Jan 13, 2026 Board Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER-6:30 pm]

[00:00:04]

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME THIS REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER, AND I'LL TAKE A ROLL CALL. AND WE CHANGED ORDERS HERE A LITTLE BIT.

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

DIRECTOR GERRARD. PRESENT. DIRECTOR CHASE. HERE.

AND I'M DIRECTOR KATIMS. SO WE ARE ALL HERE TONIGHT.

AND I'LL ASK DOCTOR MINER TO DO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR US.

[3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-6:32 pm]

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]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

NEXT IS APPROVAL OF OUR AGENDA. DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE OUR AGENDA?

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

AND A SECOND. AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION OR TO MOVE THAT WE, FOR TONIGHT'S AGENDA, REMOVE ITEM 13.4 FOR FURTHER RESEARCH. DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE AMENDMENT? SO MOVED AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? I HAVE A DISCUSSION POINT ON THE FIRST PROPOSAL, WHICH WAS JUST TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES.

THERE'S A.

THEN WE'LL GO BACK. NO DISCUSSION. OKAY. AND AS I SAID, I'M MAKING THE MOTION BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER RESEARCH ON IT.

IT'S NOT A POLICY THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE, AND IT'S A NEW POLICY.

SO WE DO HAVE SOME TIME TO BE CAREFUL IN HOW WE DO THE PHRASING.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE REMOVAL OF ITEM 13.4 FOR TONIGHT? OKAY. HEARING NONE, I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE REMOVAL OF ITEM 13.4 FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? SO WE WILL REMOVE ITEM 13.4 FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA.

NOW, WE ORIGINALLY ALREADY HEARD A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE AGENDA.

NOW. NOW WE WILL BE. FURTHER DISCUSSION FURTHER DISCUSSION. IS THERE A DISCUSSION ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA IN ITS AMENDED VERSION, WHICH IS REMOVING 13.4? WHICH IS. GO AHEAD. YES. I WOULD OBJECT TO ACCEPTING THESE AMENDMENTS BECAUSE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND PAGE, IT SAYS THAT KEITH SMITH AND THOM GERRARD EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 25TH.

I'D LIKE TO REFLECT THAT THEY HAVE NEW TERMS THAT WILL EXPIRE UNTIL 2029.

WHERE ARE OH, THAT. THAT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED? UPDATED. YEP.

OTHER. OTHER THAN THAT, I FULLY BEHIND ADOPTING THIS.

WE WILL UPDATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR NOTING THAT.

AND WHEN YOU SAID THEY EXPIRE I GOT ALL NERVOUS.

BUT IT'S THEIR TERM EXPIRES. PLEASE DON'T EXPIRE [LAUGHTER].

OKAY. SO ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING TONIGHT'S AGENDA, AS AMENDED, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.

ANY ABSTENTIONS. SO TONIGHT'S AGENDA IS APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR MINER FOR OUR CELEBRATION OF OUR MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL.

[6. CELEBRATION- 6:35 pm]

[00:05:01]

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD FIRST FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THIS SPECIAL TEAM.

CAN I GET THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHING STAFF TO COME ON UP? WE'LL JUST HAVE YOU LINE UP ACROSS HERE. AND THE TEAM.

TEAM. [LAUGHTER] COME ON UP AND WE'LL START AT THE VERY END AND WORK OUR WAY DOWN. THEY ARE SO CUTE.

SO BEFORE I START TALKING ABOUT THIS TEAM, IN ADDITION TO THANKING THE SCHOOL BOARD, I ALSO WANTED TO THANK ANY OF OUR TEACHERS AND COACHES IN THE ROOM WHO HAVE INVESTED IN THESE STUDENT ATHLETES. DO WE HAVE ANY TEACHERS COACHES OUT HERE? I KNOW WE HAVE OUR COACHING STAFF UP HERE AS WELL.

AND THEN ALSO TO THE FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, RAISE YOUR HAND.

ANY MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HAWKS SUPPORTERS [APPLAUSE].

THESE YOUNG MEN STARTED PRACTICING ON AUGUST 20TH.

PRIOR TO THAT, THEY WERE IN THE WEIGHT ROOM A TON.

AND I'M SURE THAT SOME OF YOU EVEN HAD TO DRIVE THEM OVER TO LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WENT THE WHOLE SUMMER WITHOUT ACCESS TO THEIR OWN WEIGHT ROOM.

BUT IT IS A LOT OF WORK TO NOT ONLY GO THROUGH AN ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON, BUT TO PREPARE FOR ONE.

AND SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT. LET'S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AGAIN TO OUR FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS [APPLAUSE].

