presented for approval.
It was moved by Mark Venn and seconded by Jack Thompson to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Board Report
Tamara Shoup, Director of Strategy, Development and Innovation, presented an update on the Business Strategy Framework.
New and Pending Business
Approval of New Policies
Second Reading – Policy 1815, Ethical Conduct of NWESD 189 Board of Directors
Policy 1815, Ethical Conduct of NWESD 189 Board of Directors was presented for a second reading.
Second Reading – Policy 1825, Addressing NWESD 189 Board of Director Violations
Policy 1825, Addressing NWESD 189 Board of Director Violations was presented for a second reading.
Second Reading – 3206, Pregnant and Parenting Students
Policy 3206, Pregnant and Parenting Students was presented for second reading.
Mark Venn moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve Policy 1815, Ethical Conduct of NWESD 189 Board of Directors; Policy 1825, Addressing NWESD 189 Board of Director Violations; and Policy 3206, Pregnant and Parenting Students as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Policy Revision
Revisions to Policy 5260, Personnel Records were presented to the board for approval.
Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 5260, Personnel Records as presented. Motion carried.
Approval of Position Descriptions
Human Resources Coordinator
The job description for the Human Resources Coordinator position was presented to the board for approval.
Dean of Students (Teacher on Special Assignment)
The job description for the Dean of Students (Teacher on Special Assignment) position was presented to the board for approval.
Mark Venn moved, and Jack Thompson seconded, to approve the new job descriptions for the Human Resources Coordinator and the Dean of Students (Teacher on Special Assignment) as presented. Motion carried.
Items for Information
Independent Contractor Agreements
Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.
New Policy Procedure 3206-P, Pregnant and Parenting Students Procedure
Dr. Vivanco shared Procedure 3206-P, Pregnant and Parenting Students that is associated with the newly approved Policy 3206, Pregnant and Parenting Students.
Procedure Revision 5260-P, Personnel Records Procedures
Revisions to Procedure 5260-P, Personnel Records Procedures were shared with the board.
Anticipated Ballot Measures for the November 4, 2025, Election
The anticipated ballot measures for the November 4, 2025, election were shared with the board. Superintendent Vivanco noted that Orcas Island School District and Bellingham Public Schools are running EP&O levies as well as capital project levies. Lynden School District is running a bond.
AESD Accreditation Plaque Presentations
Dr. Vivanco shared that three schools in the NWESD region completed their accreditation review and plaque presentations are being scheduled. He invited board members to join him in presenting the plaques to the school teams.
Superintendent’s Report
Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared Marysville and Mount Baker are making good progress. The hope is that the Marysville School District will continue to demonstrate good measures so they can exit from Enhanced Financial Oversight status.
Legislative Visits: Superintendent Vivanco shared that he has been inviting legislators to NWESD events, including the upcoming Workforce Coalition event. A few legislators will be attending. Dr. Vivanco shared the importance of building these relationships to move the work of ESDs forward.
All Staff Advance: Dr. Vivanco invited the board to the November 13th All Staff Advance at the Swinomish Casino. The theme is connected through service.
Board Vacancy: Dr Vivanco shared an update on the vacant Director District #4 position. There have been some applicants. The board discussed the process. Dr. Vivanco will connect with Board President Phillips and determine the date to close the application window.
Superintendent Goals: Dr. Vivanco shared his superintendent goals with the board.
Items Originating with the Board
AESD Report
Merle Kirkley reported that the AESD Executive Committee is meeting tomorrow morning.
Superintendent Vivanco shared that he joined a group of ESD superintendents, Melissa Gombosky, and Jessica Vavrus for a meeting with OFM Director, KD Chapman. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a high-level overview of ESD’s and speak about the recent funding reductions and a request for the restoration of the reduction to direct-funded regional ESD services.
Legislative Report
Dr. Vivanco shared that the recent request to reinstate the mental health funding by the federal government was denied. Jodie DesBiens shared the NWESD plans to maintain mental health services in school districts.
Board Meeting Schedule
The board discussed possible alternate days of the week to hold the regular meetings. Superintendent Vivanco shared that the board meetings are currently held on Monday evenings. Multiple Monday holidays can create disruptions to the Monday schedule. The regular board meetings were previously held on Wednesdays. Dr. Vivanco will consult with Board President Phillips to determine if moving the board meetings to Tuesdays would be advantageous.
NWESD Winter Celebration
Jennifer Longchamps shared the past practice of the NWESD Winter Celebration and explained that it is undergoing some refinements. Possible ideas for a staff reception were presented to the board. This event coincides with the December board meeting; updates will be presented to the board as they are finalized.
Upcoming Conferences
The WSSDA Annual Conference is taking place in Seattle, WA. The AESA Annual Conference is taking place in Colorado in December 2025. Superintendent Vivanco shared that members of the Cabinet team will be attending the AESA Conference along with Board member Mark Venn. There is room for one more board member to attend.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 PM.
Minutes approved on October 27, 2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.