NORTHWEST EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT 189
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING

MINUTES

February 24, 2025; 6:30 p.m.

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, February 24, 2025. Board Chair Sue Phillips called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM at the Northwest Educational Service District in Anacortes, WA.

Members present:

Sue Phillips
Cory Duskin
Mark Venn
Jack Thompson
Ann McMurray
Oscar Escalante
Alan Erickson
Kelly Bashaw
Merle Kirkley

Staff present:

Dr. Ismael Vivanco
David Forsythe
Fredrika Smith
Lisa Matthews
Jennifer Longchamps
Tamara Shoup
Vanessa Allen

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the

January 27, 2025, regular board meeting were presented for approval.

Jack Thompson moved, and Merle Kirkley seconded, to approve the minutes of the January 27, 2025, regular board meeting as presented.  Motion carried. Sue Phillips abstained due to her absence at the January 27, 2025, meeting.

Comments From the Public

Kathy Reim, a retired Sedro Woolley School District teacher, addressed the Board regarding the vacant school director position for the Sedro-Woolley School District. Green spoke to offer her support for applicant Becky Taft. She stated that Taft is highly regarded in the community and requested the Board take her under careful consideration.

Danielle Haugland, a Sedro Woolley resident with children in the district addressed the Board regarding the vacant school director position for the Sedro-Woolley School District. Haugland shared her support for the candidacy of Becky Taft. Haugland noted that Taft doesn’t have a political agenda or driven by national or political interests and is a great support to the community.

Robert Green, Sedro Wooley resident, addressed the Board in support of applicant Becky Taft for candidacy for the vacant district #5 seat for the Sedro Wooley school board.

Approval of Agenda

Ann McMurray moved, and Kelly Bashaw seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda

Approval of the General Fund Warrants

Approval of the General Fund #208027 through #208105 in the amount of $671,984.19 and accounts payable electronic wire transfer payment #000000086 in the amount of $1,206.12 and warrants #208126 through #208186 in the amount of $558,878.23 and accounts payable ACH payment #9000002063 through #9000002126 in the amount of $22,854.06 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 $20,357,883.30 was presented.

Approval of Payroll

Approval of January payroll warrants #208106 through #208116 for salaries in the amount of $30,692.36, #208117 through #208125 to payroll vendors in the amount of $60,252.41, repayment to accounts payable for health care authority costs in the amount of $349,520.00, reserve for compensated absence reimbursement in the amount of $19,469.76, an electronic transfer in the amount of $889,631.45 for payroll tax liability and DRS contributions, and an electronic transfer of employee direct deposits in the amount of $1,405,479.65 for a total of $2,755,045.63 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 in the amount of $538,237.52 was presented.

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 warrants #208187 through #208189 in the amount of $36,063.00 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 $11,742,987.67 was presented.

Approval of Out-of-State Travel

Approval of Out-of-State Travel in the amount of $2,372.10 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 terminations, hiring , and reclassification of certificated employees was presented.

Approval of Annual Sick Leave Buy Back

Approval of Annual Sick Leave Buy Back in the amount of $13,873.62 was presented.

It was moved by Merle Kirkley and seconded by Mark Venn to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried.

Board Report

Vanessa Allen, NWESD Instructional Technology Specialist, provided presentation about artificial intelligence as it impacts educational technology. Some highlights from the presentation were:

  • AI Tools
  • Current state of AI in K-12 education – NWESD region
  • Approaches to introducing AI to students
  • Desired state of AI in K-12 education

New and Pending Business

Adoption of Proclamation to Affirm the Commitment to Support Undocumented Students and their Families

A proclamation to affirm the commitment to support undocumented students and their families was shared with the board. This proclamation extends the NWESD’s commitment to foster an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status.

Merle Kirkley moved, and Alan Erickson seconded, to adopt the Proclamation to Affirm the Commitment to Support Undocumented Students and their Families. Motion carried.

Policy Revisions

Revision to Policy 3424 – Opioid-Related Overdose Reversal

Revisions to Policy 3424 – Opioid-Related Overdose Reversal were presented to the board for review. This revision is in response to the amended RCW that mandates every public school implement an opioid overdose policy and stock reversal medication.