AND BEFORE I TALK ABOUT THE TEAM, I'M JUST GOING TO START ON THAT END AND I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU GUYS INTRODUCE YOURSELVES, SAY FIRST AND LAST NAME AND THEN YOUR POSITION.

WE CAN PASS THE MIC. HI, MY NAME IS D'ANDRE DAIGRE.

I PLAYED O-LINE AND D-LINE. I'M A SENIOR. HI MY NAME IS CODY EKANAYAKE.

I'M A RUNNING BACK AND LINEBACKER AND I'M A SENIOR.

MY NAME IS BAKR KHAN. I WAS O-LINE AND D-LINE.

I'M A SENIOR. MY NAME IS AARON HATFIELD. I'M A RECEIVER AND DB AND I'M A SENIOR.

MY NAME IS JASIAH HATFIELD. I'M A WIDE RECEIVER.

I'M A FRESHMAN. MY NAME IS MASON WILSON. I'M QUARTERBACK AND I'M A JUNIOR.

MY NAME IS ZACHARY MACDONALD. I'M A JUNIOR AND I PLAY O-LINE AND OB.

HI GUYS. MY NAME IS MARCOS SANCHEZ-BARRERA. I'M A LINEMAN / WATERBOY [LAUGHTER].

AND I'M A SENIOR. HI. MY NAME IS TOMMY GEYER, AND I AM THE RUNNING BACK AND A DB.

HELLO, MY NAME IS PHOENIX WOOD AND I PLAYED ON THE O-LINE AND DILLON.

I'M A JUNIOR. MY NAME IS COLIN BELLECOURT AND I PLAY O-LINE AND D-LINE AND I AM A JUNIOR.

MY NAME IS LIAM MOORE. I PLAYED O-LINE, D-LINE AND I'M A SENIOR.

MY NAME IS ALEX ROBINSON AND I PLAY QUARTERBACK AND I'M A JUNIOR.

MY NAME IS SILAS FETTERS. I PLAY WIDE RECEIVER AND DB AND I'M A JUNIOR.

MY NAME IS TAYLIN GATES AND I PLAY RUNNING BACK AND LINEBACKER AND I'M A JUNIOR.

AND THEN OUR MEMBERS OF THE COACHING STAFF THANKS YOU GUYS.

ASSISTANT COACH BRANDON LUCKETT, ASSISTANT COACH DYLAN ALKE, ASSISTANT COACH MITCH HALDANE AND HEAD COACH ARCHIE MALLOY.

[APPLAUSE] SO, YEAH, IT'S A GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

WELL, I WILL SAY IT'S AN ABSOLUTE THRILL TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE ALL OF YOU AND THE COACHING STAFF.

THE MOUNTAIN LAKE FOOTBALL TEAM HAD A HISTORIC SEASON, IN CASE YOU HADN'T HEARD.

THEY FINISHED THE REGULAR SEASON UNDEFEATED WITH A PERFECT 8-0 RECORD.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY. [APPLAUSE] I ALREADY KNEW THAT.

AND EVEN JUST SAYING IT, IT GAVE ME CHILLS AGAIN.

[LAUGHTER] THEIR PATH TO THEIR UNDEFEATED SEASON AND THE WEST COAST SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP WAS AS FOLLOWS. CASCADE 45-0. LYNNWOOD 44-0. MEADOWDALE 43-6.

SHORECREST 29-0. MONROE 48-7. SHOREWOOD 35-14.

EVERETT 49-7 AND EDMONDS-WOODWAY 45-7. THAT WAS THEIR PATH TO THE WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP.

SO I'LL DO THE QUICK MATH BECAUSE I DID IT AHEAD OF TIME.

DURING THIS EIGHT GAME WIN STREAK, THEY OUTSCORED THEIR OPPONENTS 338 TO 41.

ANOTHER WAY TO BREAK THAT DOWN, JUST FOR FUN, IS THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS SCORED AN AVERAGE OF 42 POINTS PER GAME WHILE

[00:10:06]

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HAWKS DOMINATED ON THE OFFENSIVE SIDE AND DOMINATED ON THE DEFENSIVE END, WHICH IS CREDIT TO THIS ENTIRE TEAM. THOSE WHO ARE HERE AND THOSE WHO COULDN'T MAKE IT TONIGHT, AND ALSO TO THE COACHING STAFF WHO PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO THE SEASON.

AFTER THEIR FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON, A 45 TO 7 WIN OVER EDMONDS-WOODWAY SENIOR LIAM MOORE SUMMED UP THEIR DOMINANT STYLE OF PLAY TO THE EVERETT HERALD REPORTER BY SAYING WE PLAY, WE PLAY COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL, SO IF OUR DEFENSE IS GOING TO STOP THEM, WE'RE GOING TO GO SCORE. THAT'S WHAT WE DO AROUND HERE.

