[00:00:03]
[1. CALL TO ORDER-6:30 pm]
THIS REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.[2. ROLL CALL-6:31 pm (ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATED)]
I'LL DO A ROLL CALL. DIRECTOR GARRARD.>> DIRECTOR CHASE IS UNABLE TO BE HERE, AND I'M DIRECTOR KATIMS, SO WE HAVE A QUORUM.
NEXT, DIRECTOR MINER WILL DO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
[3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-6:32 pm]
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR KATIMS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THIS PLACE, THE SADOBISH 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 WILL RISE AND JOIN ME IN THE FLAG SALUTE.
[4. FLAG SALUTE-6:33 pm]
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA-6:34 pm]
DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS PRESENTED?>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? HEARING NONE, TONIGHT'S AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
NEXT, WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE OUR NEW STUDENT ADVISORS FOR THIS YEAR.
[6. STUDENT ADVISOR OATH OF OFFICE- 6:35 pm]
WE HAVE MISSED YOU GUYS.YOU'RE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WORK, AND OUR ACCESS AS WE'RE DOING DECISIONS IN TERMS OF GIVING US YOUR STUDENT PERSPECTIVES.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DIRECTOR MINER TO DO OUR OATH OF OFFICE FOR YOU.
>> GREAT. IF I COULD HAVE OUR STUDENTS MEET ME DOWN THERE, AND CURTIS ISN'T HERE, BUT I'M WONDERING IF SOMEONE FROM COUNTY CAN DO A PHOTO.
LOOKS LIKE AARON'S GOT IT. THANK YOU.
ARE WE ALL SET? IF YOU COULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HANDS, PLEASE? I STATE YOUR NAME.
DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM THE DUTIES OF STUDENT ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT, ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
CAN WE HAVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEW STUDENT ADVISORS? [APPLAUSE] IF YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER, AND I'LL PASS THE MICE, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO, YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY?
MY SISTER IS HERE, AND THEY ARE MY FAMILY MEMBERS. [APPLAUSE]
>> WE'RE GOING TO GET TEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE FROM THEM LATER IN THE MEETING WHEN THEY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND CHAIR THEIR SCHOOLS AND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
[7. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-6:40 pm]
>> THIS EVENING, I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ENROLLMENT.
OUR ENROLLMENT NUMBERS ARE DOWN A BIT THIS YEAR.
SO FAR, WE ARE DOWN ABOUT 350 STUDENTS IN BASIC EDUCATION THAT IS FROM THROUGH THE K-12 CONTINUUM.
UNLIKE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, ALL THREE LEVELS ARE DOWN A BIT.
THIS IS TRACKING WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE REGION.
[00:05:02]
WE KNOW THIS ISN'T THE LOW ENROLLMENT FOR US THIS YEAR, AS STUDENTS CONTINUE TO GET THE THINGS DONE, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ENROLL.WE WILL SEE ADDITIONAL STUDENTS ARRIVE.
IT WOULD BE UNUSUAL TO MAKE UP 350 STUDENTS.
WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT OUR END-OF-YEAR ENROLLMENT WILL BE SOMEWHAT BELOW BUDGET, BUT WE CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES, TRY TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT WE CAN TO ENROLL THEM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO LET OUR COMMUNITY KNOW THAT.
THAT'S ALL I HAD THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU. HOPEFULLY, THOSE NUMBERS WILL GO UP.
NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
[8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-6:45 pm]
TONIGHT, WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES.ONE IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, SPECIAL MEETING, WHICH WAS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND ONE IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING.
DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE BOTH THESE SETS OF MINUTES?
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE BOTH SETS OF MINUTES.
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? HEARING NONE, BOTH SETS OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2025, THE SPECIAL MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING ARE APPROVED.
[9. PUBLIC COMMENTS-6:50 pm]
NEXT, WE HAVE THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.THE GUIDELINES REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE ON EACH BOARD MEETING AGENDA, AND THERE'S A COPY ON THE TABLE WHERE PEOPLE SIGN IN TO MAKE A COMMENT.
WE ASK THAT YOU LIMIT YOUR COMMENT TO THREE MINUTES, PLEASE.
A TIMER WILL BE RUNNING SO THAT YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR TIME.
PLEASE BE SURE TO TELL US YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE DISTRICT, AND THE AGENDA ITEM OR SCHOOL DISTRICT TOPIC THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE ADDRESSING TONIGHT.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE MADE FROM THIS FRONT PODIUM FACING US, AND THEY'RE DIRECTED TO THE BOARD, NOT TO THE AUDIENCE.
WOULD YOU START? I HAVEN'T PULLED UP THE LIST YET.
>> YES. OUR FIRST COMMENT HERE THIS EVENING IS BRIAN HARTMAN.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS BRIAN HARTMAN.
I AM A PARENT OF A SIXTH GRADER OF WESTGATE ELEMENTARY.
I'M HERE TO DISCUSS THE MANDATORY ENROLLMENT IN BAND AND INSTRUMENTS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THIS DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
THIS POLICY IS HARMFUL AND DOES NOT HAVE AN OPT-OUT.
IT'S HARMFUL BECAUSE IT INCURS COMPULSORY COSTS ON BOTH PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
TEACHERS HAVE ACTED AS SHELLS FOR KENNELLY KEYS CORPORATION BY TELLING STUDENTS NOT TO ACQUIRE INSTRUMENTS FROM AMAZON, EVEN THOUGH ONE THIRD OF THE PRICE TO PURCHASE VERSUS THE RENTAL COSTS FROM KENNELLY KEYS.
THIS IS AN APPARENT AND ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
TIME COMMITMENTS, IT IS CLEAR FROM THE POLICY SENT HOME LAST WEEK THAT THE DISTRICT EXPECTS PARENTS TO HAVE STUDENTS ATTEND CLASSES OUT OF REGULAR CLASS TIME AT PERFORMANCES, AS WELL AS PRACTICE.
THIS CONFLICTS WITH ALREADY MADE COMMITMENTS BY PARENTS TO OTHER OBLIGATIONS, INCLUDING SPORTS, STUDY, TUTORING, NO CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO PARENTAL DESIRES.
SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY PARENTS.
THE DISTRICT BY ITS FLIERS, OBVIOUSLY IMPLORES THAT THE BAND IS HIGHER PRIORITY.
PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT IS NOT A NECESSARY LIFE SKILL.
WHY IS IT BEING REQUIRED? SOME STUDENTS MAY ORDER BE ENROLLED AS AN INSTRUMENT THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST THAT'S BEING PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT.
DRUMS, GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, CLARINET, FRENCH HORN, TUBA, BAGPIPES, COWBELL.
NONE OF THESE ARE INCLUDED, YET CAN ALL BE PLAYED BY STUDENTS.
THIS POLICY WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE ABILITY OF PARENTS TO CHOOSE THE INSTRUMENT THEY WANT THEIR STUDENTS TO PLAY.
SOME STUDENTS, EITHER DUE TO NEURODIVERGENCE OR PERSONAL PREFERENCE, MAY NOT WANT TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT OR MAY BE UNABLE TO DO SO.
FORCING STUDENTS TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT OR BE PUNISHED AND REMOVED FROM CLASS FOR FAILURE TO DO SO IS AN INEXCUSABLE BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THIS DISTRICT.
DIRECTOR KATIMS, YOU HAVE MENTIONED YOURSELF AT PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS THAT THE HEAVY-HANDED NATURE OF THE LEGISLATURE BY DICTATING POLICIES TO THIS BOARD FOR LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE POLICIES, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
YET THIS BOARD AND THIS DISTRICT SAYS, PARENTS, WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, AND YOUR STUDENT WILL TAKE AN INSTRUMENT.
THAT'S HYPOCRISY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
FRANKLY, THE POLICY FOR BAN FOR SIXTH GRADERS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND THE WHY IS NOT RELEVANT.
IT DOES NOT PROMOTE LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT.
[00:10:01]
IT CREATES BAD WILL TOWARDS THE DISTRICT, IS HEAVY-HANDED, IGNORES PARENTS, AND CREATES OUTCOMES FROM SOME STUDENTS THAT WILL BE BAD BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY OR UNWILLINGNESS TO LEARN TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT.THE BOARD NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY OVERRIDE THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AND OR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND ALLOW FOR AN OPT-OUT TO THIS POLICY TO ALLOW PARENTS TO MAKE THE DECISION TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF THIS CLASS. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS STEVEN KDDLER, K-D-D-L-E-R.
I'M A RESIDENT OF EDMONDS, A TAXPAYER WITH NO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS.
I SPEAK TONIGHT ON REMEDIAL CLASSES.
