Jan 10, 2023 Board Meeting

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YOU KNOW. GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

[3. RECONVENE BUSINESS MEETING- 6:30 pm]

[4. ROLL CALL-6:31 pm (ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATED)]

DIRECTOR SMITH? HERE. DIRECTOR NOBLE? HERE. DIRECTOR CHASE? HERE. DIRECTOR KILGORE? PRESENT. AND I'M DIRECTOR KATIMS. SO WE ARE ALL HERE.

AND WE ARE RECONVENING FROM AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY.

[5. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-6:32 pm]

MINOR TO DO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PRESIDENT KATIMS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THIS PLACE, THE SNOHOMISH PEOPLE, AND THEIR SUCCESSORS.

THE TULALIP TRIBES, WHO SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL HAVE TAKEN CARE OF, HUNTED, FISHED AND GATHERED ON THESE LANDS.

WE RESPECT THEIR SOVEREIGNTY, THEIR RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION, AND WE HONOR THEIR SACRED SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH THE LAND AND WATER.

BY ACKNOWLEDGING THESE HOMELANDS, WE COMMIT TO WORKING WITH TRIBAL NATIONS TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION AIMS THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU. NOW IF EVERYBODY WOULD RISE AND JOIN ME IN DOING THE SALUTE TO THE FLAG.

[6. FLAG SALUTE-6:33 pm]

[7. APPROVAL OF AGENDA-6:34 pm]

DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND? SO MOVED. SECOND.

I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND TO APPROVE OUR AGENDA AS PRESENTED TONIGHT.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, NAY.

ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

SO WE'RE REALLY PLEASED TONIGHT TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME A NEW STUDENT ADVISOR.

[8. STUDENT ADVISOR OATH OF OFFICE- 6:35 pm]

APOSTIL. APOSTIL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

KAYLA IS SOMEBODY WE INVITED IN THE FALL AND HAS HAD SPORTS.

BE IN THE WAY AND IS ABLE NOW AND WE'RE SO PLEASED THAT YOU REACHED BACK OUT TO US TO SAY THAT YOU'RE AVAILABLE NOW.

SO DR.

MINER IS GOING TO ADMINISTER THE OATH THAT EACH OF THE STUDENT ADVISORS TAKES.

SO IF YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD AND I'LL LET DR.

MINER TAKE OVER, WE CAN SHARE ONE MIC, IF YOU WANT TO.

WELL, IT REALLY IS A PLEASURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY 1250 TO BE ABLE TO SWEAR IN A NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO GATHER YOUR INSIGHTS.

SO IF YOU WILL REPEAT AFTER ME, I STATE YOUR NAME.

I, KAYLA APOSTIL.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION.

OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

AND WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM THE DUTIES.

AND WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM THE DUTIES.

OF STUDENT ADVISOR.

OF STUDENT ADVISOR.

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT.

OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT.

ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS.

AND WE'RE SO PLEASED TO HAVE YOU JOIN US.

AND I ASKED THE OTHER STUDENT ADVISORS TO TAKE YOU UNDER THEIR WING AND HELP SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES SO FAR WHEN THEY HAVE A CHANCE.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

NEXT IS THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

[9. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-6:38 pm]

AND I'D LIKE TO JUST SHARE BITS OF THE PROCLAMATION FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE IN RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL BOARD MONTH.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE 295 LOCALLY ELECTED BOARDS OF DIRECTORS IN OUR STATE.

THEY SERVE MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION STUDENTS AND A COMBINED ANNUAL BUDGET THEY CONTROL OF OVER $15 BILLION.

THEY EMPLOY APPROXIMATELY 120,000 PEOPLE.

THEY PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROMOTING STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT BY CREATING A VISION, ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES, ESTABLISHING POLICIES AND BUDGETS, AND SETTING

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THEY'RE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR DISTRICT, AND THEY PROVIDE A PASSIONATE VOICE OF ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AS I READ THIS PROCLAMATION, I COULD THINK OF SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE THIS YEAR UNDER EVERY ONE OF THOSE CATEGORIES, AND I'M SO THRILLED TO BE WORKING WITH YOU.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAS RECOGNIZED THE MONTH OF JANUARY AS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH.

SO I'D ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PLEASE GIVE OUR BOARD A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

AND ON BEHALF OF CABINET AND I, WE BOTH WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF LITTLE RECOGNITIONS FOR YOU, A SWEET TREAT AND THEN SOMETHING JUST TO SAY THANK YOU.

GOODIES. GOODIES.

AND JUST LIKE, JUST LIKE IN ELEMENTARY, JUST OUR WE'LL CELEBRATE OUR STUDENT REPS AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

BUT JUST LIKE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, JUST LIKE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, TRADING CAKES IS ALLOWED.

SO IT HAS TO BE A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE TRADE.

YEAH, IT'S LIKE. WOW.

THAT'S SO NICE.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

WE REALLY I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS, BUT WHILE I SAW IT ON THE WEBSITE, I COMPLETELY LIKE I'M LIKE, I'M NOT GIVING MY.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY AND STAFF THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO OUR JOBS.

SO IT'S ALL WE'RE ALL A COMMUNITY.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE FOR SURE.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE SO WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DOING.

THAT'S ALL MY REMARKS FOR TONIGHT.

YOU. WE THINK THEY WERE GREAT AT REMARKS.

SO YEAH.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVING THE MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

[10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-6:45 pm]

SO DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE? I MOVED TO APPROVE.

SECOND.

I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FOR THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 6TH, 2022 SCHOOL BOARD STUDY SESSION.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NAY.

ANY ABSTENTIONS AND THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 6TH, 2022 SCHOOL BOARD STUDY SESSION ARE APPROVED.

NEXT IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 13TH REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND? MOVE TO APPROVE.

I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.

ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE MINUTES FROM OUR DECEMBER 13TH REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ARE APPROVED.

NEXT, WE HAVE THE SECTION FOR OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[11. PUBLIC COMMENTS-6:50 pm]

THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD.

ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD DURING THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING ARE NOT TYPICALLY ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD AT THIS TIME, BUT MAY BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT OR STAFF AT A LATER TIME.

PEOPLE MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR A BOARD MEETING IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO READ YOUR COMMENT ALOUD IN PERSON HERE.

TWO, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO READ YOUR COMMENT ALOUD VIRTUALLY.

OR THREE, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT IN WRITING.

THE BOARD READS ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS AND THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MEETING AGENDA, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE BOARD.

DOCS WEBSITE.

THE BOARD ALSO ACCEPTS WRITTEN COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME THROUGH EMAIL.

WE READ EACH COMMENT AND EMAIL THAT WE RECEIVE AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT IT TAKES FOR THOSE WHO WRITE THEM.

WHILE WE ENCOURAGE AND APPRECIATE PUBLIC COMMENTS, PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS THAT ARE READ ALOUD TO 3 MINUTES.

IF A COMMENT BECOMES TOO LENGTHY, I MAY NEED TO INTERRUPT IN ORDER TO ALLOW EACH PERSON EQUAL TIME FOR THOSE MAKING THEIR COMMENT IN PERSON, PLEASE SPEAK FAIRLY CLOSELY INTO THE MIC AT THE PODIUM OVER THERE.

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WE ALSO ASK THOSE WHO ARE MAKING A PUBLIC COMMENT DURING A BOARD MEETING TO PLEASE MAKE THEIR STATEMENTS IN A CIVIL MANNER WITHOUT TARGETING ANY ONE PERSON OR GROUP IN THE DISTRICT.

SIMILARLY, WE ASK EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE TO PLEASE SHOW RESPECT BY LISTENING QUIETLY WITHOUT TALKING OR WHISPERING TO EACH OTHER SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HEAR EACH COMMENT.

TONIGHT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY VIRTUAL COMMENTS OR ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS, AND I NEED TO CALL UP ON MY COMPUTER.

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CALL THE FIRST NAME? THAT WOULD BE SUPER. THANK YOU.

DR. MINOR. ABSOLUTELY.

THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT THIS EVENING IS BILL KLATT.

MY NAME IS BILL KLATT, AND I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND AN ECONOMIST.

AND I STUDIED THE GLOBAL MARKETS AND I HAVE ALSO TAUGHT ECONOMICS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE PAST.

THIS IS MY FOURTH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, AND IT HAS COME AND HAS BEEN CONFIRMED TO MY COMING TO THESE MEETINGS THAT THE EDUCATION OF EDUCATING STUDENTS HAS LOST ITS WAY.