[LAUGHTER] IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THIS IS A VERY TALENTED TEAM COLLECTIVELY, BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE JUST A FEW MINUTES TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO RECEIVED ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION. SO IF I SAY YOUR NAME, JUST STEP FORWARD REALLY QUICK AND GIVE A WAVE.

HONORABLE MENTION CODY EKANAYAKE. EKANAYAKE. JACOB GOMEZ.

ELYJAH MEEGAN. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE].

RECEIVING SECOND TEAM ALL-WESCO HONORS. CIAN HARNEY, D'ANDRE DAIGRE, AND NATE BROWN.

[APPLAUSE]. AND THEN RECEIVING FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO HONORS.

SOPHOMORE JACKSON WALLIS, FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE LINE.

IS JACKSON HERE? SENIOR AARON HATFIELD. [APPLAUSE] AARON STAY OUT JUST A FEW MORE MINUTES. HE RECEIVED FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION ON DEFENSE AS A DEFENSIVE BACK.

AND ALSO FOR SPECIAL TEAMS. CONGRATULATIONS.

SENIOR LIAM MOORE. [APPLAUSE]. HOLD ON LIAM, COME BACK OUT.

REALLY [LAUGHTER] IMPRESSIVE. HE RECEIVED FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE.

AND FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE.

SO BASICALLY, YOU PLAYED LINE THE ENTIRE GAME.

WOW SOMEONE HERE HE? IS OWEN RECEIVED FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION ON DEFENSE AS AN INSIDE LINEBACKER AND ON OFFENSE AT RUNNING BACK.

AND THEN JUNIOR MASON WILSON. [APPLAUSE]. ELECTRIC AT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION. RECEIVED FIRST TEAM ALL-WESCO RECOGNITION AT QUARTERBACK AND WAS ALSO SELECTED WESCO SOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

WOW VERY IMPRESSIVE [APPLAUSE]. AND HE ALSO DURING THE SEASON RECEIVED RECOGNITION FROM THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AS THEIR COACH OF THE WEEK.

OKAY. WHICH WAS REALLY EXCITING. IT SHOULD JUST BE NOTED THAT WHEN COACH MALLOY TOOK OVER, AND THIS IS A CREDIT TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR HARD WORK WITH YOUR COACHING STAFF.

WHEN COACH MALLOY TOOK OVER IN 2021, THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE FOOTBALL TEAM HAD ONE WIN.

THE NEXT SEASON, HE TOOK HIM TO FIVE WINS. AND THEN THE FOLLOWING TWO SEASONS WERE 6 WIN SEASONS.

AND THEN IN 2025, AN UNDEFEATED 8 AND 0 SEASON.

WOW YOUR TEAMMATES AND FOLLOW THROUGH AND BE A PART OF THAT CULTURE.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE FIELD. REFLECTING ON THEIR UNDEFEATED SEASON IN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

SOPHOMORE JACKSON WALLIS CAPTURED THE TEAM'S FEELINGS.

THIS WAS ONCE AGAIN TO EVERETT HERALD REPORTER, AND HE SAID THIS HAS BEEN THE GOAL SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON.

THIS IS ALWAYS WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR. WE WORK HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY TO BE IN THIS MOMENT.

[00:15:01]

YOU DESERVE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT CAME YOUR WAY AS A PRODUCT OF THAT HARD WORK AND WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

YOU DESERVE THE RECOGNITION TONIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

AND YOU DESERVE RECOGNITION FOR WHAT YOU GAVE TO THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE COMMUNITY AND THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY.

I KNOW YOU WERE PLAYING WHILE YOU WERE BUSY PLAYING ON THE FIELD.

THERE WERE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY, YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS RUNNING AROUND IN JERSEYS IN THE STANDS CHEERING YOU ON.

THERE WERE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE ALUMNI WHO CAME BACK OVER AND OVER TO GAMES TO CHEER YOU ON.

IT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE TO BE IN THE STANDS AND WATCH THE AMOUNT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAT YOUR HARD WORK BROUGHT OUT.

SO VERY DESERVING OF THIS RECOGNITION TONIGHT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COACHING STAFF HERE WE LET'S.

LET'S HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME FOR THE WEST COAST SOUTH CHAMPS.

[APPLAUSE] MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HAWKS. [APPLAUSE].

IF WE IF WE COULD GET YOU ALL TO KIND OF. WE'D LIKE YOU ALONG THE WOOD HERE TO KIND OF CROWD IN SO WE CAN GET US ALL INTO ONE PICTURE COACHES TOO PLEASE IF EVERYBODY CAN KIND OF SLIDE IN AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO BE SEEN BEHIND YOU.