IN THE FALL OF 2022, I MADE A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST TO SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TO EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
I SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT THE DATA AND THE RESULTS OF THOSE TWO REQUESTS.
THE TOP PAGE IS FROM SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE SECOND PARAGRAPH IS REALLY THE SUMMARY.
FEWER THAN 10 STUDENTS WHO WERE SELF-IDENTIFIED AS HAVING ATTENDED EDMONDS DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS WERE ENROLLED IN MATH 47 AT SHORELINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE FALL OF 2022.
IF YOU TURN THE PAGE, THE SECOND PAGE IS THE RESULTS FROM EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
THEY HAVE SUMMARIZED THEIR RESULTS AS A CONVENIENT SMALL TABLE.
FALL 2022 EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADS ENROLLMENT.
THESE ARE COURSES THAT I WOULD CONSIDER AS REMEDIAL.
THE COURSE NUMBER IS LESS THAN 100 IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE CATALOG.
THERE WERE NO EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATES IN ANY ENGLISH REMEDIAL COURSE.
THERE WERE TWO GRADUATES ENROLLED IN A HIGHER-LEVEL, BUT STILL REMEDIAL COURSE.
IN MATH 47, 16 GRADUATES WERE ENROLLED.
IN MATH 77, NINE GRADUATES WERE ENROLLED.
FINALLY, IN MATH 87, 25 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED.
I FOUND THESE NUMBERS SURPRISING.
NEXT MONTH, I WILL MAKE A SECOND REQUEST FOR THE SAME DATA FROM BOTH COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN VIOLATION OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION? LET ME PUT THE QUESTION ANOTHER WAY.
AS A TAXPAYER, I'M PAYING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION K-12.
WHY, AS A TAXPAYER, SHOULD I BE CONTRIBUTING IN PART, ADDITIONAL MONEY TO TEACH STUDENTS CONTENT THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BEFORE THEY GRADUATED? I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS. THANK YOU.
>> KAREN MOSSMAN, MOUNTLAKE TERRACE.
I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR KATIMS, ALONG WITH THE ESD, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, FOR HOSTING THE READING OF THE US CONSTITUTION LAST TUESDAY EVENING.
IT IS A GOOD REMINDER OF A GREAT NATION THAT WE ALL ARE PRIVILEGED TO LIVE IN AND THAT WE ARE A NATION THAT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC AND NOT A DEMOCRACY. THANK YOU.
I'M JESS GRANT, A TAXPAYER FROM PARNVILL.
[00:15:01]
HERE TO REVISIT OUR DISCUSSION OF THE DISTRICT'S GENDER INCLUSIVE POLICY, A POLICY WHICH HARMS THE FEMALE STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.LAST MONTH, WE DISCUSSED THE PHYSICAL DANGER OF ALLOWING BOYS TO COMPETE IN GIRLS' SPORTS LEAGUES AND FOCUSED ON THE CASE OF VOLLEYBALL PLAYER PEYTON MCNAB, WHO WAS PERMANENTLY INJURED BY A MALE PLAYER.
THIS WEEK, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ALLOWING BOYS ACCESS TO GIRLS' LOCKER ROOMS.
>> IN A CASE CALLED TENNESSEE VS CARDONA, WHERE A DISTRICT COURT WAS EVALUATING TITLE 9.
A GIRL KNOWN AS AICY SUBMITTED A MOTION IN WHICH SHE STATED UNDER OATH THE FOLLOWING, AND I QUOTE, "IN SIXTH THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE, I ATTENDED BRIDGEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL, BMS. IN SEVENTH GRADE IN 2021, I JOINED THE GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM.
I COMPETED IN THE HUNDRED METER SHORT PIVOT SHOTPUT, AND DISCS.
TO MY SURPRISE, ANOTHER BMS STUDENT NAMED BP JOINED THE GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM.
BECAUSE I KNOW BP'S OLDER BROTHER, I KNEW THAT BP WAS A BOY WHO IDENTIFIED AS A GIRL.
WHEN BP WAS FIRST PUT ON THE GIRLS TEAM, I DECIDED TO CHANGE CLOTHES IN THE RESTROOM INSTEAD OF THE LOCKER ROOM FOR MORE PRIVACY.
BUT WHEN THEY CLOSED THE LOCKER ROOMS, THE ENTIRE GIRLS TEAM HAD TO CHANGE IN THE GIRLS BATHROOMS. I HAVE NEVER MINDED CHANGING CLOTHES IN FRONT OF OTHER GIRLS. WE ARE THE SAME.
BUT WHEN BP STARTED CHANGING CLOTHES WITH US, I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE AND DECIDED TO CHANGE IN THE BATHROOM STALL FOR MORE PRIVACY.
ALSO, IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO SHOWER IN THE GIRLS LOCKER ROOM WITH BOYS THERE.
BP MADE SEVERAL OFFENSIVE, INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL COMMENTS TO ME.
AT FIRST, I TRIED TO IGNORE IT.
BUT DURING MY FINAL YEAR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, HE MADE INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL COMMENTS A LOT MORE OFTEN.
IT INCREASED THROUGHOUT THAT YEAR, AND THE COMMENTS BECAME MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE, VILE, AND DISTURBING.
SOMETIMES HIS COMMENTS WERE JUST ANNOYING, BUT OTHER TIMES I FELT REALLY EMBARRASSED AND DIDN'T WANT TO REPEAT THE GROSS THINGS HE SAID.
THERE WERE USUALLY OTHER GIRLS WHO HEARD THIS, AND I HEARD HIM SAY THE SAME THINGS TO MY TEAMMATES.
BP MADE OTHER MORE EXPLICIT SEXUAL STATEMENTS THAT FEEL THREATENING IN THE LOCKER ROOM ON THE TRACK AND IN THE THROWING PIT.
I WAS TOLD THAT BP WAS ON THE GIRLS TEAM BECAUSE HE IDENTIFIED AS A GIRL, BUT THE GIRLS ON THE TEAM NEVER TALKED LIKE THAT." WE SHOULD NOT BE PUTTING THE GIRLS IN OUR DISTRICT AT RISK OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT LIKE THIS.
YET, THE GENDER INCLUSIVE POLICY DOES JUST THAT BY GIVING MALE ATHLETES ACCESS TO FEMALE SPACES WHILE SILENCING GIRLS WHO OBJECT.
IF THIS HAPPENS IN OUR DISTRICT AND THE GIRL SUES THE DISTRICT, WHAT WILL YOUR DEFENSE BE? YOU CAN'T SAY YOU DIDN'T KNOW, BECAUSE I JUST TOLD YOU.
ACT NOW TO DEFEND THE SAFETY, FAIRNESS, AND DIGNITY OF GIRLS SPORTS BY REPEALING THE GENDER INCLUSIVE POLICY. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS PATRICK SEVERSON, AND I RESIDE IN LINWOOD.
I HAVE LIVED WITHIN THIS DISTRICT FOR OVER 26 YEARS.
I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THIS DISTRICT OVER 15 YEARS NOW.
I AM ONLY ONE OF TWO ELECTRICIANS IN THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT, AND BOTH OF MY KIDS HAVE GRADUATED WITHIN THIS DISTRICT.
I CURRENTLY HAVE TWO GRANDKIDS COMING UP INTO THIS DISTRICT.
WE WANT A FAIR CONTRACT FOR ALL THAT SHOWS US RESPECT.
THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CARRIE DRAKE.
I LIVE IN STANWOOD. SORRY. IS THAT BETTER? GOT YOU. GOOD EVENING.
I LIVE IN STANWOOD. I WORK AS A PLUMBER FOR THE DISTRICT.
I HAVE SERVED FOR 10 YEARS, SERVING BASICALLY AS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY AND YOU GUYS.
SEIU 925 UNION MEMBERS VOTED DOWN THE AGREEMENT, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I AND MY CO WORKERS DESERVE A CONTRACT THAT SHOWS RESPECT AS WE RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE.
[00:20:01]
>> GOOD EVENING. FOR THOSE OF YOU DON'T KNOW ME.
I AM AN HVAC TECHNICIAN FOR THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IN MY 28 YEARS OF SERVICE, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE.
SOME OF IT'S GOOD, SOME OF IT NOT SO GOOD.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THE MAINTENANCE TEAM.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HARD WORKING, DEDICATED PEOPLE THAT COME IN EVERY DAY BEFORE THE SCHOOL, START A SCHOOL, AND MAKE SURE THESE BUILDINGS ARE UP AND RUNNING, WARM AND SAFE FOR THE KIDS AND THE STAFF THAT OCCUPY THEM.