TODAY, NATO'S SECRETARY, JENS STOLTENBERG AND THE EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYN, ADMITTED ON LIVE TELEVISION THAT THEIR MILITARY WEAPONS STOCKPILES HAVE BEEN DEPLETED IN UKRAINE.

CHARLES MICHEL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, ADMITTED THAT NATO'S SENT MILITARY WEAPONS TO UKRAINE JUST HOURS AFTER THE START OF THE UKRAINE WAR.

THIS ADMISSION TODAY INDICATES THAT NAITO HAD NO INTENTION OF HONORING THE MINSK AGREEMENTS.

RUSSIA'S GOAL WAS NEVER TO END THE WAR IN UKRAINE, BUT TO GRIND UP ALL THE MILITARY WEAPONS THAT WERE SENT BY NAITO AND THE US EMPIRE, TO GRIND UP ALL THOSE WEAPONS INSIDE UKRAINE AND THEN RUSSIA, CHINA AND SAUDI ARABIA WOULD COLLAPSE THE DOLLAR AND THE EURO SIMULTANEOUSLY SO THAT THE WEST WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REARM THEMSELVES. HOW DOES CHINA AND RUSSIA AND SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN AND THE GULF STATES COLLAPSE THE DOLLAR? ON DECEMBER 9TH LAST MONTH, SAUDI ARABIA MADE THE YUAN THE RESERVE CURRENCY FOR GLOBAL OIL TRADE.

THE BIRTH OF THE PETRO YUAN WAS BORN.

ALL CHINA'S PRESIDENT XI NEEDS TO DO IS REJECT THE DOLLAR ON THE FOREIGN EXCHANGES FOR YUAN CURRENCY TO ACQUIRE OIL ON THEIR INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND PRESTO, THE DOLLAR COLLAPSES.

AS OF TODAY, YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT THE DOLLAR AND THE EURO ARE NOW BEING REJECTED ON THE FOREIGN EXCHANGES.

SOON, EQUITY MARKETS WILL COLLAPSE BY 90%.

THE US DOLLAR IS GOING TO ZERO.

AND SINCE ALL THIS STUFF COMES FROM CHINA TO BUILD A MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND CHINA REJECTS THE DOLLAR ON THE FOREIGN EXCHANGES, THE US AND EU WILL HAVE NO PARTS NOR ANY DIESEL FUEL TO GET THEIR JETS OFF THE GROUND.

AND WHEN THE CURRENCY COLLAPSES, THE SOCIETY COLLAPSES.

NEXT IS CHRISTY ROBERTSON.

THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IS TO PROVIDE ALL STUDENTS WITH ACCESS TO INSTRUCTION, ENABLING THEM TO LEARN ACADEMIC SKILLS NEEDED IN READING, WRITING, MATH, HISTORY, LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.

STUDENTS NEED TO BE TAUGHT TO THINK CRITICALLY AND PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR POSITIONS.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THIS INSTRUCTION BE PRESENTED IN A MANNER WHICH ACCEPTS AND RESPECTS ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF FOR WHO THEY ARE WITHOUT IMPOSING VALUES AND BELIEFS WHICH ARE NOT UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED.

THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW PULLED THEIR YOUNG KINDERGARTEN SON FROM THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW DO NOT SHARE THE SAME POLITICAL VIEWS, AND THEIR RELIGIOUS VIEWS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER, BUT THEY ARE UNITED IN THE EXPECTATION THAT THEIR SON WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN INSTRUCTION OR CELEBRATIONS OF LGBTQ IDEOLOGY.

THEY WANT TO PRESERVE THE INNOCENCE OF THEIR SON'S CHILDHOOD.

THEY WILL DECIDE WHEN HE IS DEVELOPMENTALLY READY TO UNDERSTAND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

62% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT TRANS POLICIES HAVE GONE TOO FAR.

PARENTS AND LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS ARE FIGHTING BACK WITH MULTIPLE EFFORTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

[00:15:02]

EXCUSE ME. 60 MINUTES INTERVIEWED.

60 MINUTES INTERVIEWED OVER 30 RD.

DE-TRANSITIONING VICTIMS WHO REFUSE TO STAY SILENT AND NOW FEEL THAT ASTRAY.

CHLOE COLE, ONE OF THESE DE-TRANSITIONING PERSONS, IS CURRENTLY SUING THE KAISER PERMANENTE GROUP FOR LEADING HER TO PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND DOUBLE MASTECTOMY WITHOUT PROPERLY DIAGNOSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF HER GENDER DYSPHORIA.

I WILL AGAIN STATE THAT EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO BE ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND TREATED WITH COMPLETE RESPECT.

BUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS LIKE EDMONDS ARE FAILING THEIR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO ACHIEVE EXPECTED HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS WHILE FOCUSING ON INDOCTRINATION OF CONTROVERSIAL IDEOLOGIES.

NEXT IS SIRI SHAPIRO.

I AM READING A PORTION OF A LETTER ON BEHALF OF A PARENT WHO, AS A PROFESSIONAL PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE WORKER, WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

WHAT A SHAME THAT SHE BELIEVES SHE WOULD BE JEOPARDIZING HER JOB TO BE HERE IN PERSON.

DEAR EDMONDS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, I AM WRITING TO SHARE WITH YOU MY EXPERIENCE REGARDING MY CHILD'S FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM AND LACK OF EDUCATION.

MY CHILD STARTED AND FINISHED KINDERGARTEN IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WAS JUST AS EXCITED FOR FIRST GRADE.

AFTER I VOLUNTEERED 3 TO 4 TIMES FOR TWO PLUS HOURS EACH VISIT.

I SCHEDULED A MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS LACK OF COMMUNICATION, ORGANIZATION, CLASSROOM CONTROL, TIME MANAGEMENT, STAYING ON TASK PREPAREDNESS, AND LACK OF CLASSROOM TEACHING.

I WAS SIGNIFICANTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS TAUGHT IN FIRST GRADE.

ALSO, THERE WERE MANY CHUNKS OF SILENT READING WITH BOOK CHOICES BEYOND FIRST GRADE LEVEL, SO KIDS WERE ONLY LOOKING AT PICTURES WITH NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO READ THE WORDS. NOT ONCE DID I OBSERVE ANY READING INSTRUCTION FROM THE TEACHER TO THE ENTIRE CLASS.

MY COMMUNICATION WITH THE TEACHER LACKED RECIPROCAL EXCHANGE.

WHEN I SENT AN EMAIL, IT WAS UP TO A WEEK OR LONGER BEFORE ANY REPLY.

AND SOMETIMES I HAD TO REDIRECT REDIRECT THE QUESTION TO THE PRINCIPAL FOR A RESPONSE.

I MET WITH THE PRINCIPAL, SHARED MY CONCERNS AND INQUIRED WHAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE IF MY CHILD NEEDED TO REPEAT THE GRADE.

THE PRINCIPAL SHARED THAT MY CHILD WOULD PROGRESS TO THE NEXT GRADE AND TYPICALLY ONLY HAVE A STUDENT REPEAT THE GRADE IF PARENTS REQUESTED IT.

MY CHILD FINISHED OUT THE FIRST GRADE YEAR WITH THE LATTER PORTION OF THE YEAR MOVED TO REMOTE LEARNING.

WE SPENT THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF WITH A PRIVATE TUTOR MEETING TWICE WEEKLY.

WE ENROLLED IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND SAW MORE COMMUNICATION AND COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOL.

BUT IT WAS DEEMED NECESSARY FOR MY CHILD TO REPEAT FIRST GRADE AGAIN.

THE CHANGE IN SCHOOLS WAS THE BEST THING WE COULD HAVE DONE FOR MY CHILD'S EDUCATION.

THE DEPTH AND LEVEL OF TEACHING HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE.

I FEEL THAT THE CURRENT SCHOOL IS PREPARING MY CHILD FOR A FUTURE, BUILDING A SOLID EDUCATION AND CHALLENGING HER MIND IN WAYS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I AM WRITING THIS TO BE A VOICE FOR THE OTHER STUDENTS WHO WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUSHED THROUGH TO THE NEXT GRADE, EVEN WHEN THEY MAY BE FALLING SIGNIFICANTLY BEHIND.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM NEEDS TO CHANGE NOT ONLY AS A PARENT, BUT AS A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER.

I HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC DECLINE OF STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OF THOSE ENROLLED IN THIS DISTRICT.

I APPEAL TO THE SCHOOL BOARD TO GET BACK TO YOUR BASIC MISSION OF ESTABLISHING SOLID, FOUNDATIONAL ACADEMICS FOR THESE CHILDREN.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS ROBERT.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS CINDY WHITEMAN.

