[1. Call to Order]
[00:00:03]
THAT GOT A LITTLE CONFUSING, BUT WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE HEADED THAT DIRECTION, RIGHT? ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO SAY ABOUT IT? OKAY.
NO? SO THAT BEING THE CASE, YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON TONIGHT.
IT'S KIND OF ODD. AND IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO. AFTER CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION IN OUR ROUTINE BOARD MEETING PREP, WE DECIDED TO CONVENE AN ABBREVIATED REGULAR MEETING AND THEN FOLLOWED BY A WORK SESSION.
SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW THIS WORKS OUT. OKAY? SO THERE'S GOING TO BE CITIZENS COMMENTS IN BOTH SESSIONS.
AND FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS HAVE OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. READY? BEGIN.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
SO OUR ROLL CALL. PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT 4, TERRY TATE.
PRESENT. VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT 3, CHRIS GREWELL.
HERE. DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT 1, LORRI SIBLEY. HERE.
DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT 2, DEBBIE JOHNSON. HERE.
DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT 5, MARSHALL MARROTT. HERE.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ITZEL CONTRERAS MONTIEL.
HERE. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TOBY NGUYEN. HERE.
MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE A QUORUM. VERY GOOD. I HAD MY EYES DILATED A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO, SO I'M HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE SEEING SOME OF THESE THINGS ON MY COMPUTER RIGHT AT THE MOMENT. SO NEXT PIECE OF ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS OUR AGENDA APPROVAL.
[4. Agenda Approval (Board Vote w/Student Voice)]
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE AGENDA DIRECTOR REPORT.I FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME UPDATES THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW, AND WAITING TWO MORE WEEKS IS LIKE.
WELL, SURE. SO ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA? HEARING NONE, IS THERE A MOTION? I RECOMMEND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED WITH THE UPDATES AS WELL.
OUR STUDENTS? PRO. THANK YOU. SO THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA IS ON THE TABLE.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? NAY.
OKAY. 5-0. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA. WE'RE GOING TO DO EMPLOYEE
[5. Student and Board Updates]
RECOGNITION. MICHELLE REINHARDT.ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD EVENING, BOARD. GOOD EVENING.
AND SO I'M GOING TO CALL UP SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS TO COME ON UP TO THE FRONT.
AND THEN I WILL SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THEY ARE GETTING RECOGNIZED.
JEAN HALEY, COME ON UP. JUSTIN KENDALL. ALISON PIERCE.
KRISTI ADAMS. AND ERIKA CAREY. IF YOU CAN COME ON UP.
ALL RIGHT. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE MISSING JUST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.
SO I'M GOING TO FIRST START OFF WITH JEAN HALEY.
I DON'T THINK JEAN IS HERE. ONE MORE CALL FOR JEAN HALEY.
WHEN MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT AT SCHOOL, SHE WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP HIM, SHOWING GENUINE CONCERN AND COMPASSION. WHAT MEANS THE MOST TO ME IS THAT SHE HAS CREATED A SPACE WHERE MY SON FEELS COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE GOING TO HER WITH ANY PROBLEMS OR WORRIES. THAT KIND OF TRUST SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE HEART SHE BRINGS TO HER WORK EVERY DAY.
SO, IF WE CAN GIVE JEAN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE].
NEXT IS JUSTIN KENDALL. OUR BUS DRIVER, JUSTIN, GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE THE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE, SEEN, AND CARED FOR. HE ALWAYS GREETS OUR FAMILY, INCLUDING OUR CHILD WHO DOESN'T RIDE THE BUS WITH A WAVE AND A HUGE SMILE.
[00:05:01]
HE MAKES THE KIDS ALL FEEL SO SPECIAL IN THEIR OWN WAY.IT TAKES SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON TO CREATE SUCH A POSITIVE AND CALM ENVIRONMENT ON A SCHOOL BUS OF YOUNG KIDS, BUT HE DOES IT SO EFFORTLESSLY. BUS 76 FAMILIES ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WARMTH AND GENUINE CARE HE SHOWS EACH STUDENT.
THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE]. ALLISON PIERCE IS UNABLE TO MAKE IT THIS EVENING, BUT I WILL GO AHEAD AND SHARE THE NOMINATION.
IN ADDITION, LAST YEAR SHE STEPPED INTO THE POSITION OF JAZZ BAND DIRECTOR AFTER MR. MCKELVEY RETIRED AND CONTINUES TO LEAD AND DIRECT THE TVM JAZZ BAND AT JAZZ FESTIVALS, WHERE THEY CONTINUE TO PLACE EVEN WITH THE TRANSITIONS AND GRADUATING MANY STUDENTS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AT THE END OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR.
I WATCHED HER GROW AND BECOME COMFORTABLE DIRECTING THAT VERY DIFFERENT STYLE OF DIRECTING.
MRS. PEARCE ALWAYS HAS AN IMPECCABLE ABILITY TO CHOOSE MUSIC FOR EACH OF HER CLASSES.
THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE MUSICIANS CAPABILITIES, BUT ALSO STRETCHES THEM TO LEARN.
HER CONCERTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARE WELL ORGANIZED, THE AUDIENCE RESPECTFUL, AND THE MUSIC DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL BECAUSE IT'S SO POLISHED. IT TELLS ME THESE STUDENTS PRACTICE AND ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACHIEVABLE EXPECTATIONS.
MRS. PEARCE TEACHES HER STUDENTS TO MARCH IN THE SPRING, AND TVM IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING, MOST DISCIPLINED AND BEST SOUNDING BANDS IN THE HAZEL DELL PARADE.
BEYOND THE DEEP APPRECIATION I HAVE FOR HER, I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE LONG LINES OF STUDENTS AT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS WANTING TO SAY HELLO TO MRS. PIERCE AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO CAME BACK TO WATCH THE TVM CONCERTS AFTER THEY MOVED ON TO HIGH SCHOOL.
IT SHOWS SHE MAKES AN IMPACT IN THEIR LIVES. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR MRS. PIERCE. [APPLAUSE]. CHRISTIE ADAMS. SO MRS. ADAMS HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SUPPORT MY SONS. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA IN JANUARY OF 2025 AND UNEXPECTEDLY HOSPITALIZED FOR 33 DAYS.
I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND THE BOYS HAVE TO STAY WITH FAMILY.
I HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED SEVERAL TIMES FOR UP TO 44 DAYS AT A TIME.
IT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT THE BOYS HAVE MRS. ADAMS AT SCHOOL, SHOULD THEY NEED A GREAT HUG IN MUMMY'S ABSENCE.
SHE IS TRULY A BLESSING. [APPLAUSE]. AND LASTLY, ERIKA CARRIE. ERIKA HAS SERVED AS A CROSSING GUARD FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, DEMONSTRATING UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SHE SERVES. SHE BUILDS MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH THOSE SHE GREETS EACH DAY AND TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN HELPING ENSURE STUDENTS ARRIVE AT SCHOOL SAFELY.
AND THEN I THINK MRS. [INAUDIBLE]. WILL DO A PICTURE.
[00:10:01]
ALL RIGHT. I DO HAVE ANOTHER GROUP THAT I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AROUND NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION.IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND STARTING THE POWERPOINT.
IT SHOULD BE THE SAME POWERPOINT.
THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS IS RIGOROUS AND REQUIRES EDUCATORS TO DEMONSTRATE DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR STUDENTS, STRONG INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES, AND A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
IT IS MY HONOR TO SHARE IN THE CELEBRATION OF MELINDA BEACHELL.
SHE HAS EARNED NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN THE AREA OF LITERACY, SPECIFICALLY READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS, AT THE EARLY AND MIDDLE CHILDHOOD LEVEL. WILL YOU JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING HER THIS EVENING? [APPLAUSE]. SHE'S BEING SHY.
ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HONOR NINA HANSEN.
IS NINA HERE? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. YOU ARE.
[APPLAUSE]. I DID JUST WANT TO MENTION NINA HANSEN.
NINA HAS TAUGHT THIRD GRADE AND ML STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT.
SHE'S CURRENTLY TEACHING ML MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS AT TUKES VALLEY PRIMARY.
NINA OBTAINED HER NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN 2020 AND RECENTLY WENT THROUGH THE RECERTIFICATION PROCESS IN THE AREA OF LITERACY, READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS AT THE EARLY AND MIDDLE CHILDHOOD LEVEL.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING NINA. [APPLAUSE].
ALL RIGHT, ONE MORE HERE. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WEEK IS EDUCATOR SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL WEEK IN WASHINGTON STATE. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE IMPORTANT WORK OF OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF.
IN OUR DISTRICT, CLASSIFIED STAFF SERVE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ROLES AND ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE DAILY OPERATION OF OUR SCHOOLS, AS WE WITNESSED. THEY MAINTAIN OUR BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, SUPPORT STUDENTS IN CLASSROOMS, SUPERVISE AND ASSIST STUDENTS ON PLAYGROUNDS AND IN COMMON AREAS, AND SUPPORT COUNTLESS OTHER FUNCTIONS TO KEEP OUR SCHOOLS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
THEIR WORK OFTEN HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT ITS IMPACT IS FELT EVERY SINGLE DAY BY OUR STUDENTS, STAFF AND FAMILIES. OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF BRING DEDICATION, CARE AND PROFESSIONALISM TO THEIR ROLES, AND THEY PLAY A CRITICAL PART IN CREATING SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND READ THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ARE INVOLVED IN NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING MAINTAINING BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, PREPARING AND SERVING MEALS, AND KEEPING SCHOOL FACILITIES CLEAN AND ORDERLY.
AND WHEREAS EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ASSIST IN THE CLASSROOM AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS AND THOSE LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE. AND WHEREAS EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, SAFE TRANSPORTATION, A SECURE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, AND MANY OTHER SPECIALIZED SERVICES.
AND WHEREAS THESE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS DESERVE RECOGNITION AND THANKS FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK THEY DO FOR THIS STATE, THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND THE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN WASHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES.
[00:15:05]
AND WHEREAS THERE ARE AT LEAST 70,000 EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS HELPING STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES.AND WHEREAS, BY SUPPORTING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ARE CRUCIAL PARTNERS WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS, ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL BOARDS. NOW THEREFORE, I, BOB FERGUSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 9TH THROUGH 13TH, 2026 AS EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU, MICHELLE.
SO WE'LL MOVE FORWARD TO THE DIRECTOR REPORTS.
I JUST HAD A REPORT I DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT ON.
SO ANOTHER TWO WEEKS, JUST THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, AND I WANTED TO POINT OUT SOME THINGS THAT HAVE EITHER HAPPENED OR THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP. ONE THING WAS THE BAND FESTIVAL THAT HAPPENED AT PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL, ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS TAGGING ON WITH ALLISON PIERCE AND HER PROGRAM. DEBBIE AND I ATTENDED AND IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE HOW TALENTED OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS ARE. I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN THEY WERE MIDDLE SCHOOL VERSUS HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY WERE SO GOOD. IT WAS VERY ENJOYABLE TO GO.
AND I JUST WANT TO DO A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE BANDS IN OUR DISTRICT.
THEY ARE PHENOMENAL. I COULDN'T TELL ONE BAND WAS BETTER THAN THE OTHER.
AND THEN THE NEXT GROUP WOULD COME IN AND IN BETWEEN, IT WAS REALLY COOL BECAUSE THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS KIND OF MODERATED IN BETWEEN THE BANDS, AND THEY ANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL.
AND SO IT WAS A QUESTION AND ANSWER TIME. SO THAT WAS JUST KIND OF AN ADD ON TO IT.
THE MATILDA PLAY WAS AMAZING. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYONE TO GO TO ANY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYS THAT OUR STUDENTS DO. THEY ARE PHENOMENAL. IT WAS REALLY GOOD. I'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL OF THE PLAYS AND THEY ALWAYS DO AN AMAZING JOB.
WE WENT TO THE LISTENING SESSION LAST WEEK. I ENCOURAGE IF YOU DIDN'T GET TO GO TO THE ONE AT BATTLE GROUND HIGH SCHOOL, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THIS WEDNESDAY AT PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL.
05:30 TO 7:30. PLEASE COME, SHARE YOUR VOICE ON WHAT WE CAN DO MOVING FORWARD.
AS BOARD MEMBER, I'M ALSO ON THAT BOARD AND SO KIND OF THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE TWO.
THIS WEEK. OH, WAIT. YES. THIS WEEK, I THINK MARCH 12TH, WE'RE DOING A BITES AND BOOKS.