MOST OF THE WORK WE DO IS BEHIND THE SCENES, AND PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE THE THINGS THAT WE DO, UNTIL THEY DON'T WORK.
SINCE I STARTED, THE DISTRICT HAS CUT THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ALMOST IN HALF AND HAS CONSTRUCTED NEWER, LARGER BUILDINGS WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL ALWAYS JUST RUN PROPERLY WHEN THEY SHOW UP.
WE ALL DO OUR BEST, BUT WE ARE GETTING TIRED AS THE WORKLOAD CONTINUES TO GROW.
WE RECENTLY STARTED NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE DISTRICT WANTS TO CUT US MORE BY TAKING AWAY OUR MIDPOINT ADJUSTMENTS AND OUR COST OF LIVING INCREASES.
ALL OF THE HARD WORK DESERVES MORE THAN THAT.
WE DESERVE TO BE RESPECTED FOR WHAT WE DO, NOT CUT LIKE WE DON'T MATTER.
I TRULY HOPE THIS DOESN'T FALL ON DEAF EARS, BECAUSE WE DO MATTER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE]
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LIAM BAXTER.
THIS IS MY FIRST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING I'VE EVER DONE.
THE TOPIC I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE MAINTENANCE WORKING AGREEMENTS.
I'M A HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIAN AT THE DISTRICT.
I HELP ENSURE THE SCHOOL STAY OPEN.
I'VE BEEN SERVING THE DISTRICT STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
I STARTED SERVING THE PUBLIC SECTOR AT EDMONDS COLLEGE.
AFTER THAT I GOT I'M CURRENTLY A PART OF THE POW WOW COMMITTEE OVER THERE.
EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN LAST YEAR, I'M REALLY HOPING WE COULD DO IT NEXT YEAR.
ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH THE TRADES IN BRIER AT THE BR INGLE KING SCHOOL IN HVAC.
I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS NOW.
I EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT DUE TO THE SKILLED TRADES GAP RIGHT NOW.
ESSENTIALLY, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND FOR THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR US.
IT HAS BEEN CUT DOWN IN HALF AND EVEN THOUGH I'VE ONLY BEEN WORKING AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY INTERESTING CHANGE BASED ON THE OTHER FACILITIES I'VE WORKED AT, INCLUDING AT TLL.
I'M REALLY HOPING YOU GUYS CAN CONSIDER YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.
WE ALL PUT OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO THE DEPARTMENT.
I'M REALLY HOPING WE CAN FIGURE OUT A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND HERE.
BUT, YEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS JASON DIAMOND.
I LIVE IN MARYSVILLE, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR NOW 40 YEARS AND BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
WORK FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, SHOP FOREMAN, AND WE TRY AND GET ALL OF OUR SCHOOL BUSES READY FOR THE STUDENTS.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD WITH LIMITED STAFF AND LIMITED FUNDING.
WE'RE ALL HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS TO SEE IF WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME IN THE BARGAINING AND GET A BETTER CONTRACT.
I SIT ALSO ON THE AUTOMOTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, BEEN DOING THAT FOR 20 YEARS NOW, AND I DO THAT AS VOLUNTEERING,
[00:25:02]
TRYING TO GET OUR STUDENTS INTO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, AND IT IS A BIG HELP HOPING TO GET THOSE STUDENTS INTO OUR CAREERS.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPE YOU CONSIDER OUR SITUATION.
I WORKED FOR THE DISTRICT FOR 29 YEARS IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT.
I'M AN INVENTORY CONTROL SPECIALIST/MECHANIC.
WE WOULD LIKE A FAIR CONTRACT FOR ALL THAT SHOWS US RESPECT AS WE RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TIM COMBS, AND I LIVE IN BRIER.
I DO COMPUTER REPAIR, AND I JUST COMPLETED MY 40TH YEAR WITH THE DISTRICT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, AS YOU KNOW, WE VOTED DOWN OUR PROPOSAL.
THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST CONTRACT THAT I HAVE VOTED ON, AND I JUST THINK THAT WE DO A GOOD JOB AND WE FELT UNDERVALUED AND NOT RESPECTED.
SO WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR RESPECT AND VALUE WHEN WE GO BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS JORDAN TROMPLER. DID I GET THAT RIGHT?
I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE DISTRICT FOR A LITTLE OVER SIX YEARS NOW.
I'M THE GROUNDS DEPARTMENT MECHANIC, AND AS IT'S BEEN STATED, THE CONTRACT WAS VOTED DOWN, AND WE'RE LOOKING TO GO BACK AND GET TREATED WITH RESPECT AND HOPEFULLY COMPENSATED FAIRLY.
>> MY NAME IS CHARLES TOWNSEND.
I'M A RESIDENT OF EDMONDS, AND I'M AN HVAC TECHNICIAN WITH LIAM AND TIM FOR THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'VE BEEN WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR OVER 10 YEARS.
I'M ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF OUR SEIU MAINTENANCE BARGAINING GROUP.
OUR GROUP DID NOT PASS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE DISTRICT.
AFTER MANY MEETINGS WITH THE DISTRICT, IPD AND MIDPOINT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DISTRICT WANTS TO GET AWAY FROM PASSING THROUGH OUR COST OF LIVING INCREASE OR IPD AND NOT WANTING TO CONTINUE WITH MIDPOINT FOR OUR GROUP.
I FIND THIS A RIDICULOUS ARGUMENT AS THERE ARE MANY OTHER GROUPS THAT HAVE IPD PASS THROUGH LANGUAGE AND THOSE WHO USE MIDPOINT.
I WOULD GLADLY PUT OUR MIDPOINT UP AGAINST ALL OTHER GROUPS.
WE ARE WITHIN 1-2% IN ALL OF OUR CLASSIFICATIONS.
WE ARE NOT OVERPAID, WE ARE NOT UNDERPAID.
THIS IS A FAIR WAY TO SET WAGES.
WE ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER DISTRICTS, AND SO WE RETAIN THESE GOOD EMPLOYEES.
MANY OF OUR MAINTENANCE GROUP HAVE OVER TEN TO 30 YEARS OF LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THIS DISTRICT.
OUR KIDS AND SOME GRANDKIDS GO TO OUR SCHOOLS.
WE ARE TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS IN THIS DISTRICT.
WE WANT A FAIR CONTRACT FOR ALL THAT SHOWS US RESPECT.
>> THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THEIR TIME TO COME AND SPEAK WITH US.
TONIGHT, THE NEXT THING ON OUR AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA,
[10. CONSENT AGENDA-7:20 pm]
WHICH IS A GROUP OF ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WE CAN VOTE ON TOGETHER, DISCUSS TOGETHER, OR SEPARATE IF WE SO CHOOSE.THERE ARE SEVEN ITEMS TONIGHT.
FIVE HAVE TO DO WITH PERSONNEL AND STAFF AGREEMENTS.
ONE IS THE PURCHASE OF DOCUMENT CAMERAS USING THE 2024 TECH LEVY, AND ONE IS A FIELD TRIP.
DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
[00:30:01]
HEARING NO OBJECTIONS.TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
REPORTS, AND I'LL TURN THAT OVER TO DR. MINER.
[11. REPORTS-7:30 pm]
>> JUST ONE REPORT THIS EVENING, OUR BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT.
WELCOMING FORWARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LYDIA SALLY TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF JULY 2025 WITH US.
>> GOOD EVENING. THIS WILL BE THE LAST REPORT FOR A FEW MONTHS.
AUGUST 31 WAS THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 42425, AND WE PRESENT THE FINAL YEAR END REPORT TO YOU IN NOVEMBER.
THERE'S SOME WORK TO BE DONE TO BALANCE THE BOOKS AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THAT'S IN REPORTS.
I JUST MENTIONED THAT IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE EXPENDITURES UNDER ACTUAL, THOSE NUMBERS DO INCLUDE ENCUMBRANCES.
IF WE DON'T ACTUALLY UTILIZE THE SERVICE OR PURCHASE THE GOODS BEFORE AUGUST 1, THEN THOSE ENCUMBRANCES WILL CLEAR OUT AND BE MOVED TO 25/26 INSTEAD.
SOME OF THESE ENCUMBRANCES MAY BE EXPENDED BEFORE THE YEAR END.
SOME OF THESE ENCUMBRANCES MAY BE SPENT IN 25/26 INSTEAD, AND SOME MAY BE CLOSED OUT BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T NEEDED AFTER ALL.
SO THAT'S THE HIGHER WATER MARK IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.
JUST MY PERIODIC REMINDER THAT WHEN WE BUDGET FOR TRAVEL, WE ONLY BUDGET THE INCIDENTAL TRAVEL OF EMPLOYEES WHO ARE LOCATED AT MORE THAN ONE BUILDING AND NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THEIR MILEAGE FROM GOING FROM ONE SCHOOL TO THE NEXT.