HI. IN THE SEATTLE TIMES PAPER THIS SUNDAY, I READ AN EDITORIAL SECTION OF THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT A REQUEST BY MINDA YANG, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WASHINGTON ASIANS FOR EQUALITY, WHO HAD REQUESTED A MONTH TO RECOGNIZE CHINESE

[00:20:03]

IT SEEMED THAT YANG NEVER GOT AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO HER REQUEST BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS ARTICLE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BECAUSE I HAVE A CHINESE DAUGHTER.

OUR HOME HAS BEEN OPEN TO DIVERSITY OF CULTURES, RELIGIONS, SKIN COLOR AND POLITICAL WORLDVIEWS OVER 25 YEARS, AS HOST PARENTS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING AT EDMONDS COMMUNITY AND SHORELINE COLLEGE.

WE HAVE WELCOMED AND LOVED MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS AND ATHEISTS.

I BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM OF OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE OPEN OUR HOME TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.

AMERICA IS A NATION OF DIVERSITY.

IN MY OPINION, EQUITY IS A WORD THAT HAS VARIOUS DEFINITIONS.

THE STUDENTS WHO COME FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO STUDY ABROAD OR GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY, LEARN AND ACHIEVE ALONG WITH THEIR AMERICAN PEERS.

THEY ARE TREATED MOST OF THE TIME WITH EQUITY, EQUAL CHANCES TO LEARN, BUT NOT SPECIAL ALLOWANCES, UNLESS, OF COURSE, THEY ARE AN ESL STUDENT. I BELIEVE THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WANT TO ELIMINATE INEQUITIES IN OUR DISTRICT ACCORDING TO WHAT IS STATED IN SCHOOL POLICY.

0600. I AGREE WITH THE BOARD THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE HUNGRY, LONELY OR SICK DO NOT LEARN AS WELL AS THEY COULD, AND SPECIAL SERVICES SHOULD BE OFFERED TO THOSE IN NEED.

HOW DO WE ELIMINATE RACISM, INCOME NEEDS, LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND CULTURAL DISPARITIES? WHAT ADAPTIVE SOLUTION IS THERE THAT WOULD ADDRESS THESE SOCIETAL ISSUES? COULD THE MONTH OF APRIL BE HERITAGE MONTH FOR ALL PEOPLE GROUPS? DO THE EQUITY MONTHLY LEARNING THEMES SERVE TO LESSEN DIFFERENCES OR CREATE MORE DIVISION? ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE FOR 2021-22, I FOUND THAT THE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TEAMS HAD TWO COMMITTEES FOR BLACK LIVES MATTERS, MONTH OF ACTION AND THE LGBTQIA+ MONTH.

I ALSO FOUND ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE IN 2021 THAT THERE WERE 7.6% BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS REGISTERED HERE IN EDMONDS 0.5% AMERICAN INDIANS, ALASKANS, AND 13% ASIANS.

IT DOES NOT SEEM EQUITABLE TO ME THAT SOME GROUPS ARE GIVEN MORE FOCUS THAN OTHERS.

AGAIN, MY SUGGESTION IS TO MAKE ONE MONTH THE FOCUS OF CULTURES AND WORLDVIEWS AND STRIVE TO SPEND MORE CLASS TIME ON TEACHING, READING, MATH AND SCIENCE.

I AM NOT AN ANGRY, MEAN SPIRITED OR HATEFUL PERSON.

I WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE STUDENTS OF OUR DISTRICT.

HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE TO THEIR POTENTIAL? THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS. MEADOW WASSERMANN.

YEAH. HELLO, MY NAME IS MEADOW WASSERMAN.

I AM FROM GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50529 AND I'M IN THE SEVENTH GRADE AT BRIO TERRACE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WHY ARE WE STUCK ON LGBTQ? WE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME FOCUSING ON ANTI LGBTQ RHETORIC AND NOT ENOUGH TIME SOLVING REAL PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT STUDENTS EVERY DAY.

I AM VERY MUCH A SUPPORTER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND THE CONSTANT REPRIMANDING DEHUMANIZES MY QUEER FRIENDS.

THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MADE THE DECISION TO BE AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT, A SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE SUPPORT PEOPLE'S PERSONALITY.

WE SUPPORT WHO THEY ARE.

WE SUPPORT THEM UNCONDITIONALLY.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

WE ARE NOT TEACHING STUDENTS THAT THEY SHOULD BE GAY, LESBIAN, TRANSGENDER OR ANYTHING ELSE.

IF THAT WERE THE CASE, IT WOULD BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY.

BUT IT'S NOT.

INSTEAD, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON ACTUAL PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT STUDENTS EVERYDAY LIVES.

THERE ARE SO MANY FIGHTS AT MY SCHOOL.

CAN WE FOCUS ON THAT? OR CAN WE MAYBE FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT MY FRIENDS HAVE TROUBLE FINDING A BATHROOM OR LOCKER ROOM BECAUSE THERE AREN'T VERY MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY? INSTEAD, PEOPLE WASTE OUR TIME TELLING OTHERS.

THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE WHAT THEY ARE AND WHO THEY ARE.

[00:25:01]

TELLING PEOPLE THAT THERE'S ONE WAY TO LIVE AND IT IS THEIR WAY.

THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS ABOUT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO LIVE AS THEIR AUTHENTIC SELF RATHER THAN FORCING PEOPLE INTO A MOLD.

HUMANS DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE GAY OR LESBIAN, JUST LIKE WE DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE A BOY OR A GIRL.

TO THE CONTRARIANS, I ASK THIS.

WHEN DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE STRAIGHT? I WANT TO CREATE A COMMUNITY BASED ON SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND DIVISION AND HATRED IS A DISTRACTION TO THAT.

SO LET'S START FOCUSING OUR ATTENTION ON REAL PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.

NEXT UP IS SAMARA LYNCH.

HELLO, MY NAME IS SAMARA AND I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THE LGBTQ+ STUDENTS IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF LGBTQ+ KIDS, BOTH BY STAFF AND STUDENTS.

WE ARE HEARING THAT WE ARE SUPPORTED, YET WE ARE TOLD TO KILL OURSELVES BY PEOPLE WHO GET OFF WITH WARNINGS.

THIS IS COMMON.

I'LL NOW READ AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY A TRANSGENDER FRIEND OF MINE, A FRIEND WHO IS LEAVING THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE OF THE BAD TREATMENT SHE FACES FOR BEING HERSELF.

SHE SAYS, I'VE HEARD THE F SLUR SEVERAL TIMES.

PEOPLE TURN TO LOOK AT ME WHEN I WALK DOWN THE HALLS, AND I OVERALL DON'T FEEL TOO INCLUDED BECAUSE NO ONE TALKS TO ME.

NO ONE EVER GETS IN TROUBLE FOR SHOUTING THE N-WORD.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING EMOTIONAL PAIN AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE PUNISHMENT AND FORCE FOR SLURS BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD HEAR EVERY DAY.

WHAT SHE FACES IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE BRUSHED OFF OR IGNORED.

WE'RE ALLIES, THEY TELL US, AND TURNED A BLIND EYE TO THIS BEHAVIOR.

WE SUPPORT YOU, THEY PREACH.

BUT EVEN STAFF TREAT LGBTQ+ PEOPLE BADLY.

WE ARE PEOPLE AND WE DESERVE TO BE OURSELVES.

WE ARE NOT BOTHERING ANYONE.

WE ARE NOT INDOCTRINATING ANYONE.

WE ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO LIVE AND THRIVE, BUT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO.

I SAY NO MORE.

WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO WHY DO WE STOP HERE? THEY WHO STAND TO THE SIDE ON THIS MATTER, QUIETLY WATCHING WHILE WE FIGHT, WHILE WE SEETHE, WHILE WE BLEED.

THEY ARE NOT CONTINUING THE FIGHT FOUGHT BY EVERY GENERATION.

THE BETTERMENT OF THIS WORLD IS NOT A TASK COMPLETED, NOR CAN IT EVER BE IF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO FACE HATE FOR THEIR IDENTITIES.

SO I AM ASKING THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE TO STOP TURNING A BLIND EYE.

THIS MATTER ISN'T PACIFIED.

THE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ARE JUST AS HUMAN AS EVERYONE ELSE'S, AND WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT.

TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WE NEED TO ACCEPT THEM AND WE NEED TO DO THINGS.

WHEN PEOPLE, WHO ARE ALSO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TAUGHT TO DO THIS, TREAT US HORRIBLY.

WE NEED SUPPORT.

WE NEED THIS FOR EVERYONE AROUND US, AND WE NEED TO DO IT NOW.