Revision to Policy 3420 – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response

Revisions to Policy 3420 – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response were presented to the board for review. This revision is based on HB 1608, expanding access to anaphylaxis medications in schools.

Revision to Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited

Revisions to Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited were presented to the board for review.

Revision to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited

Revisions to Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited were presented to the board for review.

Dr. Vivanco shared that policies 3205 and 5011 are both being revised in response to the February 4, 2025, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) guidance stating that it will begin enforcing Title IX pursuant to the 2020 Title IX rules.

Kelly Bashaw moved, and Ann McMurray seconded, to approve revisions to Policy 3424, Opioid-Related Overdose Reversal, Policy 3420 – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response, Policy 3205 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited, and Policy 5011 – Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited. Motioned carried.

Items for Information

Independent Contractor Agreements

Independent Contractor Agreements were presented to the board for review.

Procedure Revisions

Revisions to Procedure 3420-P – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response Procedure, Procedure 3205-P – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited Procedure, and Procedure 5011-P – Sexual Harassment of Staff Prohibited Procedure were shared with the board.

Rescinded Policies & Procedures

Procedure 3205-P.1, Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment of Students Prohibited – Grievance Procedure, Procedure 3205-P.2, Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment of Students Prohibited – Implementation Procedure, Policy 5012 – Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff, and Procedure 5012-P, Parental, Family, or Marital Status, and Pregnancy or Related Conditions of Staff Procedure were rescinded to reflect the current Title IX law.

2025-26 NWESD Calendar

Dr. Vivanco shared a draft of the 2025-26 NWESD Official Calendar and requested the board to review and note the dates of the board meetings. He also asked the board to consider holding the future May meetings on the third Monday of the month to avoid a conflict with the Memorial Day holiday. A revised calendar will be shared at the next board meeting for approval. The May 27, 2025, board meeting will be moved to May 19, 2025.

2024-25 Board Report Schedule

Dr. Vivanco shared the updated 2024-25 Board Report Schedule and confirmed the upcoming meeting topics.

Certified February 21, 2025, Levy and Bond Election Results

Superintendent Vivanco shared with the board the certified levy and bond election results from the February 21, 2025, election. Vivanco noted that the Lake Stevens School District passed their bond and both Oak Harbor and La Conner school districts passed their EP&O levies. Unfortunately, Arlington School District did not pass their capital projects levy.

Superintendent’s Report

Binding Conditions Update: Superintendent Vivanco shared an update on the two districts in our region that are currently in Binding Conditions. The Marysville School District had their public hearing on school closures on February 10, 2025. Things have seemed to calm down a bit and they are moving forward with a plan. The district has been consulting with Dr. Rumbaugh, previous superintendent from the Stanwood-Camano School District.

The Mount Baker School District is continuing to make progress.

Business Strategy Framework: Dr. Vivanco shared that the team continues to make progress towards putting structures in place with the Business Strategy Framework. Next month will have a more thorough presentation on our business strategy work.

Legislative Update – Dr. Vivanco shared with the board that he attended multiple meetings with legislators and provided testimony around the Big 3 and mental health and behavior support for the AESD network on February 11, 2025.

Partner Profiles – Dr. Vivanco shared the Partner Profile reports with the board, superintendents, and staff. Leadership will be reviewing and looking for themes.

Items Originating with the Board

AESD/Legislative Report

Merle Kirkley shared information about the upcoming AESD Annual Conference. This year’s conference will take place in Spokane, WA, on April 16-18, 2025. Board members discussed who would be attending and made plans for the donated gift basket.

Executive Session

Board Chair Phillips recessed the regular meeting to an Executive Session at 8:00 PM to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office. Chair Phillips stated that the Executive Session would last for approximately 20 minutes and no action would be taken when the regular meeting was reconvened. The board extended the Executive Session 25 additional minutes. At 8:45 PM, Chair Phillips reconvened the regular meeting and immediately moved to adjournment.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Minutes approved on March 24,2025, in regular session of the NWESD Board of Directors.