WE CAN'T ANTICIPATE WHAT STUDENT TRAVEL IS, AND IT'S USUALLY FUNDED BY OTHER SOURCES.
THAT IS WHY THAT TRAVEL BUDGET IS OFTEN EXCEEDED IS BECAUSE OF THOSE FIELD TRIPS, WHICH, AGAIN, HAVE A DIFFERENT SOURCE OF REVENUES.
THEY EITHER FUND RAISE OR IT COMES FROM A TRANSFER FROM THE ASB OR A DONATION OR PARENT PARTICIPATION IN THE COSTS.
CAPITAL OUTLAY IS ALSO HIGHER THAN BUDGET.
WE DID HAVE TO REPLACE SOME FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS THERE WAS SOME VEHICLES IN OUR MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO REPLACE.
THIS IS AN EASY SLIDE BECAUSE REALLY, THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FROM OUR JUNE REPORT.
SO WE ARE STILL TRACKING AS WE DID THIS SUMMER.
ALSO, OUR PROJECTED ENDING FUND BALANCE IS, AGAIN, RIGHT ABOUT WHERE WE REPORTED IN JUNE.
MINER POINTED OUT, OUR ENROLLMENT IS NOT COMING IN, WHERE WE WANT IT THIS FALL, SO WE MAY NEED TO UTILIZE SOME OF THE 24/25 FUND BALANCE TO MAKE UP FOR ANY APPORTIONMENT SHORTAGES THIS YEAR DUE TO ENROLLMENT SHORTAGE.
THEN OUR LAST COUNT DATE FOR ENROLLMENT IS IN JUNE, BUT THE TEAM HAS UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS.
THERE'S A TINY BIT OF CHANGE SINCE THE JUNE REPORT.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S ESSENTIALLY AS IT WAS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
IF YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO DR.
MINER, AND I WILL GET YOU A RESPONSE.
OTHERWISE, I'LL BE BRINGING THE YEAR END OF NOVEMBER.
THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? STUDENTS YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK UP AT ANY TIME IF YOU HAD A QUESTION OR A COMMENT.
I KNOW THE BUDGET IS A LITTLE MORE INTIMIDATING, BUT JUST WANTING YOU TO KNOW. EVERYBODY GOOD?
>> JUST TO SAY THAT, THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO HAVE A FUND BALANCE IN PLACE FOR UNKNOWN FACTORS LIKE HOW MANY KIDS ARE GOING TO SHOW UP?
[00:35:05]
I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO RECOVER SOME OF THOSE, BUT LIKE DR.MINER SAID, IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO RECOVER ALL OF THEM.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU, LYDIA SO MUCH AS ALWAYS, FOR YOUR REALLY HELPFUL REPORTS.
NEXT, WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA, UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
[12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS- 7:50 pm]
>> TWO ITEMS OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST IS ITEM 12.1 TO APPROVE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2110.
DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2110, WHICH IS ABOUT THE TRANSITIONAL BILINGUAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I BELIEVE THERE WERE NO CHANGES SINCE OUR FIRST READING.
THAT'S CORRECT. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2110 ON THE TRANSITIONAL BILINGUAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
ANY ABSTENTIONS? BOARD POLICY 2110, TRANSITIONAL BILINGUAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM IS APPROVED.
>> JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE NICOLE RODRIGUEZ, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF MLO PROGRAMS IN THE BACK.
AS I EXPLAINED TO THE STUDENTS WHEN THEY JOINED US.
THE SECOND READING TENDS TO GO QUICKLY, AND WITH LITTLE FANFARE.
BUT REALLY, THE POLICIES ALWAYS REPRESENT AT A MINIMUM WEEKS, SOMETIMES MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS OF WORK BEHIND THEM.
THESE POLICIES ALLOW US TO SET THE PATH MOVING FORWARD.
NICOLE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN WORKING ON THIS, AND I KNOW SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO CARRYING OUT THE ASPIRATIONAL NATURE OF THIS POLICY.
THANK YOU, NICOLE, FOR YOUR WORK.
>> ALL RIGHT, NEXT. ITEM 12.2, A SECOND READING TO APPROVE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2020.
AS WE DISCUSSED, IT IS REQUIRED THAT WE ADOPT THE WSSDA MODEL POLICY ON THIS POLICY.
HOWEVER, WE REACHED OUT TO OSPI AND WE'RE ALLOWED TO ADD A LINE BACK INTO THE POLICY, AND THAT CHANGE IS NOTED HERE.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2020, WHICH IS ON COURSE DESIGN, SELECTION, AND ADOPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I DO WANT TO POINT OUT, EVEN THOUGH WHEN WE BROUGHT THIS UP AT A FIRST READING, AND I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE TELLING US WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING WHEN WE SAID TO THEM, WE WANTED TO READ THE WAY IT HAD ORIGINALLY READ.
THEY SAID, FINE. IT IS A WIN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2020 ON COURSE DESIGN SELECTION, AND ADOPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO BOARD POLICY 2020 ON COURSE DESIGN, SELECTION, AND ADOPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IS APPROVED.
[13. NEW BUSINESS- 8:10 pm]
WE HAVE FIVE ITEMS OF NEW BUSINESS.THE FIRST IS 13.1, A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-22 FOR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS CONFERENCE.
IF WE HAVE A NEW BOARD MEMBER ELECTED IN NOVEMBER, BECAUSE THE CONFERENCE OCCURS BEFORE THE PERSON IS SWORN IN, WE HAVE TO DO A RESOLUTION IF WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THEM TO ATTEND THAT CONFERENCE.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 25-22 FOR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBER TO ATTEND WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE?
>> 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 OF APPROVING RESOLUTION 25-22 FOR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBER TO ATTEND THE WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
RESOLUTION 25-22 FOR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBER TO ATTEND WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IS APPROVED.
[00:40:04]
>> NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 13.2, A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AS TIER 2 OR 3 PLUS UNDER THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK.
WE NORMALLY APPROVE ALL OF OUR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS TOGETHER, BUT WE DO GET A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING FOR THESE SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE WSSDA.
THAT GRANT IS DUE ON OCTOBER 31, AND THESE PARTICULAR SCHOOLS AS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD IN ADVANCE OF GRANT SUBMITTAL BY OCTOBER 31.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE 2025 26 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TIER 3 OR TIER 3+ UNDER THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK.
>> POINT OF CLARIFICATION, IS IT TIER 2 AND TIER 3+ OR IS IT TIER 3 AND TIER 3+? BECAUSE IT'S WRITTEN DOWN AND I HEARD DR. MINER SAY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
>> YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
I MUST HAVE MISREAD. I APOLOGIZE.
IN 13.2 IT SAYS TIER 3 OR TIER 3+, AND THAT IS EQUAL TO WHAT IT SAYS IN THE BACKGROUND. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR. THANK YOU.
>> I BELIEVE I SAID THAT CORRECTLY WHEN I JUST READ IT.
>> DR. MINER SAID SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
>> JUST A CLARIFICATION. WHERE ARE WE?
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
>> QUESTION. ARE THERE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE MOVED IN OR OUT OF THIS CATEGORY?
>> I GUESS THERE ARE. JASON, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THOSE SPECIFICALLY?
>> THE SCHOOLS IN THE WSSDA IMPROVEMENT ARE ON A THREE YEAR CYCLE.
ONE SCHOOL ACTUALLY DID MOVE OUT OF THAT CYCLE THIS YEAR, THAT WAS LINDALE, SO THEY ARE NOT ON THIS LIST.
>> BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE WITHIN THE THREE YEAR CYCLE?
>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT. BUT THEY'VE CHANGED THE TIMING OF THE SIPS BEING DUE.
>> ARE THERE ANY NEW ONES THAT ARE ON THIS LIST THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ON THIS LIST BEFORE?
>> I'M PRESUMING THAT THE PLANS THAT ARE UNDERWAY ARE ALSO, LIKE THREE YEAR PLANS OR THAT THEY ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED TO ADDRESS THE DEFICITS?
>> YEAH. IT'S A SINGLE YEAR PLAN WITHIN THAT LARGER THREE YEAR BROAD PLAN.
>> GOT IT. WHAT OSPI WANTS TO SEE NOW IS THE ONE YEAR PLAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
>> DO WE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW THEY DID ON THEIR FIRST YEAR OR THE LAST PREVIOUS YEAR WITHIN THE THREE YEARS? THE YEAR THAT JUST CONCLUDED.
>> YEAH. WELL, AFTER THE CYCLE IS OVER, THEY'D BE RE EVALUATED.