THANK YOU.

SAMARA, THANK YOU.

LIKE I SAID TO MEADOW, WE APPRECIATE VERY MUCH STUDENTS COMING AND BEING COURAGEOUS AND SPEAKING WITH US.

IT'S GOOD FOR US TO HEAR YOUR VOICES.

NEXT UP IS.

LONNIE ROGERS.

I REALLY HATE HAVING TO BE HERE AND TAKE UP THE BOARD'S TIME WITH TOPICS THAT AREN'T ISSUES THAT OUR STUDENTS, THOSE OF US WHO ACTUALLY HAVE STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT ARE HAVING IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

I ACTUALLY POLLED MY CHILD WHO GOES TO SCHOOL HERE BEFORE I CAME AND AND CLEARED ALL THIS.

SO IT'S ACCURATE.

THE STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE ISSUES CELEBRATING INCLUSIVITY, WHETHER THAT BE DISCUSSING WHAT HOLIDAYS ALL THEIR CLASSMATES CELEBRATE, INCLUDING CLASSMATES OF ALL STANDING UP FOR THEIR LGBTQ FRIENDS.

THESE ARE NOT THINGS STUDENTS ARE FIGHTING OVER.

STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS TODAY ARE NOT UPSET ABOUT INCLUSIVE BATHROOM POLICIES BECAUSE PREDATORS ARE NOT GOING TO THROW ON A DRESS TO USE THE GIRLS BATHROOM TO GO IN AND ASSAULT GIRLS. THEY'RE JUST GOING TO GO DO IT.

SO JUST BECAUSE SOME ADULTS ARE DECREPIT IN BODY AND MIND AND ARE HERE AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS EVERY WEEK, WASTING TIME, MANIPULATING, CONFLATING, TAKING THINGS OUT OF CONTEXT AND COMPLETELY MAKING STUFF UP DOES NOT MEAN THE GEN ALPHA HONEY BADGERS IN SCHOOL TODAY GIVE AN F ABOUT THE THINGS Y'ALL ARE WORKED UP ABOUT.

THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DAY DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO LEARN AND GROW.

IN A WORLD WHERE AN ADULT WOULD RATHER SLANDER A SUPPORTIVE TEACHER WHO IS PROBABLY THE ONLY PERSON KEEPING A TRANS KID FROM KILLING THEMSELVES THAN GROW A BRAIN AND SOME EMPATHY

[00:30:06]

THIS INCLUDES WOMEN WHO ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT VESSELS FOR SOME MAN SEEDS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THE ECONOMY GOING.

OUR BOYS ARE NOT AUTOMATONS FOR YOUR CAPITALIST HELL SCAPE AND OUR GIRLS ARE NOT FUTURE, OR CURRENT IN SOME OF YOUR MINDS, VESSELS TO CONTINUE YOUR SICK AND DYING SOCIETY OF STRICT GENDER ROLES AND RELIGIOUS GROOMING.

YOU WANT THE SCHOOLS TO TEACH READING, WRITING, MATH AND HISTORY.

AND STRANGELY, SCIENCE RARELY GETS MENTIONED, BUT IT DOES CLEARLY SUPPORT TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS AND THE FACT THAT GENDER AND SEXUALITY ARE IN FACT A SPECTRUM.

NOW, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SO DAMN UPSET ABOUT THE SCHOOLS TEACHING SEXUALITY WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY TEACHING KIDS TO ACCEPT EACH OTHER AND HAVE COMPASSION, YOU SURE ARE STRANGELY OBSESSED WITH THE TOPIC WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN.

AS AN ACTUAL PARENT OF AN ACTUAL STUDENT IN THIS DISTRICT.

I'M ECSTATIC THAT THE BOARD IS FOCUSED ON ENSURING ALL CHILDREN ARE SUPPORTED, THAT THE BOARD EXAMINES DATA AND USES SCIENCE TO DETERMINE POLICY, AND THAT THEY CLEARLY CARE ABOUT THE KIDS THAT THEY WORK FOR.

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT IS WHO THEY WORK FOR.

NOT A BUNCH OF CRYBABY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SCREAM MY TAXES WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A HORSE IN THE RACE OR A CHILD IN THE DISTRICT.

YOU DO NOT GET TO DECIDE HOW MY CHILD IS EDUCATED AND I SUPPORT THIS BOARD AND THIS DISTRICT.

THANK YOU. NEXT UP IS EMILY FRANCISCO.

FRANCISCO. THANK YOU.

HI, I'M EMILY FRANCISCO FROM GIRL SCOUT TROOP 54529 AND BRIER MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT PLASTIC.

I CAME AND TALKED ABOUT THE SAME THING WHEN I WAS IN THE THIRD GRADE.

I CAME BACK HERE TO RESTATE MY MESSAGE AND BRING IT HERE AGAIN, BECAUSE THAT IS STILL A BIG PROBLEM IN MOST SCHOOLS.

WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, I CONDUCTED AN EXPERIMENT WITH THE PERMISSION OF MY VICE PRINCIPAL.

I PUT OUT A REGULAR SIZED WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPOST OR RECYCLING BIN AND HAD EVERYONE WHO HAD A HOT LUNCH.

PUT THEIR PLASTIC CUTLERY IN IT WHEN THEY FINISHED EATING.

ONE CLASS WAS ON A FIELD TRIP THAT DAY, BUT THE BINS STILL FILLED TO THE BRIM.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY ALL AROUND THE SCHOOL, ALL AROUND THE WORLD AND SO MANY SCHOOLS.

DID YOU KNOW THAT IT TAKES 100 TO 7000 YEARS FOR PLASTIC SILVERWARE TO DECOMPOSE IN THE OCEANS? IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IF WHATEVER SCHOOLS THAT ARE ABLE TO SWITCH TO METAL CUTLERY INSTEAD.

I AM EXTREMELY I UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO ACHIEVE EVERYWHERE, SO WHEREVER YOU CAN WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE WE WOULD SPEND LESS MONEY ON SINGLE USE UTENSILS AND IN THE LONG RUN BENEFIT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, EMILY. ONCE AGAIN, WE REALLY APPRECIATE STUDENTS COMING AND EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON VERY IMPORTANT TOPICS.

AND THE LAST PERSON WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS SARAH DILLING.

I RAN ACROSS A STUDY FROM 2019 IN PSYCHOLOGY TODAY.

2% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES IDENTIFY AS TRANSGENDER.

WHEN THOSE STUDENTS WERE POLLED AS TO HOW MANY OF THEM HAD EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT DURING THEIR SCHOOL YEARS, 25% OF THE TRANSGENDER GIRLS HAD AND 20% OF THE TRANSGENDER BOYS HAD WHEN THEY PLAYED WITH THE DATA TO FIND OUT WHICH OF THOSE KIDS WERE IN SCHOOLS THAT HAD POLICIES THAT ALLOWED THEM TO USE THE GENDER BATHROOM THAT THEY IDENTIFIED WITH THE RISK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT WENT DOWN.

AND WHEN THEY WERE IN SCHOOLS WHERE THE POLICIES FORCED THEM TO USE THE BATHROOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GENDER THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO BIRTH, THOSE RATES WENT UP.

I AM VERY GLAD THAT OUR SCHOOL CURRENTLY HAS THE POLICY WHERE STUDENTS MAY USE THE BATHROOM THAT THEY IDENTIFY WITH IN HOPES OF REDUCING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT RATE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THANK YOU.

[00:35:05]

RIGHT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY OUT OF ORDER THAT I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CAME HERE IN THIRD GRADE, AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING BACK AND KEEP ON COMING BACK.

[12. CONSENT AGENDA-7:20 pm]

THE CONSENT AGENDA IS A GROUP OF ITEMS THAT WE TAKE AS A BLOCK THAT TEND TO BE ROUTINE ITEMS, AND WE CAN SPEAK ABOUT THEM SEPARATELY AND OR CHOOSE TO VOTE FOR THEM SEPARATELY.

BUT WE TEND TO VOTE FOR THEM AS A BLOCK.

TONIGHT, ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA, WE HAVE NINE ITEMS. FOUR RELATE TO PERSONNEL AND AGREEMENTS WITH OUR STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.

ONE IS APPROVAL OF SURPLUSING 21 COPIERS THAT ARE NO LONGER USEFUL AND WILL BE RECYCLED RESPONSIBLY, I SHOULD SAY, AS PART OF A DISTRICT COPIER PROGRAM THAT REUSES MATERIALS IN A WAY FOR NEEDED AND UPGRADED EQUIPMENT.