OPPORTUNITY, PROGRAM, WHATEVER. IN COOPERATION WITH REID NORTHWEST AND WHAT IT IS, IS THEY'RE PROVIDING BREAKFAST FOR FAMILIES OF FIRST GRADERS. AND THEN EACH OF THE FIRST GRADERS ARE GETTING A BOOK AND A DOCTOR SEUSS HAT.
SO TO JUST KIND OF TO CELEBRATE THE IDEA OF READING.
SEVERAL OF OUR SCHOOLS NOW HAVE READ NORTHWEST IN THEM.
SOME HAVE HAD IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. SOME SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PICKED UP THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, FOR INSTANCE, DAYBREAK IS NOW JUST DOING FIRST GRADE.
AND IT'S A PROGRAM WHERE VOLUNTEERS COME IN, READ ONE ON ONE WITH FIRST GRADER.
AND IT'S SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I GO IN WEEKLY AND IT IS A REALLY GOOD THING IF YOU'VE GOT TIME.
IT'S A HALF HOUR A WEEK, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SIGNING UP TO HELP WITH THAT.
IT'S AMAZING. SO THAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AND THEN MARCH 28TH COMING UP.
COUPLE WEEKS, FEW WEEKS NOW, A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THEY'RE DOING THE CRAM THE CRUISER. SO POLICE CRUISER, CRAM THE CRUISER EVENT.
OUR SRO OFFICERS, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS ARE POLICE THAT WE HAVE ON.
I DON'T KNOW, CONTRACT OR WHATEVER THAT WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS.
[00:20:08]
IS THROUGH THEIR STOMACH OFTEN. AND SOMETIMES KIDS ARE DISREGULATED BECAUSE THEY'RE HUNGRY.THAT'S REALLY MAYBE THE ONLY THING THAT'S CAUSING IT.
SO IF AN SRO OFFICER HAS A SNACK TO OFFER THEM, IT'S A CONNECTION THAT THEY HAVE AND THEY CAN WORK WITH THE STUDENT AND GET THE STUDENT REGULATED AND BACK TO CLASS PRETTY QUICKLY.
SO CRAM THE CRUISER EVENT HAPPENING MARCH 28TH.
IT'LL BE IN THE FRED MEYER PARKING LOT. WE'RE JUST CRAMMING THE CRUISER WITH SNACKS OR PANTRY ITEMS. AND I DON'T KNOW THE TIME. I SHOULD KNOW THE TIME.
I DON'T. I'M ASSUMING MORNING. BUT I'LL GIVE MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, BUT I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO PUT IT ON YOUR BRAIN, PUT IT ON YOUR SCHEDULE, WHATEVER.
IF YOU CAN HELP OUT WITH THAT, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.
11 TO 3. 11 TO 3. OH, OKAY. THANK YOU. 11 TO 3.
AWESOME. I THINK THAT'S IT, BUT I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, CELEBRATE SOME THINGS AND GIVE SOME PREP FOR THE NEXT THINGS.
SO I'LL GET MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT NEXT TIME.
DID YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE DOING A VOLUNTEER WORK WITH THE.
SO IT'S FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COME IN AND READ WITH OTHER KIDS.
THAT'S HALF AN HOUR A WEEK. IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.
IF YOU COULD VOLUNTEER SOME TIME TO HELP THE KIDS WITH READING.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING. IT'S SO FUN. YOU HAVE ONE STUDENT YOU'RE CONNECTED WITH.
TOBY, BE THINKING ABOUT IF ANYTHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE SEVEN PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR SPEAKING, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME TIME. SO WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU IN JUST A SECOND, OKAY? ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WAY OF DIRECTOR'S REPORTS? I COULD PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE.
THE TIME, SO WHY DON'T YOU, PLEASE? OKAY. THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.
WE'RE COMING TO THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I BELIEVE THERE'S, LIKE, TWO MORE WEEKS. LET ME LOOK TO BE SURE.
YEAH. MARCH 12TH IS THE END. NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS THIS WEEK.
YEAH, IT'S THIS WEEK. WE'RE GOING TO BE DONE.
SO A FEW THINGS THAT CAME UP. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT WAS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET.
BACK IN 2019, THE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET WAS 52% OF THE BUDGET.
AND PROGRESSIVELY, IT'S REDUCED. NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT 2025 TO 2027, 42%.
AND WE ARE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION ONCE AGAIN, IT SAYS.
THIS WAS A STATEMENT MADE BY [INAUDIBLE], THE REPRESENTATIVE.
SSB 6343, THE MILLIONAIRE'S TAX. SALES TAX. THAT'S STILL IN PLAY.
WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR AN EXEMPTION FOR K-12.
ALSO, SB 6260, EFFICIENCIES AND PROGRAMING CHANGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
IT DID NOT ADVANCE. AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE WONDERING ABOUT THAT ONE.
ESSB6247, THE SCHOOL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IS STILL IN PLAY.
AND THE E25HB, REVIEWING PERFORMANCE OPERATIONS AND FUNDING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
WHICH ONE WAS THAT? SORRY, DEBBIE. ES25 HB. IT'S STILL IN PLAY.
AND THERE ARE 34 BILLS THAT ARE STILL IN PLAY THAT.
MANY OF THEM ARE ALREADY ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR HIS SIGNATURE.
I BELIEVE THE MILLIONAIRE'S TAX IS ONE OF THOSE.
I'VE BEEN GETTING JUST TONS OF NOTICES ABOUT THAT.
SO IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT, YOU MAY WANT TO VOICE YOUR OPINION TO HIM PERSONALLY.
THE OTHER THING IS, JUST A FEW BIG LEVEL REDUCTIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING IS LEA REDUCTIONS.
[00:25:07]
IT LOOKS LIKE $25 MILLION. IT REDUCES INFLATION ENHANCEMENT FOR 2027 TO $300 PER STUDENT. THE LEA ALE ENROLLMENT CAP $695,000. IT REDUCES ALE ENROLLMENT CAP FOR LEA CALCULATIONS FROM 33% TO 25%. THE TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN IS BEING AFFECTED.19,000,500. IT REDUCES IT FROM 25. SO THEY HAD OVER 7000 SLOTS. THEY´RE REDUCING IT TO 5000 SLOTS.