IT'S A MORE DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER.
THE WAY THE SCHOOLS END UP ON THE WSSDA CYCLE IS EVALUATING MANY DIFFERENT AREAS, INCLUDING SMALLER SUBSETS OF STUDENTS IN CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC AREAS.
WE HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENT FROM SOME SCHOOLS, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT SEVEN DIFFERENT BUILDINGS HERE.
WE WERE ALL EXCITED THAT LINDALE WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WSSDA CYCLE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REWARD FOR MOVING OUT IS NOT GETTING THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
BUT THE SIPS, AS I REVIEWED THEM, SHOW CLEAR IDEAS FOR HOW THEY CAN MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.
I GUESS ONE SCHOOL I CAN CALL OUT SPECIFICALLY, MALIK TERRACE ELEMENTARY, MADE IMPRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH THEIR ELA AND MATH SBA SCORES IN THE SPRING.
WE DO SEE IMPROVEMENT THROUGH THIS.
>> ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE WAY THEY ARE IDENTIFIED IS THAT IT'S RELATIVITY TO OTHER SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.
A SCHOOL COULD MAKE NO IMPROVEMENT IN THEORY AND COME OFF OF THIS LIST BECAUSE OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE FALLEN BEHIND OR A SCHOOL COULD MAKE GREAT IMPROVEMENT, BUT BECAUSE OTHERS HAD MADE EVEN VASTER IMPROVEMENT, THEY COULD STAY ON.
IT IS RELATIVITY TO OTHER SCHOOLS AS WELL.
IS THERE A PERCENTAGE THAT OSPI HAS SET FOR THESE NUMBER OR THIS PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOLS,
[00:45:04]
IF YOU'RE IN THE BOTTOM, WHATEVER, EVEN IF EVERYBODY IN THE STATE GOES LIKE THIS, IF YOU'RE IN THE BOTTOM, EVEN THOUGH THE BOTTOM HAS MOVED UP.>> AS IT SAYS IN THE BACKGROUND, THE LOWEST PERFORMING 5% OF ALL SCHOOLS FOR THE ALL STUDENTS GROUP, OR IF THEY ARE HIGH SCHOOLS WITH A GRADUATION RATE BELOW 67%.
>> BASICALLY, THE 5% MEANS THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE SCHOOLS THERE.
FOR THE GRAD RATE, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
INTERESTING. SORRY. BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS. THANKS, JASON.
HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE 25 26 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TIER 3 OR TIER 3+ UNDER THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.
THE 25-26 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AT TIER 3 OR TIER 3+, UNDER THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK HAS BEEN APPROVED.
>> ITEM 13.3 IS A SINGLE READING APPROVED THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND LEASE WITH HOUSING HOPE.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND LEASE WITH HOUSING HOPE?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE IN A SECOND.
>> THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THEIR TIMELINE.
THIS WAS MORE ADMINISTRATIVE, I GUESS.
HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND LEASE WITH HOUSING HOPE, PLEASE INDICATE WITH AN AYE.
THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND LEASE WITH HOUSING HOPE IS APPROVED.
>> ITEM 13.4 IS A SINGLE READING APPROVAL OF COLLEGE PLACE ELEMENTARY AND COLLEGE PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOLS BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENTS.
JUST TO BE REALLY CLEAR, THIS IS ACTUALLY ADJUSTING THE PROPERTY LINES OF THOSE PARCELS, NOT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS, ET CETERA.
>> THANK YOU. DO I HEAR A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND FOR THE COLLEGE PLACE ELEMENTARY AND COLLEGE PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOLS BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENTS?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
DO I HEAR ANY DISCUSSION? IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S AN EFFICIENCY THING TO BRING BOTH PARCELS TOGETHER INTO ONE PARCEL.
SINCE THE SCHOOLS ARE SHARING SPACES, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.
>> I AGREE. I THINK IT'S A VERY EFFICIENT USE OF THE SPACE, THE LAND, AND THE RESOURCES THAT WE'RE PUTTING BEHIND THIS PROJECT, SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS.
>> IT IS EXCITING. WE WANT THIS TO MOVE AHEAD.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE COLLEGE PLACE ELEMENTARY AND COLLEGE PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOLS BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENTS, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
>> ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE COLLEGE PLACE ELEMENTARY AND COLLEGE PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOLS, BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENTS ARE APPROVED.
>> THE FINAL ITEM THIS EVENING IS 13.5, A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE CONTRACT AWARD TO COAST TO COAST TURF FOR MEADOWDALE FIELD.
>> DO I HEAR A MOTION IN A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT AWARD TO COAST TO COAST TURF AND ASTRO TURF CORPORATION COMPANY FOR THE MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL FIELD UPGRADES PROJECT?
>> I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND.
>> I THINK ON BEHALF OF DIRECTOR CHASE, I SHOULD SAY, IT'S VERY EXCITING TO SEE THAT IT SAYS KIRK CORK INFILL, THAT'S NOT CRUMB RUBBER.
I KNOW SHE'D BE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT.
>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALSO, I'D LIKE TO, AS ALWAYS THANK OUR VOTERS FOR APPROVING OUR 2024 LEVY BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY ABLE TO DO THIS UPGRADE THROUGH THE FUNDING THAT WE GOT FROM THE 2024 LEVY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONTRACT AWARD TO COAST TO COAST TURF AND ASTRO TURF CORPORATION COMPANY FOR THE MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL FIELD UPGRADES PROJECT, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
>> AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.
[00:50:01]
THE CONTRACT AWARD TO COAST TO COAST TURF AND ASTRO TURF CORPORATION COMPANY FOR THE MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL FIELD UPGRADES PROJECT IS APPROVED.>> OUR NEXT ITEM IS WE RETURN TO OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
[14. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES]
THIS EVENING AFTER TAKING A LITTLE BIT OF A SUMMER HIATUS ON LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.JUST A REMINDER TO OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS OUR BOARD.
WE DO HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION ON 1014, WHERE WE WILL BE CREATING A SCHEDULE AND PLANNING FOR COMMUNICATING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
AT THAT MEETING. WE'LL ALSO DRAFT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 25-26.
THOSE WILL BE WHAT WE VOTE ON AT A FUTURE MEETING THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH LEGISLATORS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A COMMON PLATFORM WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.
DOCTOR KATIMS, AND CHASE AND I, AS WELL AS EEA PRESIDENT ANDI NOFZIGER WILL ATTEND THE WASA REGION 109 LEGISLATIVE FORM AT THE EVERETT SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE ON OCTOBER 23, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE IF WE HAVE OUR PRIORITIES DONE BY THEN, OTHERWISE, WE COULD SHARE A DRAFT OF THOSE, WELL, WE WON'T HAVE THEM DONE BY THEN.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROBABLY SHARE A DRAFT OF THOSE WITH OUR LEGISLATORS AND ALSO SHARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR REGION, AND WE'LL BE DOING BY OTHER DIRECTORS FROM AROUND THE REGION.
THEN DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ATTENDED YESTERDAY?
>> DOCTOR MINER AND I WENT TO A MEETING FORUM THAT WAS HOSTED BY CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN DELBENE FOR DISTRICT ONE, WHICH IS A SMALL PART OF OUR DISTRICT.
THERE WERE OTHER SUPERINTENDENTS, OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER STAFF PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE.
IT WAS VERY INTERESTING FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, OF COURSE.
SHE'S A FEDERAL CONGRESSWOMAN.
BUT IT WAS INTERESTING, SHE WANTED TO HEAR IMPACTS TO OUR STUDENTS, TO OUR STAFF, TO OUR FAMILIES FOR CHANGES THAT ARE OCCURRING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT ARE AFFECTING K-12 EDUCATION.
WE TALKED ABOUT FUNDING ISSUES, A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS DOCTOR MINER BROUGHT UP.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR BECAUSE THIS IS VERY STRONG AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
THEIR DISCUSSION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL OF PERHAPS NOT CONTINUING THE FOOD PROGRAM FOR OUR KIDS WHO ARE FREE AND REDUCED MEAL PLANS, AND THE DEVASTATION THAT WOULD HAVE.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE BE ABLE TO FEED OUR KIDS.
CONGRESSWOMAN DELBENE TOTALLY GETS IT AND IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THIS.
DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE DISCUSSION?
>> NO. I THINK YOU COVERED IT.