AND THE OTHER FOUR ITEMS HAVE TO DO WITH FIELD TRIPS.

SO DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA FOR TONIGHT? SOME MOVED. SECOND, I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND A SECOND, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.

ANY ABSTENTIONS.

AND OUR CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

I'LL LET DR. MINER GIVE AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR NEW BUSINESS.

[13. NEW BUSINESS- 7:30 pm]

KATIMS. WE HAVE SIX ITEMS OF NEW BUSINESS THIS EVENING.

13.1 THE FIRST ITEM IS A SINGLE READING APPROVAL OF UPDATES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NORMS AND PROTOCOLS.

THESE WERE CREATED BY THE BOARD IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 AND UPDATED IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR AND BROUGHT TO YOU WITH A RECOMMENDED APPROVAL THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU. SO NEXT WE WILL.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND REGARDING THE UPDATES TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORMS AND PROTOCOLS.

MOVE TO GO AHEAD.

THAT'S RIGHT. GO AHEAD. YOU HAVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE UPDATES TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORMS AND PROTOCOLS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF MY BOARD COLLEAGUES BECAUSE WE WORK TOGETHER VERY CLOSELY, BOTH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS TWO YEARS AGO UNDER DR.

KILGORE'S LEADERSHIP, WHICH WE REALLY APPRECIATE AND WE HAVE ONE OF OUR IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THIS IS TO SAY EVERY TIME WE HAVE NEW A NEW MEMBERSHIP ON THE BOARD THAT WE WILL REVISIT THIS.

AND SO I WANT TO PARTICULARLY THANK DIRECTOR SMITH FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH ME ON THINGS WE HAD NOT INCLUDED.

SO THAT'S MY DISCUSSION.

IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS? I JUST. I NOTICED ONE TYPO.

AND CAN WE.

I MEAN, WE CAN APPROVE THIS, BUT WITH ANOTHER PASS AT EDITING, MAYBE.

YEAH. OKAY, THAT'S FINE.

DEBORAH. JUST LET AARON KNOW AND SHE CAN UPDATE THAT.

ANY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CLOSE EDITORIAL REVIEW DIRECTOR KILGORE.

ANY OTHER POINTS? DISCUSSION? COMMENTS? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

AND OUR UPDATES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS NORMS AND PROTOCOLS IS APPROVED.

SECOND ITEM THIS EVENING IS A SINGLE READING APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY WAIVER REQUEST FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES.

ON DECEMBER 1ST, WE HAVE THE CLOSURE OF WOODWAY CENTER, BRIER ELEMENTARY, CHASE LAKE AND ALDERWOOD EARLY CHILD CENTER DUE TO POWER OUTAGES.

AND THEN THERE WAS AN HVAC OUTAGE THAT REQUIRED LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL TO CLOSE ON DECEMBER 9TH.

IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THESE SCHOOL CLOSURE WAIVER REQUESTS, AFTER WHICH I WILL SEND THEM TO OSPI FOR CONSIDERATION.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND REGARDING THE EMERGENCY WAIVER REQUESTS FOR OUR SCHOOL CLOSURES.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

[00:40:10]

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.

I MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND.

I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR VOTERS BECAUSE THE FUNDING FOR THIS COMES FROM OUR FEBRUARY 2020 LEVY, AND WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CONTINUE UPGRADING OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES WITHOUT THE VOTER SUPPORT AND WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

. AND THE CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE SEATING FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW TELESCOPIC BLEACHERS AT EDMONDS.

WOODWAY HIGH SCHOOL IS APPROVED.

ITEM 13.4 IS A SINGLE READING.

TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 23-01.

ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLETED PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT NUMBER Q21-10CP2022 PORTABLES PROJECT HILLTOP ELEMENTARY NEWS, SAGE PORTABLE.

AND THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE BOARD ACCEPT THIS COMPLETED PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FOR RESOLUTION NUMBER 23-01? SO MOVED.

SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

AND THE RESOLUTION NUMBER 23-01 ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPLETED PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT FOR THE PORTABLES PROJECT AT HILLTOP ELEMENTARY IS APPROVED.

ITEM 13.5 IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP PROCEDURES AND ENGAGE IN FORMAL COLLABORATION FOR STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE.

IT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF THAT THE BOARD AGREED TO THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.

DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND A SECOND? SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE.

AND THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT IS APPROVED.

OUR FINAL ITEM 13.6 IS A FIRST READING.

NO ACTION REQUESTED AT THIS TIME.

A REVISED POLICY 4115 VOLUNTEERS.

THIS REVISION INCLUDES SPECIFIC LANGUAGE CHANGES THAT ALIGN WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AROUND INCLUSION AND BELONGING.

IN PARTICULAR, WE REMOVED WORDS SUCH AS CITIZEN AS ONE DOESN'T NEED TO BE A CITIZEN TO VOLUNTEER IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND THE REVISION ALSO TAKES OUT LANGUAGE DIRECTING VOLUNTEERS TO FOLLOW POLICY UNDER HUMAN RESOURCES AND PLACES OF POLICY UNDER THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT.

WE'D BE HAPPY TO ACCEPT ANY FEEDBACK THIS EVENING AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING THIS BACK FOR A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL AT OUR JANUARY 24TH MEETING.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? OR FEEDBACK? I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

I ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THE PROCEDURE THAT GOES WITH THE POLICY, AND IT WAS QUITE DETAILED AND VERY HELPFUL.

I KNOW THAT AS SOON AS COVID WAS OVER, THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO WANTED TO COME IN AND VOLUNTEER, AND THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SLOW PROCESS, BUT WE'RE REALLY GLAD WE'VE HAD A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING, AND WE APPRECIATE VERY MUCH OUR COMMUNITY, PARENTS AND PEOPLE WHO COME IN TO A LOT OF RETIRED PEOPLE WHO COME IN TO VOLUNTEER.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WORK WITH OUR KIDS.

COMPLETELY AGREE. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THE POLICY BACK TO YOU AT OUR NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU. SOUNDS GOOD.

AARON, I ASSUME THERE ARE NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS.

EXCELLENT. THANK YOU.

SO NEXT, WE HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND WE TURN TO DIRECTOR CHASE, OUR LEGISLATIVE REP, WHO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO FOR US.

[15. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES]

[00:45:08]

WHAT ARE WE AT TUESDAY? SO IT'S DAY TWO ALREADY.

THIS IS A LONG SESSION, IT'S 105 DAYS, JANUARY 9TH TO APRIL 24TH, AND THE NEXT TWO YEAR BIENNIUM BUDGET WILL BE ESTABLISHED.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON.

THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SOME BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN PRE FILED AND WE'RE TRACKING THOSE TO SEE, THOUGH, HOW THEY ALIGN WITH OUR PRIORITIES.

I JUST RECENTLY SENT TO THE BOARD AND HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO GET IT FORWARDED TO THE STUDENTS.

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE EVERYBODY'S EMAIL AT MY FINGERTIPS WITH RESOURCES FOR US TO TRACK LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

A BILL TRACKER. HOW WE CONTACT OUR LEGISLATORS.

INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT TO BOOKMARK THIS EMAIL BECAUSE IT'S GOT LINKS TO EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED FROM NOW UNTIL APRIL IF WE WANT TO TRACK THINGS, INCLUDING IF THERE ARE SOME BILLS ON PLASTICS AND ENCOURAGING USING GOING AWAY FROM SINGLE USE PLASTICS, WHICH I BELIEVE LET'S SEE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN. MAYBE 2012, I TOOK A GROUP OF STUDENTS DOWN TO TESTIFY ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT.

SO I THINK THAT IT'S CONTINUING THE ISSUE UNTIL IT IS DONE.

I'M VERY PROUD THAT THAT THERE IS STILL ADVOCACY TO MOVE AWAY, TO MOVE TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE USE IN OUR SCHOOLS, BECAUSE AS YOU NOTICED AND RECALL, HOW MANY SCHOOL, HOW MANY DIRECTORS ARE THERE? 14 THAT WAS IN THERE ARE 295 DISTRICTS, AND ALL EXCEPT ONE DISTRICT HAVE FIVE BOARD DIRECTORS.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF DIRECTORS.

AND I THINK THAT THE.

ACROSS ALL OF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, I THINK THAT THIS IS A REAL IMPORTANT ISSUE ON SUSTAINABLE AND RENEWABLE WAYS THAT WE CAN MANAGE OUR BUILDINGS. AND WE HAVE A LOT OF BUDGETS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

ANYWAYS, LET ME DIGRESS.

THIS IS THE THINGS THAT WE GET TO TALK ABOUT ON ADVOCATING FOR THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US WITH OUR LEGISLATORS.