BUS DEPRECIATION IS 21,000,105. EXTENDS OPERATING LIFE OF A SCHOOL BUS FROM 13 TO 15 YEARS. YOUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT. MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND THERE IS A LOT MORE.
SO I WOULD RECOMMEND GOING TO WSSDA BILL WATCH IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT.
MORE THAN LIKELY HE WILL SIGN THEM IF THEY'RE ON HIS DESK, SO.
BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS SPEAK UP AND SAY WHAT YOU THINK AND HOW YOU FEEL.
THANK YOU. I DIDN'T REALIZE DEBBIE KIND OF TALKS ALMOST AS MUCH AS I.
NO, I DON'T. SO NOW I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WAS REALLY A THOROUGH REPORT.
WELL, THERE'S ACTUALLY MORE. I'M SURE THERE IS.
IT'S GOTTA BE BRIEF. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. OKAY.
ITZEL? I JUST WANT TO BRING UP A FEW. OKAY, BRIEF.
IMPORTANT THINGS IS THAT PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL IS DOING A MENSTRUAL DRIVE.
IT ENDS APRIL 23RD. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE STUDENTS PARENT´S COMPANY ACTUALLY DONATED OVER 2000 MENSTRUAL SUPPLIES TO OUR SCHOOL, SO ALREADY BEAT OUR GOAL, BUT TRYING TO GET MORE.
ANYBODY ON THE BOARD CAN HELP BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR STUDENT UPDATES ARE FOR, NOT JUST TO TELL YOU THE GOOD, BUT SO YOU CAN HELP OUR STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY TO SUCCEED IN THEIR FUTURE PROJECTS.
FUTURE FALCON NIGHT IS TOMORROW FROM 5:30 TO 7:30.
AND THEN I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT OUR CROSS COUNTRY BOOSTER PARENTS.
THEY ARE HOSTING A TRACK MEET FOR NINE PLUS ON MARCH 14TH.
THEY'RE DOING IT, I THINK FREE OF CHARGE JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS.
SO THEY REALLY WANT TO GIVE KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND GO TO OUR SCHOOL AND RUN OUR TRACK.
SO IT'S COMPLETELY FREE. EVERYBODY'S DOING IT.
I KNOW SOME OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE GOING TO RUN IT FOR FUN, AND SOME OF OUR COACHES TOO.
SO THAT'S JUST SOME THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VERY GOOD. SO WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO A CITIZEN'S COMMENTS.
[7. Public Comments]
SO THERE'S TWO SECTIONS OF CITIZEN'S COMMENTS.THE FIRST ONE HAS SEVEN PEOPLE HERE. THIS IS A MEETING OF THE BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND, VIEW PRESENTATIONS AND HEAR BOARD MEMBERS DISCUSS TOPICS DURING OPEN SESSIONS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, COMMENTS MAY NOT PROMOTE OR OPPOSE ANY BALLOT PROPOSITION.
THE BOARD LIMITS THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION TO A TOTAL OF 30 MINUTES PER MEETING.
SO TONIGHT, DURING THIS FIRST SESSION, THERE ARE THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER AVAILABLE.
ANY COMMENTS THAT CANNOT ADHERE TO THESE RULES CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD SECRETARY BY EMAIL AT BARRETCARLA.BATTLEGROUND.ORG, WHICH WAS ON THE SIGN IN SHEET. ANY PRINTED MATERIALS CAN BE GIVEN TO CARLA FOR DISTRIBUTION.
BOARD MEMBERS DO NOT TYPICALLY RESPOND TO QUESTIONS OR PETITIONS DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[00:30:04]
THEY WILL LISTEN AND GIVE DIRECTION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM IF ACTION IS DEEMED NECESSARY.SO WE'VE GOT SEVEN PEOPLE. I'M GOING TO CALL TWO FORWARD.
IF THE SECOND PERSON CAN JUST WAIT TO THE SIDE, THEN IT'LL HELP US MOVE A LITTLE BIT MORE QUICKLY.
MATT STREBE IS FIRST. COME ON UP, MATT TO THE MICROPHONE.
AND JESSICA COLE, IF YOU COULD COME DOWN AND MAYBE WAIT FOR THIS ON THE SIDE.
WELCOME, MATT. OKAY, GOOD. IT'S MY FIRST TIME DOING THIS SO.
WELL, WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, BOARD FOR HAVING ME AND LISTEN TO OUR COMMENTS.
DURING THAT MEETING, A MOTION TO VOTE ON RESCINDING POLICY 1821 WAS INTRODUCED.
NOW, BEFORE I GET TO MY MAIN CONCERN, I DO WANT TO STATE THAT I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO TESTIFIED THAT NIGHT AND WHO QUESTIONED THE REASON TO VOTE RESCINDING THE POLICY. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A COMMON SENSE POLICY.
NOW, TO MY MAIN POINT OF CONCERN. I NOTICED THAT DURING THE CITIZEN´S COMMENTS PORTION OF THAT MEETING, ONE BOARD MEMBER WAS REALLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE COMMENTS BEING MADE.
THIS MEMBER HAD THEIR HEAD DOWN FOR MOST OF THE SEGMENT, APPARENTLY DOING SOMETHING ELSE WHILE CITIZENS WERE VOICING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT POLICY 1821 AND OTHER ISSUES TOO, THAT WERE IMPORTANT.
FROM WHAT I SAW, THIS MEMBER DID NOT LOOK AT THE COMMENTERS OR ACT LIKE THEY WERE LISTENING.
I FOUND THAT TO BE HIGHLY DISRESPECTFUL. I REALIZE THAT YOU ALL HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATES, AND THESE MEETINGS CAN GET LONG. BUT IF YOU EXTEND AN INVITATION FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK OUT, PLEASE LISTEN TO US. I DO REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THE BOARD MEMBERS DID LISTEN THAT NIGHT, AND I THANK THOSE MEMBERS FOR THEIR ATTENTION.
TO THE PERSON I'M REFERRING TO WHO WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION, AT LEAST FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE BEING MADE WERE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOU OR IF YOU WEREN'T INTERESTED, BUT PLEASE AT LEAST LOOK LIKE YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WHAT WE'RE SAYING.
YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH US. YOU MAY THINK WE'RE OFF BASE.
THAT'S FINE, BUT PLEASE GIVE US YOUR ATTENTION.
WE HAVE TAKEN THE TIME OUT OF OUR DAY TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS AND TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS.
THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS LISTEN TO WHAT WE'RE SAYING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE NEXT PERSON IN THE LIST WILL BE ALI [INAUDIBLE].
SO, JESSE COLE NOW, PLEASE. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, BOARD, I'M JESSICA COLE.
AT THE LAST MEETING, THE BOARD DEBATED RESCINDING ITS CODE OF CONDUCT BASED ON DIRECTOR DEBBIE JOHNSON'S CLAIM THAT THE REPLACEMENT LANGUAGE HAD BEEN SUBMITTED WITH BOARD PRESIDENT TERRY TATE REPEATEDLY DEFERRING TO HER RATHER THAN OFFERING HIS OPINION.
THE NEXT DAY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT NO REPLACEMENT LANGUAGE WAS ACTUALLY SUBMITTED.
I EMAILED THE BOARD ASKING WHICH WORDS IN SECTION 6 ALLEGEDLY CREATED LEGAL RISK.
THE BOARD PRESIDENT SAID HE WOULD FOLLOW UP WITHIN A WEEK, BUT HE NEVER DID.
AND AS OF A FEW DAYS AGO, NO REPLACEMENT POLICY HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT.
WHERE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS ARE AWARE THAT NO REPLACEMENT LANGUAGE HAD BEEN SUBMITTED WHEN THIS ITEM WAS DISCUSSED, AND IF THEY HAD KNOWN, WOULD THEY HAVE STILL VOTED TO TABLE THE ITEM? THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE ONE MEETING EARLIER, THE BOARD DISCUSSED LIMITING STUDENT VOICE AND RESTRICTING PUBLIC COMMENT, SAYING MEETINGS WERE TAKING TOO LONG. I'VE ATTENDED THESE MEETINGS FOR MANY YEARS.
MEETINGS DON'T RUN LONG BECAUSE THE PUBLIC SPEAKS.
MEETINGS RUN LONG WHEN THE BOARD SPENDS TIME ON POORLY PREPARED ITEMS LIKE THIS ONE.
LAST MEETING, STUDENT REP ITZEL EXPLAINED WHY RESCINDING THE CODE OF CONDUCT WAS UNNECESSARY, AND URGED THE BOARD TO FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUE.
THREE FAILED LEVYS AND THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS.
DIRECTOR LORRI SIBLEY AGREED. THE OTHER FOUR VOTED TO TABLE.
STUDENTS WHO VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE DESERVE HONESTY FROM THE ADULTS ON THIS BOARD,
[00:35:02]
NOT DEBATES OVER POLICY CHANGES BASED ON INFORMATION THAT WASN'T TRUE.I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THE LEADERSHIP OF THESE MEETINGS.
THAT KIND OF DOMINEERING BEHAVIOR CHILLS DISCUSSIONS, ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF TWO STUDENT REPS WHO SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. BOARD MEETINGS REQUIRE CALM LEADERSHIP, PREPARATION, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF TIME.
THE COMMUNITY IS WATCHING AND PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY FRUSTRATED.
YOU'RE SO VALUABLE ON THIS BOARD. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.
AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
TERRY DODSON. COME ON UP FOR US, PLEASE. AND ALI STRAPPASON, PLEASE.
MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WHICH GIVES US A CHANCE TO CELEBRATE THE CREATIVITY, LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE AND EVERYDAY CONTRIBUTIONS OF CIS AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN HERE IN BATTLE GROUND AND AROUND THE WORLD IN BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND FAMILIES.
SO IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ONE SUCH INSPIRATIONAL LEADER TONIGHT, OUR VERY OWN ITZEL CONTRERAS MONTIEL. SHE IS THIS YEAR'S MARSHALL LEADERSHIP YOUTH AWARD RECIPIENT, CHOSEN FROM A POOL OF OUTSTANDING FINALISTS BASED ON HER PROVEN LEADERSHIP AND EXEMPLIFYING GENERAL GEORGE C.
I CAN'T THINK OF A MORE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL.
THE TREMENDOUS VALUE AND INSIGHT ITZEL BRINGS TO THIS BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY IS PRICELESS.
FROM HER COMMITMENT. EXCUSE ME. FROM HER COMMITMENT TO AND PROVIDING THE PLATFORM FROM WHICH SHE BRINGS FORTH STUDENTS VOICES, MAKING SURE THEY ARE NOT JUST HEARD BUT UNDERSTOOD WITH CONTEXT AND ARE VALUED.
TO THE COUNTLESS VOLUNTEER HOURS ORGANIZING HER PEERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY, ITZEL ALSO DOES NOT SHY AWAY FROM INITIATING AND HAVING HARD CONVERSATIONS AND SAYING THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE SAID WITH INTEGRITY AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS.
OFTEN FROM THIS VERY ROOM, ON THIS VERY BOARD, ITZEL IS MAKING HISTORY AND I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AM SO PROUD TO BEAR WITNESS TO ALL THE MANY WAYS SHE IS BLAZING HER TRAIL.
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION, ITZEL. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS RECOGNITION.
I AM. WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU. I HOPE YOU WILL ACCEPT THIS TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, DISTRICT PERSONNEL PRESENT.
I'VE BEEN ASKING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHAT, IN THEIR OPINION, IS HOLDING US BACK FROM PASSING AN ENO LEVY HERE IN OUR DISTRICT? THE RESOUNDING ANSWER IS THEY DON'T HAVE FAITH IN THE ACTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THEY BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP TO RESTRUCTURE THE CURRENT BOARD.
EACH OF YOU, AS BOARD MEMBERS NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND YOUR STRENGTHS, YOUR WEAKNESSES, AND COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT WILL RESTRUCTURE THIS BOARD SO YOU ARE WORKING IN UNISON RATHER THAN WHAT YOU'RE DOING CURRENTLY.
IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE NOT ALL ON THE SAME PAGE WITH WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN HERE IN THE DISTRICT.
[00:40:02]
YOU ARE MORE INTERESTED IN CHANGING POLICY ON ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY, INSTEAD OF GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN FRONT OF YOU.I'M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS. FUNDING THE BATTLE GROUND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE HAVE FAILED THE LEVY THREE TIMES AND WE ARE IN CRITICAL STATE RIGHT NOW.
THE DISTRICT CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ONCE AGAIN.
IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF YOU TO LOOK WITHIN YOURSELVES AND MAKE THE DECISION TO STEP UP AND MAKE A CHANGE, SO THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN SEE THAT YOU CAN WORK BETTER TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF 13,000 STUDENTS IN THIS GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]. SO, JENNIFER [INAUDIBLE].
THANK YOU. AND THEN TIM SNELL, YOU'RE UP NEXT.
AND I JUST HAD A COUPLE COMMENTS. FIRST OF ALL, I BELIEVE YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT HAVING DISAGREEMENTS IS A BAD THING. IT'S BECAUSE WE WORK THROUGH THESE DISAGREEMENTS THAT WE MAKE THINGS BETTER.
I UNDERSTAND THE DISAGREEMENTS AND THE DEBATE.
YOU'RE DOING IT ON A PUBLIC STAGE. I COMMEND ALL OF YOU FOR TRYING TO KEEP THAT DEBATE CIVIL.
SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT ENCOURAGEMENT.
I ALSO JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU DO HAVE A DISAGREEMENT ABOUT A LAW OR A POLICY, I ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD JUST GO DIRECTLY TO THAT LAW OR POLICY INSTEAD OF USING TIME TO, YOU KNOW, DEBATE BACK AND FORTH, IS IT, IS IT NOT.
JUST GO TO THE POLICY DIRECTLY TO IT AND YOU CAN SETTLE IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE.
SOME REASONS WHY PEOPLE AREN'T SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS FINANCIALLY.
THEY DO NOT LIKE BIOLOGICAL BOYS BEING ALLOWED IN THE GIRLS BATHROOMS, LOCKER ROOMS, SPORTS, SHOWERS. THAT'S UPSETTING TO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
THEY DON'T LIKE SEEING STUDENTS WALKING OUT OF CLASS AND OFF CAMPUS DURING SCHOOL HOURS TO PROTEST.
AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE KIDS DOING IT DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT THESE SALARIES AND COMPARING THEM TO THEIR OWN SALARIES, THEY SEE THEM AS BEING REALLY EXCESSIVELY HIGH. WE ARE NUMBER FIVE IN THE NATION FOR TEACHERS SALARIES, SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH OUR CURRENT BUDGET. THESE ARE HARD THINGS TO ADDRESS. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
I DO WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU FOR WORKING TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR WORKING THROUGH YOUR DIFFERENCES.
AND I WILL NEVER FAULT YOU FOR HAVING DIFFERENCES OF OPINIONS.
SO THANK YOU. TIM SNELL AND THEN RYAN ANDERSON WILL BE ON DECK.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS TIM SNELL. I AM A TEACHER CURRENTLY AT RIVER HOMELINK.
AND I TOO, WANTED TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW STUDENTS THAT PEOPLE CARE.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT NUMBERS, TEST SCORES, TAX DOLLARS, ENROLLMENT, SALARIES, ETC. NUMBERS AND DATA ARE GREAT BECAUSE THERE'S A CERTAIN OBJECTIVITY TO THEM, BUT THEY DON'T TELL THE ENTIRE STORY.
HOW MANY OF US HAVE GOTTEN A MATH PROBLEM WRONG BECAUSE OF A MINOR MISTAKE?
[00:45:06]
AS A TEACHER, NUMBERS ARE USED AS A MEASURE OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS TEACHER PERFORMANCE, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, DISTRICT PERFORMANCE. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NUMBERS THAT AREN'T RECORDED? WHAT ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT IS INVOLVED IN OBTAINING SAID NUMBERS? WHAT ABOUT THE NUMBERS THAT AREN'T PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE? THERE ARE NUMBERS, DEFINITELY, THAT CAN HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT.NUMBERS LIKE THE ONES MY COLLEAGUE, RYAN ANDERSON, WILL BE SHARING WITH YOU TONIGHT.
BUT HOW ABOUT THE NUMBER OF COLLEAGUES I WORK WITH? AND THE ONES IN THE SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT WHOSE JOB SECURITY IS UNCERTAIN, WHO ARE STILL SHOWING UP DAY IN AND DAY OUT, SERVING THEIR STUDENTS? CONSIDER THE NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT OUTSIDE OF NORMAL CONTRACT HOURS HELPING STUDENTS BEFORE SCHOOL, DURING PREP, AFTER SCHOOL, PLANNING, GRADING.
HOURS OF SLEEP LOSS BECAUSE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS.
SOME MIGHT SAY, JUST DON'T DO THOSE THINGS. HOWEVER, IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE.
IT'S NOT WITHIN A TEACHER'S NATURE TO SIMPLY SETTLE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE QUANTITATIVE DATA THAT I'VE ENCOUNTERED OVER MY YEARS AS A TEACHER, YET I CAN SHARE OF ONE NUMBER THAT WILL STICK WITH ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
THAT NUMBER IS ONE. IT'S A LOW NUMBER. AND YET, I'M GRATEFUL IT IS SO LOW.
I REMEMBER HEARING THE NEWS AND WALKING OUTSIDE.
I REMEMBER WEEPING AND SIMPLY SAYING, I'M SORRY.
AND NOT BECAUSE I WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TERRIBLE SITUATION, BUT RATHER BECAUSE THE STUDENT DIDN'T KNOW THEY MATTERED, THAT THEY WEREN'T SIMPLY A NUMBER OR A STATISTIC TO BE LUMPED INTO THE NUMEROUS OTHER STUDENTS WHO FELT LIKE THEY ALSO DIDN'T MATTER.
I'M TAKING THIS TIME TO ALLOW OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOL STAFF TO KNOW THAT THEY MATTER.
WIDE AWAKE, LAYING IN BED. JUST SEARCHING FOR A MEMORY.
TOUGH TO THINK. IT'S HARD TO FIND A MOMENT WHEN YOU LAST FELT HAPPY.
WHAT'S THE POINT? YOU'RE QUESTIONING WHEN WILL THERE BE RELIEF.
CAN YOU WAIT IT OUT THAT LONG? OUTLASTS THE MISERY.
LIFE'S A STRUGGLE. IT'S A CONSTANT FIGHT. IT'S EVEN HARDER WHEN YOU'RE FEELING ALL ALONE.
DAYLIGHT'S FADING. HERE COMES THE NIGHT. PRETTY COLORS HAVE LOST THEIR SENSE OF TONE.