>> IT WAS HELPFUL TO MEET WITH PEOPLE FROM A NUMBER OF OTHER DISTRICTS WHO HAVE SIMILAR CONCERNS AND SIMILAR ISSUES, AND TO JUST HEAR THE PERSPECTIVE FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
ONE THING THAT WAS A LITTLE DISTURBING FROM THE FINANCIAL END IS SHE SAID, EVEN IF THE MONEY IS PUT INTO THE FEDERAL BUDGET FOR EDUCATION, AND OF COURSE, THAT'S NOW ALL UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
BUT EVEN IF IT'S PUT THERE, IF THERE'S NO STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DISPERSE IT TO THE STATES, IT WOULD JUST SIT THERE, EVEN IF IT WERE AUTHORIZED.
I FOUND THAT TO BE A VERY SCARY THING TO HEAR.
I THOUGHT WE COULD FLY TO WASHINGTON, DC, SEND OSBI AND GIVE US OUR MONEY.
BUT IT WAS AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT OF ED HAS BEEN DEVASTATED IN TERMS OF THEIR STAFF.
THEY'RE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE IN THE PAST, DISPERSED THE MONEY.
MUCH OF OUR STATE MONEY DOES COME FROM THE FEDS THROUGH THE STATE TO US, LIKE FOR OUR TITLE PROGRAMS, ET CETERA.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE STATE LEVEL IS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST NEED TO KEEP MONITORING, AND IT'S GOOD THAT OUR FEDERAL FOLKS AND OUR STATE FOLKS ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE WILL BE CONTINUING THE STRONG ADVOCACY THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING ON BEHALF OF PROTECTING OUR KIDS AND OUR STAFF AND OUR FAMILIES AS BEST WE CAN AND CONTINUING TO GET AS MANY RESOURCES AS WE CAN.
[00:55:11]
NOW WE COME TO BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.[15. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]
THIS IS THE TIME WHEN BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THE BOARD DIRECTORS CAN GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF INPUT.I'M GOING TO START WITH SCARLETT BECAUSE SHE'S AN ALUMNI.
IT WON'T SEEM AS INTIMIDATING TO HER.
WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE A SECOND YEAR.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS SCARLETT.
I'M A FULL IB SENIOR REPRESENTING EDMONDS WOODWAY.
THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR ON THE BOARD, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE BACK.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING WITH THE NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
THE BIGGEST EVENT AT MY SCHOOL THAT'S COMING UP IS THE STADIUM JAM, WHICH IS THE FOOTBALL GAME WITH MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THAT IS THIS FRIDAY.
IT'S THE RIVALRY FOOTBALL GAME.
THEN THE PHONE POLICY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
I'VE ALREADY SEEN SO MUCH MORE ENGAGEMENT IN CLASSROOMS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MATERIAL, BUT ALSO ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER STUDENTS.
I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE BETTER BECAUSE NO ONE'S ABLE TO USE THEIR PHONES ANYMORE, SO IT ALMOST FORCES US TO TALK WITH EACH OTHER, BUT I THINK IT'S BENEFICIAL IN THE LONG RUN.
INITIALLY, I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER STUDENTS AT WOODWAY, WE WERE QUESTIONING THIS POLICY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY MIRRORS IN ANY OF THE BATHROOMS AT OUR SCHOOL.
THE ARGUMENT FOR THAT WAS, YOU CAN USE YOUR PHONES TO CHECK YOUR TEETH OR YOUR HAIR.
BUT NOW WE DON'T HAVE OUR PHONES ANYMORE, SO I'M ON THE PRINCIPALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP, SO WE ARE WORKING TO HOPEFULLY CREATE A PLAN AND MAYBE BRING BACK THE MIRRORS SO THAT STUDENTS HAVE AN OPTION TO MAYBE CLEAR THEIR TEETH AFTER LUNCH IF THEY NEED TO.
I WANT TO TOUCH ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING MUSIC.
AS A STUDENT WHO CONSIDERED HERSELF A STUDENT MUSICIAN, I'M NOT A STUDENT ATHLETE, BUT I CONSIDER MYSELF A STUDENT MUSICIAN.
I'M VERY INVOLVED WITH MUSIC, AND I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR MUSIC FUNDING IN LEGISLATURE.
I LOVE MUSIC, AND IT WAS SAID THAT MUSIC ISN'T A NECESSARY LIFE SKILL, WHICH, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT, I BELIEVE THAT IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER LIFESTYLE.
WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT OF MUSIC IN THIS DISTRICT, I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I AM TODAY.
I'M CURRENTLY THE FIRST CHAIR CHALICE AT THE EDMONDS WOODWAY PHILHARMONIC, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE THE CONNECTIONS I MADE, LEARN THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED.
I WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE JOINED THE MUSIC PROGRAM IF IT WASN'T REQUIRED IN THE DISTRICT.
REGARDING MUSIC BUDGETING, I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO COMBAT THE FINANCIAL ISSUES.
I PERSONALLY, I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A PROGRAM CALLED LESSONS FOR ALL IN THE DISTRICT, AND IT'S RUN BY MANY OTHER STUDENTS FROM EDMONDS WOODWAY.
WE PROVIDE FREE MUSIC TUTORING FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
ITS GOAL IS TO COMBAT THE FINANCIAL DISPARITY REGARDING CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH TUTORS.
I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS.
OF COURSE, WE CAN'T TUTOR EVERY INSTRUMENT, IT DOES DEPEND ON WHICH HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE AVAILABLE.
BUT IN THE PAST YEAR, WE'VE CONNECTED NINE STUDENTS IN NEED FROM FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.
WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS THIS YEAR REGARDING THAT.
HIGH SCHOOLERS DO UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLE THAT THE PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN MUSIC HAVE TO FACE.
IT IS A LOT OF DEDICATION AND WORK, SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE PARENTS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE IN MUSIC.
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH THEM, TAKING THEM TO CONCERTS, AND IT REALLY MEANS A LOT IN OUR LIVES.
EVEN THOUGH MUSIC ISN'T A CORE SUBJECT, I BELIEVE THAT IT CAN BE A CORE TO STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEING, BECAUSE MUSIC CREATES CONNECTIONS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND IT IS A GREAT ESCAPE FROM SCHOOL.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO APPLAUD THE DISTRICT FOR PUTTING SOME EMPHASIS ON MUSIC.
MY FINAL POINT IS THAT SUCCESS IN MUSIC LOOKS LIKE EFFORT AND DEDICATION, BUT THE SUCCESS CANNOT COME WITHOUT HARD WORK, WHICH IS EFFORT AND DEDICATION, SO THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR SERVING AS WELL, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE SERVING AGAIN WITH SCARLETT, AND ALSO WITH ALL OF THE NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
OVERALL, HAVING THIS PLATFORM TO REPRESENT MY SCHOOL IS AMAZING AND ALSO SOMETHING THAT I DON'T TAKE LIGHTLY, AND I TRY MY BEST TO REPRESENT THE STUDENTS OF MY SCHOOL.
I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR, SO FAR, I'VE ATTENDED ROBOTICS KICKOFF, WHICH WAS AT THE MEYDENBAUER CENTER THEATER IN BELLEVUE WITH THE TEAM THAT I'M ON FOR ROBOTICS AT EDMONDS HEIGHTS.
WE ARE GETTING GEARED UP FOR THIS NEW SEASON.
[01:00:01]
WHICH IS LIKE A SCRIMMAGE FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ROBOTICS.OUR SCHOOL IS HOSTING LM 1 AND LM 2 AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THAT THEY USE NEW NAMES NOW, BUT THEY'RE THE EQUIVALENT OF LEAD ME ONE AND LEAD ME TWO.
ADDITIONALLY, WE HAD THE WELCOME BACK ASSEMBLY, WHICH MY ROBOTICS TEAM ALSO GOT TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF OUTREACH AT TO THE YOUNGER STUDENTS AT MY SCHOOL BECAUSE MY SCHOOL IS A K-12, WHICH WAS A REALLY WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY, AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENTARY ON THE PHONE POLICY.
I THINK THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE STUDENTS BE AS ENGAGED AS POSSIBLE, AND THE PHONES CAN DEFINITELY BE A DISTRACTION.
FOR ME, ESPECIALLY THOUGH, HAVING MY PHONE AT SCHOOL, MY ENTIRE LIFE HAS DEFINITELY SET ME UP A RUNNING START TO USE SKILLS OF SELF REGULATION.
MY PHONE IS ALWAYS NEXT TO ME AND I GET TO CHOOSE TO BE PROACTIVE AND WHETHER OR NOT I WANT TO USE MY PHONE OR NOT.
I THINK THAT IN THE FUTURES FOR ALL OF US, AT ALL OF OUR FUTURE JOBS, AND IN ALL OF THE SITUATIONS THAT WE MIGHT END UP IN, OUR PHONES ARE GOING TO BE THERE NEXT TO US, AND IT'S UP TO US TO CHOOSE WHETHER WE WANT TO LISTEN OR NOT.