THERE IS ALSO THAT ANYONE CAN JOIN.

WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATES THAT ARE THERE THURSDAYS AT NOON, WHICH WE'VE GOT A LINK THAT THAT TO KEEP US APPRIZED OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND WE HAVE COMING UP ON FEBRUARY 26TH AND 27TH THE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND A DAY ON THE HILL, WHICH WE'RE INVITING STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN, WHETHER VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON AND STUDENTS THAT SHOW UP GET SPECIAL TREATMENT.

YOU GET TO MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND WITHOUT.

IT'S JUST ONLY FOR STUDENTS.

SO I WOULD DEFINITELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

AND THERE'S A LINK THAT YOU SHOULD BE GETTING THIS EMAIL, THERE'S A LINK, THERE SHOULD BE A LINK IN THE REGISTER HERE.

IT'S STUDENT ONLY.

OTHER THAN THAT, FOR OUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES GOING TO BE TRACKING WHAT BILLS ARE COMING IN, SEE HOW THEY ALIGN WITH OUR PRIORITIES, AS WELL AS LOOKING AT SPECIFICALLY SOME OF THE GRADUATION PATHWAY WAIVERS THAT ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE REALLY ARE STILL COMING OUT OF COVID RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S REALLY.

ALL I'VE GOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT JUST STARTED.

EVERYONE'S OFF TO THE RACES.

BUT I DO RECOMMEND BOOKMARKING THIS EMAIL THAT I HAVE BECAUSE I'M GOING TO REFER BACK TO IT ALL THE TIME.

ANY QUESTIONS ON THINGS.

THERE WE ARE. ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS I NOTICED THAT IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, I FELT LIKE EDUCATION WAS DOWNPLAYED.

AND WONDERED, DO YOU HAVE THE SAME SENSE? AND ARE OUR PRIORITIES, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING KINDS OF RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR? IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN THE KIND OF FOCUS THAT WE THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

WELL, I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO TO KEEP UP THAT CONVERSATION BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, THAT'S A DRAFT.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A FEW OTHER BUDGETS.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE INPUT ON THESE DRAFTS TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING, IS PRIORITIZED.

AND SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

ALSO, I'M SURE OSP IS GOING TO HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON MAKING SURE THAT EDUCATION FUNDING IS MORE PRIORITIZED.

THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS ISSUE OF THIS THIS SENSE THAT THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE ADEQUATELY FUNDED BY THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE.

AND IT'S OUR JOB AS ADVOCATES AND STUDENTS, PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE GROUND TO SAY, HEY, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING HERE AND HAVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PARAMOUNT DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURES, WHICH IS TO AMPLY AND ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

[00:50:02]

WELL, YOU KNOW, I AM SO CERTAINLY GLAD THAT YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT INDIVIDUALS SEND EMAILS TO THEIR LEGISLATORS.

AND AN EASY WAY TO DO THAT IS WE HAVE NINE LEGISLATORS, LEGISLATORS THAT REPRESENT US IN THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND THE WAY YOU EMAIL THEM, IT'S SO EASY.

IT'S THEIR FIRST NAME, DOT LAST NAME AT LEDGE.WA.GOV AND THAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THE REPRESENTATIVE. FOR INSTANCE, YOU CAN ALSO CALL THEM IN THE EMAIL THAT I HAVE, WE HAVE ALL THE LINKS TO PHONE NUMBERS WE CAN TESTIFY. IT'S VERY EASY TO TESTIFY ON BILLS, PARTICULARLY WITH SOME SUPPORT, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE TAKING A VIRTUAL TESTIMONY.

SO NOT ONLY UP HERE BUT OUT HERE IS WHERE WE NEED ADVOCACY BECAUSE IT IS MORE THE LEGISLATORS DO GET A LOT OF INFORMATION. AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY AND A PERSONAL STORY OF WHAT IS IMPACTING YOU, THAT WILL GET GET NOTICED.

MORE THAN TALKING TO KAREN AGAIN ABOUT HOW WE NEED SOME FUNDING.

GREAT, BUT THEY DO LIKE TALKING TO ME ALL THE TIME ANYWAY, SO.

WELL, EVERYBODY DOES, SO THAT'S GOOD.

SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

SO YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THIS GETS POSTED.

OKAY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES OR FROM THE STUDENTS? NO, NOT AT THIS TIME.

NOT YET. NOT YET.

BUT IT'S A LONG DAY, TOO.

IT'S A LONG SESSION. DAY TWO, IF YOU GOT TO CATCH THEM EARLY, BECAUSE WHEN THEY GET TO MAKING A DECISION, THEY JUST LIKE, DO IT.

AND YOU'RE LIKE, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

DON'T. NO, DON'T. WAIT, WAIT.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WAS VERY HELPFUL, AS ALWAYS.

AND I'M LOOKING FOR THAT EMAIL.

OKAY, SO NEXT WE HAVE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND WE START WITH OUR STUDENTS.

[16. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]

FIRST TONIGHT.

WELL, MOST OF MY COMMENTS WERE KIND OF TAKEN OUT OF MY MOUTH BY THE BRAVE YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT.

I THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT.

IT'S REALLY AWESOME TO HEAR YOUR GUYS VOICES.

AND YEAH, I JUST WANT TO KIND OF REAFFIRM WHAT EVERYTHING THEY'RE SAYING.

IT'S THIS IS I DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE SO STUCK ON THIS.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

IT'S WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT ARE AFFECTING STUDENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN THESE SCHOOLS, ME INCLUDED.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY REFRESHING TO HEAR ABOUT THE PLASTICS.

YOU'VE GOT FRIENDS AT LINWOOD HIGH, I'LL TELL YOU THAT.

AND SPEAKING OF AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB OFFICER, I WANT YOU ALL TO KEEP WATCHING BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE WORKS OF PLANNING A GOODWILL DRIVE.

SO HOLD ON TO EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO GIVE AWAY.

WE'RE IN WORKS WITH THAT EVERGREEN GOODWILL, I THINK, OF REQUESTING A DATE, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO AIM FOR MARCH.

SO SPRING CLEANING.

LOOK OUT FOR THAT.

I HOPEFULLY HAVE MORE INFO, BUT YEAH, I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE AND HAPPY.

2023. THANK YOU, PETER.

SADIE, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WANT TO GO NEXT? SO I AGREE WITH PETER.

WE IN THE CLUB, WE'RE ALSO DOING A HYGIENE AND, UM.

A GOODWILL DONATION AND THAT WOULD BE LIKE SO GREAT IF YOU GUYS CAN JUST DROP BY MOUNT LEE TERRACE.

ALSO THE ISSUE ABOUT EDUCATION.

IN MY AP PSYCHOLOGY CLASS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE POSITIVE LEARNING AND LIKE THIS SOCIAL LEARNING ASPECT ABOUT HOW DRIVING, EARLY LEARNING AND PROVIDING THIS LIKE ELEMENTARY KIDS OR EVEN PRESCHOOL IN THAT POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

AND I CAN TALK TO YOU GUYS MORE ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE RESULTS AND THE EXPERIMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN TESTING ON IT HAVE BEEN SO AMAZING.

AND THE IT STICKS WITH THEM LIKE THEY HAVE LONGER EFFECTS ON THE STUDENTS, THEY ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL AND IN THEIR EDUCATION THEY'RE MORE MOTIVATED AND CONSISTENT IN THEIR STUDIES AND THEY'RE MORE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE TO EVERYBODY AND THEY DON'T DO DRUGS, WHICH WAS KIND OF COOL TO LEARN ABOUT, BUT THEY'RE OVERALL LIKE HAPPIER AND JUST MORE JUST MORE BETTER IN A WAY.

BUT I THINK THAT IF WE START EARLY ON AND PROGRESS THROUGHOUT STUDENT LIVES, TO HAVE MORE HAVE

[00:55:04]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KAYLA.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

I THANK YOU.

UM, A LOT.

WHAT PETER AND WHAT SADIE SAID, I TOTALLY AGREE ON.

AND, YOU KNOW, FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU YOUNG LADIES RIGHT THERE HAVE THE BEST CONFIDENCE OUT THERE.

I AM VERY JEALOUS OF THAT.

IF MY AGE LIKE THAT, I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE LIKE, GO UP TO SPEAK LIKE THAT.

IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO GET THIS CONFIDENCE, BUT.

WITH THE LGBTQ.

WHAT YOU WERE SAYING OF HOW LIKE.

YOU KNOW, WE SHOULDN'T REALLY LIKE.