[LAUGHTER] I'M IN BETWEEN [LAUGHTER]. GREAT. LET'S HAVE ONE MORE BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[APPLAUSE]. OKAY, GUYS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING. BUT YOU ARE ALSO WELCOME TO [LAUGHTER] TO MOVE ON.

ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, WE'RE VERY THAT'S IT I CAN'T WAIT TILL THEY

[7. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-6:45 pm]

AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR LAST INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION.

BUT AS A REMINDER TO OUR COMMUNITY, WE DO HAVE A NARRATED OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THAT FACTUAL PRESENTATION UP ON THE WEBSITE.

SO IF YOU MISSED OUR PRESENTATIONS THAT WE DID AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, YOU CAN STILL GO ONLINE AND SEE THAT PRESENTATION ON THE WEBSITE.

THANK YOU. AND ROB DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF NARRATING THAT PRESENTATION ON THE WEBSITE, BY THE WAY.

DOCTOR BAUMGARTNER NEXT IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

[8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-6:50 pm]

ONE ARE THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING.

THAT WAS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THE SECOND ARE THE MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING.

DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE TWO SETS OF MEETINGS? MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE.

AND A SECOND. ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS? AND THE TWO MINUTES SETS OF MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING, THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE DECEMBER 9TH, 2025 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING ARE APPROVED.

NEXT WE WILL HAVE THE BOARD DIRECTOR OATH OF OFFICE FOR DOCTOR SMITH.

[9. BOARD DIRECTOR OATH OF OFFICE- 6:55 pm]

WE DO THIS. [LAUGHTER]. YES. SO I, KEITH SMITH, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR. THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

AND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY. AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY.

PERFORM AND DISCHARGE THE DUTIES. PERFORM AND DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.

OF THE EDMONDS. OF THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL DIRECTOR OF EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 15.

[00:20:03]

ACCORDING TO LAW, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. ACCORDING TO LAW, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

CONGRATULATIONS, DIRECTOR SMITH. [APPLAUSE]. CONGRATULATIONS, DIRECTOR SMITH. NEXT WE WILL HAVE OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[10. PUBLIC COMMENTS-7:00 pm]

SINCE THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD, THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS IS FOR THOSE INTERESTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ABOUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OR SPECIFIC WORK WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THIS ISN'T A TIME FOR THE AUDIENCE TO ADDRESS EACH OTHER.

IN ADDITION, AS DOCUMENTED BY BOARD POLICY, THE BOARD IS NOT OBLIGATED TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS OR CHALLENGES MADE DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND THE BOARD'S SILENCE WILL NOT BE SIGNALING EITHER AGREEMENT, DISAGREEMENT, OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE SPEAKER'S REMARKS. PEOPLE MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR BOARD MEETING, EITHER BY READING OR COMMENT ALOUD HERE IN PERSON, OR BY SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENT IN WRITING. WE HAD NO COMMENTS IN WRITING FOR TONIGHT.

WHEN WE DO, WE READ ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS WHICH ARE LATER ATTACHED TO THE MEETING AGENDA AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE BOARD DOCS WEBSITE.

IF YOU ARE PRESENTING YOUR COMMENT IN PERSON.

PLEASE BEGIN YOUR COMMENT BY STATING YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE DISTRICT, AND THE AGENDA ITEM OR SCHOOL DISTRICT TOPIC THAT YOU'RE ADDRESSING.

WE REQUESTED IF YOUR COMMENT CONSISTS WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF TEXT VERBATIM FROM AN ARTICLE, AN ONLINE POST, AN EXCERPT FROM A BOOK, ETC. THAT YOU SIMPLY SEND US THE LINK TO THAT TEXT AND SPEND YOUR TIME ON YOUR COMMENT TELLING US HOW THAT INFORMATION RELATES DIRECTLY TO OUR DISTRICT WORK. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES.

A TIMER WILL BE RUNNING THAT YOU CAN SEE, SO THAT YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR TIME.

AT THE THREE MINUTE MARK OF THE TIMER, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY MUTED.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR STATEMENT IN A CIVIL MANNER, WITHOUT DISPARAGING NAME CALLING OR OTHERWISE TARGETING ANY ONE PERSON OR GROUP IN THE DISTRICT. IF ANY PERSON MAKES AN UNCIVIL COMMENT, THE BOARD PRESIDENT OR BOARD MEMBER CONDUCTING THE MEETING WILL DIRECT THE MICROPHONE TO BE MUTED AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE ENDED REGARDLESS OF THE TIME LEFT ON THE TIMER.