I CAN BE DISTRACTED WITH OR WITHOUT MY PHONE.
THAT IS MY PERSONAL OPINION ON THAT TOPIC, IS THAT DISTRACTION IS A CHOICE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A DEVICE IS INVOLVED OR NOT.
OUR PHONES ULTIMATELY ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR GENERATIONS.
IT'S A HUGE STEP IN TECHNOLOGY, AND I AM A STRONG SUPPORTER IN TECHNOLOGY.
THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON THAT. OVERALL, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE BACK THIS YEAR, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THE BOARD HAS PRESENTED LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WELCOME BACK.
BOTANA, I'M GOING TO LET YOU GO NEXT.
YOU CAN TAKE IT OFF THE STAND.
THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR AS A STUDENT BOARD ADVISOR.
I'M FROM MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL, AND I'M CURRENTLY A SENIOR, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE ON THE BOARD BECAUSE I REALLY DO THINK THAT STUDENT VOICES ARE IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS THAT REALLY DO AFFECT OUR STUDENTS.
SOME UPCOMING EVENTS THAT WE'RE HAVING AT MEADOWDALE, JUST INCLUDES HOMECOMING DANCE AND THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE HCO PREP GOING ON AT OUR SCHOOL WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE POSTERS, AND WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE UP SOME SKITS FOR THE DIFFERENT CLASSES THAT WE HAVE.
THEN THESE SKITS DO GET PERFORMED AT OUR ASSEMBLIES.
ADDING ON TO THAT, WE ALSO DO HAVE CLUB FARE, SO OUR CLUBS ARE STARTING TO COME TOGETHER AND STARTING TO ORGANIZE OUR AGENDAS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
REGARDING THE CELL PHONE POLICY, I DO THINK THAT REGULATION FOR PHONES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
BUT LIKE TATIANA SAID, OUR PHONES ARE GOING TO BE WITH US THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE LIVES AND I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS THAT WE MAKE.
WE SHOULD BE TEACHING STUDENTS ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT WE ALSO DO NEED TO IMPLEMENT REGULATION SO THAT THEY'RE GETTING THE BEST OUT OF THEIR EDUCATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
WELCOME. SAM, YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
>> I'M SAM, IT'S MY FIRST YEAR SERVING HERE AS WELL.
I'M A SENIOR IN MOUNTLAKE TERRACE.
AS FOR THE UPDATES IN MY SCHOOL, THE NEW NO CELL PHONE POLICY HAS BEEN GOING REALLY WELL AS WELL.
I APPRECIATE HOW IT'S BEEN HANDLED, I'VE NOTICED THAT IT'S A BIT OF A PROCESS TO GET YOUR PHONE BACK IF IT'S TAKEN, AND I THINK THAT REALLY ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO FOLLOW THE RULES BECAUSE OF IT.
I TALKED WITH OUR PRINCIPAL AS WELL, AND HE MENTIONED THAT IT'S BEEN RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
CLUBS ARE STARTING BACK UP FOR THE YEAR, WE HAD A STEM FOCUS CLUB FAIR JUST LAST WEEK WITH GROUPS SUCH AS ROCKETRY, GIRLS CODE, AND ROBOTICS.
TOMORROW IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST GIRLS CODE MEETING, WHICH I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.
FOR OUR THEATER, THINGS ARE MOVING FORWARD AS WELL.
OUR FALL PLAY WILL BE LEADING LADIES, AND WE'VE ALSO CHOSEN OUR WINTER PLAY AMID SUMMER NIGHT STREAM.
AUDITIONS FOR THAT WILL BE OPEN ON OCTOBER 1ST. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME, AND WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
IF ISMAEL, YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
I AM A JUNIOR AT LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR AS A STUDENT ADVISOR.
LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL THINGS ARE GOING, IT'S A VERY GREAT START UP.
CLUBS ARE STARTING TO GO IN FULL.
BLOOM, I'M VERY EXCITED SINCE I DO RUN A NUMBER OF THOSE AND I GET TO SEE HOW EVERYTHING MOVES ALONG,
[01:05:02]
I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE IN THIS POSITION BECAUSE I WANT TO LEARN MORE AND SEE HOW EVERYTHING RUNS IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE.I DO WANT TO TOUCH UP ON BOTH THE PHONE POLICY AND THE COMMENT THAT WAS MADE ABOUT THE MUSIC PROGRAM.
STARTING WITH THE PHONE POLICY, I DO AGREE THAT THE PHONE POLICY HAS MADE PEOPLE FOCUS MORE, BUT BECAUSE FOCUS IS A CHOICE, I'VE NOTICED THAT SOME PEOPLE THAT WHO NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THEIR PHONES AT TIMES WHERE THEY WOULD BE DISTRACTED, HAVE BEGAN TO ALMOST ROUGH HOUSE INSTEAD.
NOW, I REALIZE THAT THIS ISN'T REALLY SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FULLY ENFORCED, AND THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT CAN BE STOPPED BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OUTLIERS.
HOWEVER, I DO THINK THAT MAYBE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE PHONE POLICY BECAUSE I DO AGREE IT IS VERY HELPFUL WOULD MAYBE IMPROVE FOCUS THAT ISN'T JUST DISTRACTING ONE PERSON INSTEAD OF DISTRACTING THE WHOLE CLASS.
AS FOR THE COMMENTS MADE ABOUT THE MUSIC PROGRAM, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I DO AGREE THAT MUSIC CAN BE VERY HELPFUL AND IT CAN SHARPEN A LOT OF YOUNG MINDS, BUT I DO NOT AGREE THAT IT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT AS SOMETIMES IT CAN GET IN THE WAY, AND THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES DOWN THE LINE FOR STUDENTS TO JOIN THE MUSIC PROGRAM THAT THE DISTRICT OFFERS.
IF STUDENTS DO CHOOSE TO PURSUE MUSIC AND MAYBE REAP SOME OF THE BENEFITS, THEY ARE FREE TO DO SO.
BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT SHOULD BE A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME, WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SOME CLARIFICATIONS ABOUT THE SIXTH GRADE MUSIC PROGRAM.
GENERAL MUSIC HAS BEEN A REQUIREMENT FOR THE LONGEST TIME AT SIX GRADE, SO MUSIC AS A REQUIREMENT ISN'T NEW.
THEN IT HAD BEEN A CHOICE IF SIXTH GRADERS WANTED TO ALSO TAKE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.
WHAT WAS HAPPENING IS THAT A NUMBER OF STUDENTS WOULD THEN BE TAKING THAT, AND INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WAS LOST IN THE CLASSROOMS. WHEN THOSE STUDENTS WERE GONE BECAUSE A TEACHER COULDN'T TEACH WITH A PARTIAL GROUP.
THERE WAS EXTRA INSTRUCTIONAL TIME BEING GONE, THAT WAS ONE THING.
WE DID HEAR FROM HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PARENTS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT MUSIC IS.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
IT'S NOT AS IF WE MADE A DECISION OUTSIDE OF A GREAT DEAL OF INPUT, AND IT ACTUALLY ALSO SAVED THE DISTRICT MONEY.
IT WAS A FUNDING PIECE, ALTHOUGH THAT WASN'T THE ONLY PIECE.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS HOW MUCH INPUT HAS GONE INTO THIS SO THAT JUST REPRESENTING THE BOARD HERE, THAT THAT GETS OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT, DIRECTOR GARRARD, YOU WANT TO GO WITH YOUR COMMENTS?
>> SURE. I WANT TO THANK THE STUDENT ADVISORS FOR BEING PART OF THIS GROUP AND KEEPING IT REAL.
IT'S BEEN AT A LITTLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE UNTIL YOU GUYS ARE HERE.
WELL, I'VE BEEN TO A FEW ATHLETIC EVENTS, I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN ALL FOUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS PLAY.
SOME OF IT IS, WOW, BECAUSE THEY KEEP GOING TO RUNNING CLOCKS BECAUSE THE SCORES ARE SO ONE SIDED, IT'S AMAZING.
ALSO GOT TO SEE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE AND MEADOWDALE AS A REFEREE IN GIRLS SOCCER, WHICH WAS FUN BECAUSE I HAD A NEIGHBORS ON ONE SIDE AND FORMER STUDENTS ON THE OTHER.
THAT WAS ENJOYABLE, AND I GET TO SEE EDMONDS WOODWAY THIS WEEK.
I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT IN TERMS OF OUR EFFORTS TO BE INCLUSIVE THAT I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE TONIGHT IS THE SECOND NIGHT OF ROSSHONA, THE JEWISH NEW YEAR, THAT LET'S SEE, ON THE 15TH, A WEEK AGO, STARTED HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A CELEBRATION AT LINWOOD ELEMENTARY ON THE FOURTH AFTER THE FUN RUN.