MAKE IT AS MUCH FORCEFUL AND LIKE FOCUS ON THINGS THAT LIKE THE FIGHTS AT YOUR SCHOOL THAT THEY SHOULD GET TAKEN CARE OF AND THE WAY, YOU KNOW, LIKE IF YOU ARE BISEXUAL, LESBIAN, LIKE, EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE AND DON'T LET OTHERS LET YOU GET HURT FROM THAT.

BECAUSE WHAT LIKE WHATEVER YOU ARE, THAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING OUT THERE.

AND WHATEVER ANYONE SAYS ABOUT YOU, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, WHEN YOU GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU ARE GOING TO SAY.

SO LIKE, IT'S JUST THE THINGS THAT SOME ADULTS TELL YOU.

IT'S JUST HARD BECAUSE MOST ADULTS SAY, I'M AN ADULT, I'M OLDER THAN YOU.

I HAVE, YOU KNOW, MORE MATURE WISE.

BUT THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS ARE SO YOUNG TO GET UP THERE AND SPEAK UP, WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IS, YOU KNOW MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT ADULT WOULD HAVE TO SAY.

THANK YOU, ELIZABETH.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING HAPPY BOARD MONTH.

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS.

AND SECOND OF ALL, AS MY OTHER BOARD MEMBERS HAVE, STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SAID, LIKE YOU GUYS ARE WERE AMAZING WITH YOUR SPEAKING.

GREAT JOB BECAUSE I REMEMBER BEING SO NERVOUS AT THAT AGE TO EVEN GO UP IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY.

BUT. UM, TALKING ABOUT THE LGBTQ TOPIC.

AS A STUDENT WHO IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY, I JUST.

I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE NOBODY'S INDOCTRINATING ME TO, LIKE, BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT IN FACT, JUST TELLING ME THAT IT'S OKAY TO BE HERE, IT'S OKAY TO COME TO SCHOOL, IT'S OKAY TO, LIKE, JUST GO BE AMONGST OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE PART OF THAT COMMUNITY AND NOBODY'S LIKE, FOCUSING ON WHETHER OR NOT IF YOU ARE, BUT RATHER IF YOU FEEL OKAY IN THE CLASSROOM THAT YOU'RE SITTING IN RATHER THAN JUST WORRYING IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING TO YOU THAT'S INAPPROPRIATE OR WORRYING IF YOUR EDUCATION IS AT JEOPARDY JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE PART OF THAT COMMUNITY.

AND TO THOSE WHO SAY THAT, OH, THE SCHOOL BOARDS ARE PUSHING IT, OR THE SCHOOL LIKE ADMIN SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PUSHING THIS IDEA THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO BE PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY OR THAT LGBTQ SHOULD BE SHOVED DOWN STUDENTS THROATS.

LIKE SOME HAVE SAID, IT'S WRONG.

IF ANYTHING, THEY'RE JUST TELLING THE STUDENTS THAT IT'S OKAY THAT YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE, AND WHETHER THAT BE A PART OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THE BLACK COMMUNITY, THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, THE ASIAN COMMUNITY, ANY COMMUNITY YOU ARE, YOU'RE JUST WELCOME HERE.

AND TO THAT, I THINK THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD FOR ACCEPTING ALL THESE POLICIES THAT MAKE OUR STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME TO SCHOOL WITHOUT FEELING TARGETED OR JUST TO FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING IN RATHER THAN STAYING AT HOME.

AND SO THAT THEY COME TO GET RECEIVE AN EDUCATION THAT IS LIKE THAT.

THEY ARE. THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO.

SO TO THAT, I SAY, THANK YOU, GUYS.

THANK YOU. AND IT'S GREAT TO HEAR IT FROM OUR STUDENTS FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

OUR STUDENTS ARE OUR FUTURE AND YOU GUYS ARE GREAT REPRESENTATIONS OF IT.

DIRECTOR SMITH SO I WAS GOING TO SINCE WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER MEETING BEFORE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY, I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTION ON THE HOLIDAY AND WHERE WE WERE, WHERE WE'VE BEEN AS A SOCIETY AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

BUT SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO THAT TOUCHED THE DISTRICT, BUT ALSO TOUCHED ME SORT OF PERSONALLY.

AND I WANTED THAT TO BE THE STAND ALONE THING I TALKED ABOUT.

AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I'M A SPORTS OFFICIAL ON FRIDAY AT MALIK TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD A BASKETBALL OFFICIAL COLLAPSE ON THE COURT, AND THERE THEY ARE GETTING BETTER. THEY ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT.

AND SO IT WAS DIFFICULT TO HEAR THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE I JUST FINISHED A GAME.

IT WAS 7:00. I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THEY HAD GONE DOWN, BUT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM WAS SILENT.

AND THERE REALLY IS THIS SORT OF OFFICIATING BROTHERHOOD THAT WE HAVE WHERE I DIDN'T KNOW HIM, AND YET I KNOW THAT I COULD BE IN A ROOM WITH HIM AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES WE'D BE TALKING ABOUT GAMES.

WE TALK ABOUT LIFE. LIKE IT JUST REALLY DOES CREATE THIS COMMUNITY THAT IS VERY ACCEPTING AND IS EXCELLENT TO BE A PART OF.

[01:00:08]

IF YOU'RE NOT SOMEONE WHO IS RELIGIOUS, JUST SEND A POSITIVE THOUGHT HIS WAY AS HE GOES THROUGH THIS LONG PROCESS OF HIS RECOVERY.

AND I KNOW THAT HE WOULD ALSO WANT ME TO SAY THIS.

WE ARE ALWAYS RECRUITING.

WE ALWAYS WANT MORE PEOPLE.

AND LIKE I SAID, IT DOES CREATE THIS BROTHERHOOD.

AND WE JUST LOVE BEING OUT THERE, BEING PART OF THE GAME, GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED, PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.

I KNOW I COULD GET YOU CONNECTED WITH ANYBODY YOU NEED TO TALK TO TO GET GOING AND YOU'LL GET MORE SUPPORT THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

IT'S IT'S VERY OVERWHELMING WHEN YOU START, BUT I DON'T THINK I'VE BEEN PART OF A GROUP THAT WAS MORE EAGER FOR ME TO SUCCEED THAN WHEN I STARTED DOING THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR SMITH.

DIRECTOR NOBLE.

YEAH. WELL, FIRST, I WANTED TO WELCOME KAYLA TO OUR BOARD.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE FINALLY HERE.

SO WE APPRECIATE IT. AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE A VALUABLE PART OF OUR.

OUR STUDENT REPRESENTATION IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND SECOND, I WANT TO THANK THE THREE GIRLS THAT ARE STUDENTS THAT WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO SPEAK TO US AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

I'LL TELL YOU, WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, I COULD HAVE ABSOLUTELY NEVER DONE THAT.

IN FACT, I'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY.

WHEN I WAS AN ADULT AND JOINED THE AIR FORCE AS AN OFFICER.

ONE TIME THE COMPUTER I WAS IN CHARGE OF BROKE DOWN AND I HAD TO GO EXPLAIN TO THE GENERAL ON THE BASE WHY THAT HAPPENED.

I GOT TO THAT. THIS IS ME AS A 22 YEAR OLD, NOT NOT AS A 14 YEAR OLD OR 12 YEAR OLD MIDDLE SCHOOL KID.

I GOT UP TO THAT GENERAL AND I STARTED TALKING AND I STARTED HYPERVENTILATING SO BAD I, I, I COULDN'T GET MY WORDS OUT.

NOW, THAT IS ME AS A 22 YEAR OLD.

AND YOU'RE HERE IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ONLINE, AND YOU'RE SPEAKING TO US.

SO I'M JUST SO PROUD, PROUD THAT THAT YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY AND I HOPE WE HAVE A GREAT 2023.

THANK YOU, DR. NOBLE.

DIRECTOR. NOBLE.

I'LL MAKE YOU A DOCTOR.

AN HONORARY DOCTOR.

DIRECTOR CHASE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

AND WELCOME. WELCOME, KAYLA.

AND I'M SO NICE TO SEE ALL OF OUR BOARD, OUR STUDENT MEMBERS.

DO BE SURE THAT WE LOOP BACK.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DOING SOME ADVOCACY WORK, WE CAN GET YOU PLUGGED IN.

I KNOW THAT WE'VE CONNECTED THERE.

SAME WITH OUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS PARTICULARLY ARE THOSE THAT REALIZED THAT THERE REALLY WERE NOT TAX IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF ROWS OF SEATS.