OUR SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1400 DEFINES AN UNCIVIL COMMENT AS ONE THAT IS LIBELOUS OR SLANDEROUS UNDER A LEGAL STANDARD, IS AN UNWARRANTED INVASION OF PRIVACY, IS OBSCENE OR INDECENT PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS ACT OR ANY RULE OR REGULATION OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. VIOLATES SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY OR PROCEDURE RELATED TO HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, BULLYING OR DISCRIMINATION, INCITES AN UNLAWFUL ACT ON SCHOOL PREMISES OR VIOLATES A LAWFUL SCHOOL REGULATION, OR CREATES A MATERIAL AND SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTION OF THE ORDERLY OPERATION OF THE BOARD MEETING.

THE RULES REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENTS APPLY TO BOTH ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS.

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

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

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

COMMENTS WILL BE MADE FROM THE PODIUM THAT IS OVER ON THAT SIDE OF THE BOARDROOM.

AND TONIGHT THE FIRST BOARD COMMENT WILL BE MADE BY JOHN PALUMBO.

JOHN PALUMBO, DISTRICT EMPLOYEE, PARENT OF A STUDENT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A RESIDENT.

WORKPLACE EQUITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VISIBLE LEADERSHIP.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, DIRECTORS AND SUPERINTENDENT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO RAISE CONCERN THAT I BELIEVE DIRECTLY IMPACT EQUITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

FIRST, I WANT TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUED ALLOWANCE OF WORK FROM HOME FOR ALL MANAGERS AND ABOVE, AS WELL AS SOME CLASSIFIED STAFF. WHILE FLEXIBILITY CAN BE APPROPRIATE IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES, I BELIEVE THIS PRACTICE IS PROBLEMATIC IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT SETTING.

OUR DISTRICT IS BUILT AROUND PHYSICAL CAMPUSES, STUDENTS, AND HANDS ON OPERATIONS.

MANY EMPLOYEES, CUSTODIANS, MAINTENANCE TRADES, NUTRITION SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER CLASSIFIED STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO BE ON SITE EVERY DAY TO DO THEIR JOBS. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO WORK FROM HOME, ALLOWING REMOTE WORK FOR SOME WHILE OTHERS HAVE NO CHOICE,

[00:25:05]

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THERE IS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE PERMITTED TO WORK FROM HOME WITHOUT CONSISTENT OVERSIGHT, IT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER TIME IS BEING USED APPROPRIATELY.

I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THIS IS NOT AN ACCUSATION AGAINST ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL.

HOWEVER, THE STRUCTURE ITSELF ALLOWS FOR THE POSSIBLE OF TIME THEFT OR AT A MINIMUM, THE APPEARANCE OF IT.

THAT PERCEPTION ALONE IS DAMAGING TO A PUBLICLY FUNDED ORGANIZATION.

IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP VISIBILITY MATTERS.

BEING PRESENT ON SITE, ACCESSIBLE TO STAFF, AND ENGAGED IN DAILY OPERATION IS NOT OPTIONAL.

IT IS ESSENTIAL. THIS BRINGS ME TO MY SECOND CONCERN, WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.

THIS MAINTENANCE STAFF. THE MAINTENANCE STAFF BEGINS THEIR WORKDAY AT 6:00 A.M.

THESE EMPLOYEES RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES, KEEP BUILDINGS OPERATIONAL, AND SUPPORT STUDENT SAFETY.

HOWEVER, THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER ROUTINELY ARRIVES HOURS LATER, OFTEN NOT UNTIL 10:00 A.M.

WHEN A DEPARTMENT LEADER IS NOT PRESENT DURING THE MAJORITY OF THEIR WORKDAY.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE. THIS STAFF WITHOUT DIRECTION, SUPPORT, OR ADVOCACY.

IT SENDS A MESSAGE THAT LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT APPLY EQUALLY AT ALL LEVELS.

ADDITIONALLY, WHEN ISSUES ARISE WHETHER STAFFING CONCERNS, WORKLOAD CHALLENGES, OR UNFAIR CRITICISM.

EMPLOYEES DO NOT FEEL PROTECTED OR SUPPORTED BY THEIR MANAGER.

A MANAGER'S ROLE IS NOT JUST ADMINISTRATIVE. IT IS TO LEAD, TO BE VISIBLE, TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TO SET THE STANDARD.

WHEN THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT SUFFERS AND ULTIMATELY SO DOES THE DISTRICT.

I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT WORK FROM HOME PRACTICES, EXPECTATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP, PRESENCE AND AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACROSS ALL LEVELS.

EQUITY SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON JOB TITLE AND LEADERSHIP SHOULD NOT MODEL THE STANDARDS WE EXPECT EVERYONE ELSE TO FOLLOW.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LISTENING TO THESE CONCERNS.

THANK YOU. NEXT, JESS GRANT.

DEAR BOARD MEMBERS AND DOCTOR MINER. MY NAME IS JESS GRANT AND I'M A HOMEOWNER AND TAXPAYER FROM PERRINVILLE.