AND YOU FEEL LIKE A GHOST. LIKE NO ONE ELSE CAN SEE YOU.
WOULD ANYBODY CARE IF I WASN'T HERE? YOU SAID YOU FELT UNHEARD.
YOU SAID YOU FELT UNSEEN. SAID YOUR NIGHTS WERE DARK AND COLD.
SO FULL OF AGONY. AND IF I HAVE JUST THIS CHANCE.
THIS CHANCE TO SAY ONE THING. I HOPE YOU HEAR THESE WORDS AND KNOW THAT YOU MATTER.
YES, YOU MATTER TO ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TIM, YOU WENT OVER.
SO THANK YOU. AND, RYAN, I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING THE TIME ON YOU, SO.
MY NAME IS RYAN ANDERSON AND I LIVE IN BATTLE GROUND.
UNLESS SOMEONE CAN SHOW ME WHERE MY MATH IS WRONG, THE LEGISLATURE IS $14.6 BILLION IN DEBT TO THE TAXPAYERS OF WASHINGTON. THEY'VE BUILT A BROKEN MODEL ON THE BACK OF UNFUNDED MANDATES.
I'VE SHARED THIS WITH TOM AHERN, THE ATTORNEY WHO WON MCCLEARY.
HI, TOM. HE PROBABLY IS. TOM TOLD ME, IF YOUR SUPERINTENDENT AND OR BOARD PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH ME ABOUT THESE ISSUES, PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW. TONIGHT, WE HAVE TWO CHOICES.
[00:50:01]
CHOICE ONE. KEEP PLAYING THE GAME. CHOICE TWO, STOP PLAYING.I AM ENTERING THE BATTLE GROUND GAMBIT INTO PUBLIC RECORD.
THE PRESERVATION ACT IS A SHIELD. NOT JUST FOR US, BUT FOR THE 294 OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.
WE MUST REPLACE THIS FAILED FIRST DRAFT WITH A SYSTEM ROOTED IN SCIENCE OF WHAT STUDENTS NEED.
I CALL THIS GUIDANCE THE BLUEPRINT. THIS TEN YEAR TIMETABLE YIELDS A $27.5 BILLION GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT LIFT AND A $900 HOMEOWNER DIVIDEND. I INVITE ANYONE TO SHOW ME HOW THIS IS WORSE THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW. EVERY LEGISLATOR SWORE A SACRED OATH TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION.
SUPPORTING THAT CONSTITUTION REQUIRES THEM TO DO THIS FIRST AND TO DO IT RIGHT.
[INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU, RYAN. [APPLAUSE].
THAT CONCLUDES OUR CITIZEN´S COMMENTS. NEXT THING ON THE AGENDA IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[8. Consent Agenda (Board Vote w/Student Voice)]
SO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA TONIGHT, WE'VE GOT APPROVAL OF MINUTES, PERSONAL REPORTS, STUDENT TRAVEL, AND THE APPROVAL OF A DONATION FROM BGHS AFJROTC BOOSTER CLUB.IS THERE ANYTHING ON THIS CONSENT AGENDA ANYBODY WANTS TO TAKE OFF FOR DISCUSSION AT ALL? DO WE NEED TO SPECIFY OUT WHAT THAT DONATION.
WHY IT'S ON HERE OR ANYTHING? OR. WOULD YOU LIKE, OR WOULD YOU LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE SHELLY TO SPECIFY THAT? I THINK JUST FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND.
YEAH. SO, SHELLY. SHELLY, CAN YOU? ANY DONATION OVER $10,000 NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
AND SO IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, CINDY IS HERE TO SPEAK TO THOSE.
IS THERE A SPECIFIC QUESTION OR JUST THAT CLARITY? JUST CLARITY. I JUST THOUGHT MAYBE OTHERS WOULD KNOW, WHY IS THAT? YEAH. AND IT'S FOR.
IT'S. COOL. TO HELP THEM ATTEND A NUMBER OF EVENTS.
COOL. SO IF NOT, THEN DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE? I RECOMMEND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
STUDENTS? PRO. PRO. THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AYE. AYE. NAY? OKAY. 5-0. NO OLD BUSINESS.
[10. New Business (Board Vote w/Student Voice)]
NEW BUSINESS. APPROVAL OF AWARD. PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CONTRACT.MICHELLE SCOTT. THANK YOU, MICHELLE. GOOD EVENING, BOARD.
WE'RE HERE FOR A VERY IMPORTANT CONTRACT RENEWAL.
WE WENT OUT TO BID AND THAT WAS THROUGH THE RFP THAT YOU APPROVED ON NOVEMBER 14TH.
I AM HERE WITH SHARI DALEY, AND WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR APPROVAL OF THE AWARD OF THE PUPIL TRANSPORTATION COOPERATIVE CONTRACT UNDER THAT RFP 2526-02 TO FIRST STUDENT. WE RECEIVED THREE PROPOSALS.
THERE WERE 14 REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THE RFP AND EVALUATION COMMITTEE OF FIVE DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, FOUR FROM BATTLE GROUND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ONE FROM HOCKINSON SCHOOL DISTRICT, BECAUSE, REMEMBER, IT'S A COOPERATIVE CONTRACT WITH TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
REVIEWED THE PROPOSALS AND FIRST STUDENT WAS SELECTED AS THE APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.
NO PROTESTS WERE RECEIVED AND WE CONTINUED ON AND BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS AFTER THE PROTEST PERIOD ENDED.
I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT FIRST STUDENT HAD THE MOST FAVORABLE SCORE AND THE MOST FAVORABLE SCORE FOR COST, WHICH MEANS THAT THEIR PROPOSAL ON THE COST WAS THE LOWEST COST OF ALL THREE PROPOSALS.
SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW. GOOD EVENING, BOARD.
I JUST WANT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS.
[00:55:07]
COST INCREASES. AND THROUGH THIS TIME, FIRST STUDENT IN BOTH DISTRICTS WERE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR YOUR APPROVAL A CONTRACT THAT IS FOUR YEARS PLUS ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR RENEWABLE. THAT IS OPTIONAL.AND SOME NOTES FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT REDUCED OUR COST.
TOGETHER, WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SPARE BUSSES DOWN TO THE INDUSTRY STANDARD OF 10%.
THERE WAS TWO POSITIONS THAT WERE REDUCED AT FIRST STUDENT.