ON TUESDAY, I WAS JUST DOWN AT THE EDMONDS CULTURAL, WHAT'S ECA STAND FOR?
[01:10:02]
I CAN'T REMEMBER. EDSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS. THANK YOU.THEY HAD AN EVENT DOWN THERE WHERE THERE WERE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN ORANGE SHIRT AND TO DECORATE IT.
I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO STAY TO DECORATE IT, BUT DID GET DOWN THERE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT NEXT TUESDAY, I THINK I'LL STOP THERE. THANK YOU.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. DOCTOR CRAMER.
>> I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO REPEAT ANYTHING THAT ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER SAID, BUT I FEEL SO STRONGLY, AND I'M SO EXCITED THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BACK.
I DO APPRECIATE, SO APPRECIATE, AND I THINK OUR AUDIENCE DOES, TOO, HEARING DIFFERENT VOICES AND DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE SAME THING AND DONE IN SUCH A CIVIL WAY.
WHAT A GREAT MODEL YOU GUYS ARE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD. DON'T YOU THINK? I ALSO JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL THE TEACHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE WORKING THEIR TAILS OFF DOING THE GOOD WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF SEIU FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT AND LETTING THEIR VOICE BE HEARD.
APPRECIATE THAT. THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> FIRST THING, I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR TO EVERYBODY.
THIS IS THE START, THE KICKOFF OF OUR YEAR, AND IT'S ALWAYS AN EXCITING TIME.
I ALWAYS HAVE, A LITTLE BIT OF NOSTALGIA FOR THE TIME THAT I SPENT IN SCHOOL, AND I WAS REALLY GRATEFUL THAT VINCE DAMERO WAS ABLE TO SEND US ALL A COPY OF THE HAWKEYE.
IT REALLY BROUGHT BACK SOME MEMORIES FROM MY TIME THERE AT TERRACE.
IT'S JUST AN EXCITING TIME OF YEAR FOR EVERYBODY.
TWO QUICK THINGS THAT CAME UP THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST ONE WAS FOR MR. KEELER, AND THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
YOUR NUMBERS HERE, I AGREE WITH YOU ANYBODY WHO HASN'T GOTTEN THE FULL MATH EXPERIENCE IN OUR DISTRICT THAT IS A CONCERN, AND WE ARE WORKING ON IMPROVING OUR GRADUATION RATES AND OUR MATH SCORES AND EVERYTHING ELSE THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE ARE WELL AWARE OF.
BUT I WILL SAY MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE TESTS FOR THE MATH TO GET INTO THE COLLEGE WHERE THEY PLACE YOU.
I TOOK THE TEST RIGHT AFTER I GRADUATED HERE AND TESTED IN MATH, LIKE 43 OR SOMETHING SUPER LOW, AND I WAS LIKE, THERE'S NO WAY THAT'S RIGHT.
I STRAIGHT AS AND MATH FOR FOUR YEARS.
I WENT TO BARNES AND NOBLE, BOUGHT LIKE A 40 PAGE BOOK THAT IS PRE CALCULUS MATHEMATICS AND NUTSHELL, I STILL HAVE IT.
I READ IT OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEKEND, RE TOOK THE TEST, TESTED IN MATH 102.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I PERSONALLY TRUST THESE TESTS, AND THAT'S JUST MY OPINION ON IT.
BUT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH OUR MATH SCORES BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO ARE LAGGING BEHIND.
IT'S NOT LOST ON YOU, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I LIKE THIS PARTICULAR DATA PIECE.
THEN THE OTHER THING THAT I WILL SAY IS A LITTLE BIT OF MY BACKGROUND.
I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON ANY OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE ONGOING BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS MY BACKGROUND, I AM FROM A BLUE COLLAR FAMILY.
I SPENT ALMOST 20 YEARS OF MY LIFE WORKING IN RETAIL, VERY MUCH, JUST DAY IN DAY OUT, NIGHT CREW FOR A LOT OF THAT.
WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS WERE SPEAKING HERE THIS EVENING ABOUT NOT FEELING APPRECIATED OR SOMETHING.
I FEEL SYMPATHY FOR THAT, AS A NIGHT CREW EMPLOYEE FOR YEARS, BLUE COLLAR GUY, I'M IN THE BACKGROUND.
I'M DOING THIS STUFF, AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME, PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO THE STORE AND GET THEIR FOOD AND ALL OF THAT.
I HAVE THE UTMOST SYMPATHY FOR WHERE YOU ALL ARE COMING FROM.
FOR YEARS OUR CONTRACTS GOT CHIPPED AWAY, AND IT WAS HURTFUL FOR US SO I UNDERSTAND.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HURT ON THAT.
THIS IS FOR EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT, I BRING THAT BACKGROUND WITH ME WHEN I SIT UP HERE.
I TRY AND THINK ABOUT THE FAMILIES WHO DO SHIFT WORK, WHO CAN'T SHOW UP TO THESE MEETINGS.
WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE TO SAY TO US? WHAT WOULD SOMEBODY WHO COMES FROM A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND, WHO MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE THE ADVANTAGES? WHAT WOULD THEY SAY TO US? THIS IS REALLY JUST FOR EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT.I BRING THAT BACKGROUND WITH ME, AND I TRY AND THINK ABOUT THAT, EVERY DECISION THAT I MAKE.
I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OUT THERE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO ADD.
I'M THRILLED, AS I'VE SAID, TO HAVE THE STUDENT ADVISORS HERE, AND SOMETHING ELSE THAT DOCTOR MINER DOES WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS GIVEN OUR SCHEDULES IS DO SCHOOL VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
I'M VERY EXCITED BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE OUR SCHEDULE OF SCHOOL VISITS, AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BECAUSE I HAVE REALLY BEEN MISSING THAT.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT A SCHOOL VISIT FROM DOCTOR MINER, AND WITH OR WITHOUT A SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR IS IT'S NOT A FIVE MINUTE WALK INTO A CLASSROOM, BUT SHE SPENDS HOURS AT EACH SCHOOL.
[01:15:02]
WE REALLY GET TO SEE CLASSROOMS, WHEN WE WALK INTO A CLASSROOM, IF THERE'S A LESSON GOING ON, WE'LL WANT TO STAY AND SEE THE FULL LESSON OR GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN TALK TO KIDS OR WHATEVER.IT'S NOT JUST A WALK AND WALK OUT, AND I FIND THAT EXTREMELY ADMIRABLE BECAUSE I KNOW IN A LOT OF OTHER PLACES, SUPERINTENDENTS OR BOARD MEMBERS DO SCHOOL VISITS, AND IT'S LIKE A FIVE MINUTE THING IN EACH THING, AND IT'S NOT IT.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ONES FOR THIS YEAR. DOCTOR MINER.
>> WELL, THAT'S A PERFECT SEGUE TO ME.
TODAY WAS MY FIRST SCHOOL VISIT OF THE YEAR.
NEXT YEAR, I THINK I NEED TO GO ABOUT A WEEK EARLIER BECAUSE THE SCHOOL VISITS REALLY FILL MY BUCKET AND MAKE ME CHEERFUL, AND I HAVE SO MUCH FUN.
I MAYBE WENT A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH TIME THIS YEAR WITHOUT GETTING OUT INTO CLASSROOMS AND HAVING THE CHANCE TO TALK TO STUDENTS.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
TODAY I VISITED, AND NOW I'M DRAWING A COMPLETE BLANK SEA VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND I STOPPED BY SOME CLASSROOMS, SAW THEIR NEW MURAL, AND IT WAS JUST A GREAT MORNING.
I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT I GOT TO DO THAT, I WILL SEND THE BOARD A REMINDER, BUT PLEASE DO WEAR YOUR ORANGE SHIRTS.
WE ONLY HAVE A STUDY SESSION NEXT TIME, BUT YOU'RE INVITED, OF COURSE, TO WEAR YOUR ORANGE SHIRTS ON AT OUR MEETING ON TUESDAY.
THEN FOR ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING AT HOME OR THOSE OF YOU HERE TONIGHT, ON SATURDAY THE FOURTH, WE DO HAVE A LARGE FUND RAISER FOR OUR FOUNDATION, THE 5K, AND THAT'S A GREAT TIME.
COSTUMES ARE OPTIONAL, BUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN OR WALK TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY SUPPORT.
STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THAT, I HOPE YOU'LL THINK ABOUT JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU. I WAS NOT CREATIVE, SO I WENT TO AMAZON TO BUY MY ORANGE SHIRT.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY.
TONIGHT'S REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.