HERE TO TALK ON MY FAVORITE TOPIC, WHICH IS POLICY 3211.

I'M ALSO A DEVOTED FAN OF I NOTICED THAT THERE'S A SPORTS THEME TONIGHT, SO I WANTED TO GET IN.

I'M ON THE SPORTS THEME HERE. AMAZING THING WITH THE HAWKS THERE.

I'M A DEVOTED FAN OF THE MEADOWDALE MAVERICKS VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, AND I HAVE ATTENDED ABOUT TEN GAMES THIS SEASON.

MY ORIGINAL INTENT WAS TO SHOW THE GIRLS THAT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED THEIR RIGHT TO SINGLE SEX SPORTS, AND I DID THAT BY ALWAYS WEARING MY SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS T SHIRT.

BUT LO AND BEHOLD, I EVENTUALLY BECAME A HUGE FAN OF THE TEAM.

AND WHAT AND WHAT OTHER LEAGUE CAN YOU GET COURTSIDE SEATS FOR $5? THE LEVEL OF PLAY IS HIGH, AND THEY PLAY REALLY HARD.

I CAME FOR THE POLITICS, BUT I STAYED FOR THE GAME.

IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN. THIS MONTH THERE'S A LOT OF INTERESTING NEWS ON THE BOYS AND GIRLS SPORTS ISSUE.

THIS MORNING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD MORE THAN THREE HOURS OF ORAL ARGUMENTS IN TWO CASES REGARDING STATE BANS ON BOYS WHO WOULD PLAY ON GIRLS SPORTS TEAMS. I LISTENED TO MOST OF IT. AS CNN REPORTS, CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS SIGNALED HIS SKEPTICISM FOR THE TRANSGENDER EXCEPTION FOR SEX BASED LAWS. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE 2020 PRECEDENT THAT PROTECTS GAY AND TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES FROM DISCRIMINATION.

THE BOSTOCK CASE. DOESN'T APPLY TO THE SPORTS CASES, SIGNALING THAT HE IS PREPARED TO VOTE AGAINST TRANS ADVOCATES, AND JUSTICE BRETT KAVANAUGH SAID THAT THE COURT CANNOT LOOK PAST THE HARM THAT TRANSGENDER INCLUSIVE SPORTS POLICIES IMPOSE ON WOMEN AND GIRLS SPORTS TEAMS. I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THESE CASES WILL GO OUR WAY, JUST LIKE SKRMETTI DID THIS SUMMER.

ONE OF THE MORE SUBLIME MOMENTS CAME. I'M GOING TO SKIP THAT.

I'M DOWN TO ONE MINUTE ALREADY. THE OTHER GOOD NEWS IN THE GIRLS SPORTS FRONT IS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVE.

ON IL26-638 TITLED PROTECTING FAIRNESS IN GIRLS SPORTS, WE GATHERED 445,000 SIGNATURES.

100,000 MORE THAN WE NEEDED. THE INITIATIVE IS VERY POPULAR DESPITE DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL VOTER INTIMIDATION AGAINST SIGNATURE GATHERING.

THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO PASS IT TO THE VOTERS IN THE FALL.

I THINK THE MOST STARTLING THING WAS THE VOTER INTIMIDATION THAT OCCURRED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE TRYING TO STOP VOTERS FROM SIGNING IT.

[00:30:10]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS TOM GLENN.

HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS TOM GLENN. I LIVE IN EVERETT HERE IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE JOB YOU DO.

THOM GERRARD FOR BEING RECENTLY ELECTED. GOOD LUCK ON THE BOARD.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE JOB YOU DO. THE REASON WHY I'M HERE IS, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE KIDS IN THIS DISTRICT, I HAVE GRANDKIDS IN LAKE STEVENS, AND I'M SURROUNDED BY FAMILIES IN EVERETT WHO HAVE KIDS IN SCHOOL.

WE ALL LIVE IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY, AND I LOVE SNOHOMISH COUNTY.

SO I'M HERE TAKING MY CONCERNS TO MY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS BECAUSE THESE KIDS ARE GREAT KIDS AND DESERVE A GOOD EDUCATION.

THIS BRINGS ME BEFORE YOU TO TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT CONCERNS US ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OUR KIDS FACE TODAY.

AS YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY REAL AND GROWING PROBLEM, NOT JUST LOCALLY, BUT NATIONWIDE AS WELL.

HOW DID WE GET HERE? IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT BUT OUR HISTORY AND CULTURE OF RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM.