SO. SO THANK YOU FOR SITTING NORMALLY, FOLKS.

JUST KEEP SITTING FARTHER AND FARTHER BACK.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SITTING UP FRONT AND ALSO TESTIFY OR TESTIFYING, SPEAKING TONIGHT BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW NERVOUS WE CAN GET ME TO WRITE.

SO THAT'S REALLY I REALLY APPRECIATE.

YOU KNOW, YOU MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT IT REALLY FOSTERS A NICE SENSE OF BELONGING TO BE RECOGNIZED AND HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.

AND IT WAS VERY MOVING.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE ENTIRE EDMONDS COMMUNITY STAFF AND ADMIN FOR DOING THIS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY MY CAKE.

I'M NOT TREATING IT FOR ANYBODY.

YEAH, IT'S A GOOD DIRECTOR.

KILGORE. THANK YOU.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I HAVE BEEN VERY WELCOME, KAYLA, AND I WANT TO TIE IN MY WELCOME TO YOU.

I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE HERE.

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL ESPECIALLY BRING YOUR EXPERIENCE AS AN ATHLETE TO THE BOARDROOM.

LIKE DIRECTOR SMITH.

I HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN ATHLETICS AND I BROUGHT IT.

I HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE ROLES THAT I PLAY AS I SERVE AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR THE SCHOOL DIRECTORS.

ON THE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE.

I ALWAYS GET MY LETTERS MIXED UP, AND THAT MEANS THAT I'M AN HONORARY OR A NON-VOTING MEMBER OF THE NORTHWEST INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD.

SO WE'VE BEEN VERY ACTIVE LATELY.

I WAS AT THEIR MEETING YESTERDAY AND THEN I WAS AT THE WAS THE MEETING ON ZOOM, BUT I DROVE FOR THE NORTHWEST.

THAT'S DISTRICT ONE, WHICH GOES ALL THE WAY TO BURLINGTON OR UP TO THE CANADIAN BORDER AND DOWN TO SHORELINE, I GUESS.

SO IT'S A PRETTY BIG DISTRICT.

BUT ANYWAY.

AND I'M NOT GOING TO VOUCH FOR THESE STATISTICS, BUT THEY DID COME FROM THE WASHINGTON INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION.

[01:05:05]

BUT THEY SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE GOOD FOR KIDS.

KIDS WHO ENGAGE IN ATHLETICS AND OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ATTEND SCHOOL 21 MORE DAYS A YEAR.

THAT SEEMS HIGH, BUT NO DOUBT, I KNOW LOTS OF ATHLETES WHO DON'T WANT TO MISS A DAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO MISS PRACTICE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO TO PRACTICE IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN SCHOOL.

PHYSICALLY ACTIVE KIDS PERFORM BETTER ON STANDARDIZED TESTS.

KIDS LEARN ALL KINDS OF OTHER SKILLS WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING SPORTS, SOFT SKILLS, AND AND HOW TO WORK AS A TEAM AND HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE. AND THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO DO THINGS LIKE USE DRUGS.

AND AND I THINK GENERALLY SPEAKING, I'M GOING TO STOP READING THESE STATISTICS BECAUSE THEY SEEM A LITTLE SKETCHY, HONEST.

I'LL BE HONEST, BUT I'VE SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES.

KIDS DO BETTER ACADEMICALLY IF THEY'RE ENGAGED IN OTHER ACTIVITIES.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST SPORTS, BUT IT'S ALSO MUSIC, DRAMA AND OTHER CLUBS.

AND SO I'M A HUGE SUPPORTER AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

KAYLA AND AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THAT SPORTS AND OUR BOARD MEETINGS, WHICH I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WERE CONFLICTING.

BUT I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE AND YOU CAN BRING SOME OF THAT THAT EXPERIENCE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN BE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO YOUR ACADEMIC GROWTH AS THE ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES.

AND THAT'S ALL I'LL SAY.

THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU. I ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID.

I HAVE SOME BUSINESS PIECES TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THE SEARCH FOR A PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT.

WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE DR.

MINOR AND HER HELPING US THIS YEAR AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.

IT'S NOT EASY TO JUMP IN, BUT AS WE PROMISED THE COMMUNITY LAST YEAR, WE ARE DOING THE FULL COMPREHENSIVE SEARCH TO DO DUE DILIGENCE. SO TO GIVE YOU DATES AND EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING FROM NOW TO THE END, WE HAVE THESE FINAL DETAILS THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY THIS COMING FRIDAY THE 13TH IS WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO OUR SEARCH FIRM AND THEY WILL BE THE SEARCH FIRM WILL BE IDENTIFYING THE STRONGEST CANDIDATES WHO MEET THE DISTRICT'S CRITERIA AS IT WAS OUTLINED BY THE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY SURVEY THAT WE GOT FROM EVERYBODY, WHICH WAS OVER 1300 PEOPLE WHO GAVE US INPUT.

THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY, THE BOARD WILL MEET TO DECIDE SEMIFINALIST CANDIDATES TO BRING IN FOR AN INTERVIEW.

AND THEN ON FEBRUARY 2ND AND FEBRUARY 3RD, WE WILL HAVE THE SEMIFINALISTS INTERVIEWS.

THEY WILL NOT BE PUBLIC.

THAT'S A TIME THAT MANY CANDIDATES ARE NOT YET READY TO BE PUBLIC ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR A JOB THEY DON'T WANT THEIR DISTRICTS TO KNOW.

AND WE HONOR THAT SO THAT THAT WILL NOT BE PUBLIC.

IN ADDITION TO THE BOARD DOING THOSE SEMIFINALISTS INTERVIEWS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PANEL OF EIGHT OBSERVERS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO HELP GIVE US INPUT FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVES AS WELL ON THE SEMIFINALISTS CANDIDATES.

AND THAT WILL INCLUDE TWO STUDENTS, TWO TEACHERS, TWO PARENTS AND TWO SCHOOL LEVEL ADMINISTRATORS.

AT THE END OF THAT, FIRST ROUND OF INTERVIEWS WILL IDENTIFY CANDIDATES WHO WILL BE OUR FINALISTS.

THEN ON FEBRUARY 7TH AND FEBRUARY 8TH, WE WILL BE INTERVIEWING OUR FINALISTS.

THAT WILL BE PUBLIC.

PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHO THE FINALISTS ARE, AND THE FINALISTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO INTERVIEW WITH US IN MORE DEPTH, BUT TO VISIT OUR SCHOOLS, TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY, OUR BEAUTIFUL AREA, AND FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE THEIR SPOUSES TO HAVE THE OPTION TO ALSO COME, THAT WOULD BE A TIME FOR THEM TO COME AND SEE OUR AREA AND OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.

ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 7TH AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO MARK THIS DOWN IS GOING TO BE OUR COMMUNITY FORUM, AND THAT'LL BE A TIME FOR OUR FINALISTS TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK PUBLICLY WITH ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED.

THEY'LL GIVE SHORT PRESENTATIONS.

THE AUDIENCE CAN ASK SOME QUESTIONS, AND THEN THE AUDIENCE WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE WRITTEN FEEDBACK TO THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND THE TIMING WILL GIVE THE BOARD MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ OVER ALL THE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY FORUM ATTENDEES AS PART OF OUR FINAL DELIBERATIONS.

SO IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND GIVE THEIR INPUT.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, WHICH IS AT THE END OF ALL OF THAT ACTIVITY, WE WILL BE MAKING OUR FINAL DECISION AS TO WHOM WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN

[01:10:04]

AND WE'LL MAKE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THAT REGARDING OUR SELECTION, WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND THE SELECTED FINALISTS.

BUT IT'S A PRETTY STANDARD WAY OF GOING ABOUT DOING THAT.

SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE AS WE SAID THAT WE WOULD BE.

AND THIS IS A VERY FULL FLEDGED PROCESS AND WE'RE PLEASED FOR ALL OF THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IN OUR DISTRICT BECAUSE WE'RE A GREAT DISTRICT. JUST LOOK AT ALL OUR STUDENTS PROOF.

AND SO THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE TO SAY.

I'LL TURN IT OVER TO DR.

MINOR. I HAVE NOTHING ADDITIONAL THIS EVENING.

AND THEN THE LAST ITEM, WHICH IS ALWAYS ON OUR AGENDA IS DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANOTHER TOPIC THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED AT ANOTHER MEETING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US HAVE ON A BOARD MEETING? I SEE A LOT OF KNOW EVERYBODY IS GOOD.

SO FAR. OKAY, THAT SOUNDS GOOD THEN.

HAPPILY. THIS REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.