ONE WAS AN UNFILLED OFFICE STAFF POSITION AND THE OTHER WAS A REDUCTION OF A TRAINER.
FIRST STUDENT ALSO AGREED TO REDUCE THE ANNUAL INCREASES TO 3.5%, WHICH HELPED US WITH OUR FIXED COSTS IN PREPAREDNESS TO BE PREDICTABLE.
ADDITIONALLY, FIRST STUDENT INCREASED THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BOTH DISTRICTS FROM $10,000 TO $20,000, AND THIS MONIES ARE USED TO OFFSET TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR STUDENT TRIPS.
DURING NEGOTIATIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE IT DOWN TO 4.14.
THAT'S A REDUCTION OF $790,000. 3.6 MILLION OF THAT INCREASE IS FOR BATTLE GROUND SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR 2627. OF THESE COSTS, THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE STATE REQUIRED CONTRACTOR HEALTH CARE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS UNDER SENATE BILL 1248, AND CURRENTLY THERE IS NO ANTICIPATED FUNDING FOR THIS REQUIRED MANDATE.
THANK YOU. WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR US? WE ALSO HAVE FIRST STUDENT HERE TONIGHT, MIKE HAMMEL AND BRENDAN CASE IS HERE AS WELL AS KAREN BEESON, OUR TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR. COULD YOU THREE FOLKS STAND UP FOR US PLEASE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOU TALKED ABOUT A SCORE AND THEN A.
SO THERE'S FINANCIAL AS WELL AS FAVORABLE. IF I CAN TALK.
FAVORABLE SCORE. WHAT GOES INTO THE SCORE WHEN YOU'RE.
I DO HAVE THAT HERE. SO WE LOOK AT HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE AND REFERENCES.
WE LOOK AT PERSONNEL AND STAFFING. WE LOOK AT PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND WE LOOK AT SAFETY. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE OPERATIONS AS IT IS.
EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? ANYONE? IF NOT, ANYBODY, ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH FIRST STUDENT AS DISCUSSED OR AS PRESENTED. YES. THANK YOU.
STUDENTS, YOUR ADVICE. PRO. PRO. SO ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION AS MADE, SAY AYE.
AYE. OPPOSED, NAY. PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
THANK YOU. YES. AND JUST A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO DARCY SPIEKERMANN.
SHE IS LISTENING IN TONIGHT. I WANT TO HONOR HER WORK.
THANK YOU, FOLKS. SO LAST ON THE AGENDA, WE HAVE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BOARD EVENTS.
[11. Future Agenda Items and Board Events]
I WAS LOOKING AT OUR COFFEE MEETINGS AND I SEE THAT IT'S ALL FILLED OUT.I JOINED ONE OF YOUR MORNINGS AT 7, BUT THERE IS ONE MORNING THAT YOU'RE BY YOURSELF ON 7.
IS THAT CORRECT? YES. I WILL NOT BE THERE THIS WEDNESDAY.
SO THAT LEAVES THEN, LORRI BY YOURSELF. YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT? OKAY. SURE. AND I SET OUT A NEW PAGE FOR NEXT MONTH IF YOU WANT TO SIGN UP.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT. DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING, SHELLY? I WAS JUST GOING TO DO A REMINDER THAT WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 5:30 TO 7:30.
[01:00:04]
THANK YOU. IT WAS WELL ATTENDED. LAST WEEK WE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EITHER UTILIZING THE THOUGHT EXCHANGE OR BALANCING ACT TO GIVE US FEEDBACK. SO THAT PROCESS SEEMS TO BE VERY HELPFUL AND WILL BE INFORMATIVE WHEN WE DISCUSS OUR BUDGET ON THE 23RD OF THIS MONTH. SO JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THAT UPDATE AND YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME.AND IF YOU'RE NOT THERE, WE'LL GIVE YOU AS MUCH OF A SUMMARY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
I PLAYED FLY ON THE WALL AT THE BATTLE GROUND ONE.
I REALLY APPRECIATED THE TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWED EVERYBODY TO HAVE AN OPINION AND TO REALLY GET DOWN INTO THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF WHERE THE BUDGET IS AND HOW WE CAN ADJUST IT AND GIVE US INSIGHT ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD APPRECIATE.
SO I REALLY ENJOYED THAT. IT WAS NEAT TO GO FROM SPOT TO SPOT AND HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS.
VERY WELL DONE. THANK YOU. IT REALLY WAS. IT WAS VERY WELL DONE.
I FELT LIKE THE VOICES, WE HAD STUDENTS THERE, WE HAD PARENTS THERE.
WE HAD COMMUNITY MEMBERS THERE THAT DON'T EVEN HAVE KIDS IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH IS GREAT.
WE WANT ALL VOICES IN THE ROOM. IT WAS PHENOMENAL.
AND JUST THE NUMBERS WAS COOL. VERY COOL TO SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE THAT CARE AND WANT TO HELP.
AND WE WILL BE BETTER PREPARED FOR A GROUP THAT LARGE.
WHAT DO I DO? OKAY. THINK QUICK.
HERE'S MY NAIVE QUESTION. THE TWO APPLICATIONS FOR THE THOUGHT EXCHANGE.
ARE THEY ON THE WEBSITE? THEY ARE. OKAY. SO WHERE ARE THEY.
ON OUR BUDGET PAGE. PERFECT. THANK YOU. YEAH.
AND THEY CAME OUT IN TODAY'S NEWS TO KNOW. SO THEY'RE ALSO THERE IN LINKS, SO.
THANK YOU. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ADJOURNING IN JUST A MOMENT AND TAKE A LITTLE RECESS.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS IN LIGHT OF THOSE COMMENTS BECAUSE THE LISTENING SESSION WAS EXCELLENT.
I UNDERSTAND SOME FOLKS SEEM TO BE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WORK THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING DONE, BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING LISTENING SESSIONS AND WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING WORK SESSIONS, AND WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING MORE COMMUNITY COMMENT IF WE WEREN'T MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION.
AND THAT'S THE INTENT TO GET THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN TALKING.
AND SHELLEY AND DEBBIE AND I STARTED TALKING ABOUT LISTENING SESSIONS LAST MARCH.
SO PLEASE STAY FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE WORK SESSION TOGETHER.
SO THIS MEETING STANDS ADJOURNED AT 7:02. WE'LL RECONVENE AT 7:05.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.