INDIVIDUALISM HAS LED TO A FRAGMENTED SOCIETY WHERE EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN OPINION ABOUT EVERYTHING, INCLUDING OUR VALUE SYSTEM. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMON HUMAN VALUES, A FRAGMENTED APPROACH TO LIFE'S CHALLENGES DOESN'T WORK WELL FOR ANYBODY. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WHEN PEOPLE LACK A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OR PRACTICE OF OUR CORE VALUES, MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES BEGIN TO APPEAR, AND IF LEFT UNTREATED, THIS CAN CAUSE LIFELONG INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETAL PROBLEMS. THAT BRINGS US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. SO A DIRECT AND WORTHWHILE WAY OF DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM IS TO REVIEW AND RECONNECT WITH OUR VALUE SYSTEM.

THANKFULLY, DOCTOR LAURIE SANTOS, A YALE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, HAS DONE THE HEAVY LIFTING AND ASSEMBLED A COMPREHENSIVE, IN-DEPTH PROGRAM ON THIS SUBJECT CALLED THE SCIENCE OF WELL-BEING.

FROM THE NAME ALONE, YOU CAN TELL IT IS A SCIENTIFIC, SECULAR, AND EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAM.

AND IT IS EASY TO USE. SHE HAS MADE FOUR VERSIONS USING THE SAME PRINCIPLES ONE FOR TEENS, ONE FOR ADULTS, ONE FOR PARENTS, AND ONE SPECIFICALLY FOR TEACHERS.

THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO COMPETE WITH OTHER WELLNESS PROGRAMS LIKE RULER, BUT TO COMPLEMENT THEM.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION RECENTLY SAID THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS THIS.

TEACHERS I'VE SPOKEN WITH IN THE EDMONDS DISTRICT HAVE EXPRESSED A NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES LIKE THIS, AND THERE IS A BONUS. IT WON'T COST YOU A THING AS ALL OUR AS ALL OUR PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND AVAILABLE ONLINE.

OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCES DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS MADE ME A TROUBLED TEENAGER.

HAD I HAD ACCESS TO THIS MATERIAL, MAYBE I WOULD HAVE HAD.

MAYBE I WOULD HAVE MADE BETTER DECISIONS AND HAD BETTER OUTCOMES.

YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY DESERVE THAT OPPORTUNITY SO THEY CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS AND HAVE THOSE BETTER OUTCOMES.

EVERY PERSON DESERVES THE CHANCE TO BE HAPPY AND TO HAVE REAL SELF RESPECT.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WANTS TO.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA. THIS IS OUR GROUP OF REGULAR ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AND VOTE ON TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA-7:30 pm]

FIVE ARE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH VARIOUS OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND FIVE ARE FIELD TRIPS.

DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED? MOVE TO APPROVE. I'LL SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE.

AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE VOTING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT ARE HEAVY ON THE FIELD TRIPS.

AND THIS ONE HAS ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR. FIVE OF THEM ON HERE.

SO I DO REALLY LOVE GIVING OUR KIDS A CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THE SCHOOLS AND HAVE SOME EXPERIENCES AND SOME OTHER AREAS.

AGREED. OTHER COMMENTS? NO? OKAY. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS?

[00:35:04]

NEXT WE HAVE OUR REPORTS. JUST ONE REPORT AND PRESENTATION THIS EVENING.

[12. REPORTS-7:45 pm]

I CAME UP ON THE AGENDA SO QUICKLY. [LAUGHTER]. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S JANUARY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OCTOBER, BUT IN TWO WEEKS WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT NOVEMBER, AND THEN WE WILL BE ALL CAUGHT UP FOR OUR CYCLE FOR THE YEAR.

I HAVE A VERY EASY REPORT THIS EVENING. BASICALLY, OCTOBER LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO SEPTEMBER JUST ONE MONTH LATER.

SO I SAW NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE TO REPORT ON.

JUST WANTED TO JUST I'D LIKE TO FIND LITTLE UPDATES OR REMINDERS OR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. EVERY MONTH WE HAVE THIS CATEGORY CALLED OTHER REVENUES.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S EVEN HARD FOR ME TO REMEMBER WHAT'S IN THERE.

SO ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF OTHER REVENUES IS OUR SNOHOMISH COUNTY AND FOUNDATION GRANTS THAT SUPPORT SOME OF OUR STAFF.

SO THAT'S IN THERE. IF I LOOK AT REVENUES AT THIS TIME OF YEAR COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS EXPENDITURES THEY'RE CONSISTENT. THEY'RE IN LINE WITH THE BUDGET.

AND WITH YOU KNOW, THE TREND. LOOKING AT THESE LITTLE PIE HALF PIE GRAPHS OUR TOTAL FUND BALANCE. SO MORE THAN JUST THE UNRESTRICTED PORTION WAS 8.61% AT THE END OF 24-25 AND 25-26 IS JUST TRENDING JUST A HAIR ABOVE THAT.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M SEEING ON THIS CHART AS WELL, WHICH IS THE TREND LINE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

THOSE THAT ENDING FUND BALANCE NUMBER IS PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH SEPTEMBER.

YOU WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A SNEAK PEAK FOR NOVEMBER.

YOU ALSO SEE ABOUT THE SAME THING FOR NOVEMBER.

IT'S STILL TRENDING WHERE IT IS ON THIS CHART.

SINCE WE ARE PREPARING FOR YOUR ENROLLMENT FOR 26-27 NEXT WEEK I'VE STARTED LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS, AND JANUARY IS TRENDING ABOUT 337.

SO SINCE JANUARY IS KIND OF IT'S NOT THE MIDPOINT OF THE FISCAL YEAR, BUT IT'S THE MIDPOINT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, BASICALLY. THAT'S PROBABLY ABOUT WHERE WE'LL LAND.

AND AGAIN, THAT 300 SOME HAS ALREADY BEEN FACTORED INTO THIS LINE.

SO UNLESS IT INCREASES OR DECREASES DEPENDING ON WHICH DIRECTION, IF ENROLLMENT IS WORSE THAN 337 DOWN FROM BUDGET, THEN I WOULD HAVE TO AMEND THAT FUND BALANCE.

BUT IF IT STAYS AT THAT LEVEL, WHICH IT APPEARS TO BE DOING THE ENDING FUND BALANCE PROJECTIONS ARE STILL PRETTY VALID.

THANK YOU I JUST HAVE ONE FOR YOU. AND IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GREAT, YOU KNOW, AN ANSWER FOR THIS ONE, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF DISTRICTS IN THE AREA ARE HAVING A DOWNWARD ENROLLMENT ISSUE.

HAVE YOU TALKED TO ANY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IN OTHER DISTRICTS? LIKE HOW DO WE COMPARE? ANY KNOWLEDGE ON THAT? NOT AT THE PRESENT, BUT THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT DID PROVIDE A CHART.

I COULD PUT MY HANDS ON IT AND SEND IT TO DOCTOR MINER.

AND IN THE OSPI REPORT TODAY CHRIS REYKDAL SHARED THAT THE KINDERGARTEN NUMBERS STATEWIDE ARE ABOUT 10,000 STUDENTS FEWER THAN THE SENIORS. SO WE'RE SEEING AND THIS WHATEVER THE WHATEVER THE OPPOSITE OF A BUBBLE IS, WILL BE HAPPENING FOR A WHILE NOW THAT WE WILL HAVE WE KNOW WHAT THE BIRTH RATES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE. WE WILL BE HAVING MUCH SMALLER ENTRY CLASSES THAN GRADUATING CLASSES, WHICH WILL HAVE A DEEP IMPACT ON DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE SEATTLE TIMES YESTERDAY THAT I SHARED WITH EVERYBODY.

I SHARED IT VERY LATE, SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT TO SEE IT, BUT BASICALLY WAS SAYING THAT THAT THIS IS A TREND ACROSS THE STATE AND DID MENTION SOME

[00:40:07]

SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE.

AND SEATTLE IS DOWN WHICH. THAT'S GOING TO GET THE HEADLINES YEAH, EXACTLY. OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR LYDIA? WE'LL KEEP ON TRUCKING. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE NEW BUSINESS

[13. NEW BUSINESS- 8:00 pm]

THE FIRST IS 13.1, A SINGLE READING APPROVAL OF CONTRACT TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT MOUNTLAKE TERRACE.

SO, DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL? I MOVE TO APPROVE. I SECOND OUR ACTOR. I'VE HEARD A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'M SURE YOU WOULD SAY THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS FOR APPROVING.

YES. [LAUGHTER] YES RIGHT HERE. IF NOBODY ELSE SAID IT, I WAS DEFINITELY GOING, THIS IS A 2024 BOND.

AND I KNOW THAT HAVING BEEN AT THE MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL THERE, THEY NEED THIS, SO IT WILL BE WELL RECEIVED, I'M SURE. AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE PRODUCTIONS THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE DOING ON THOSE STAGES THAT ARE WELL LIT.

YES. ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL.

PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY, ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE CONTRACT AWARD FOR BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT MOUNTLAKE TERRACE HIGH SCHOOL IS APPROVED.

THE NEXT ONE IS 13.2, A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE A CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING FOR LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL? MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE.

AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? AND AGAIN, WE THANK THE VOTERS BECAUSE THIS IS ANOTHER 2024 BOND THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE OUR VOTERS HAVE APPROVED THIS AND WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS THROUGH THAT.

ANY OTHER? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY, ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE CONTRACT AWARD TO BELLEVUE LIGHTING AND STAGE FOR THE THEATER LIGHTING PROJECT AT LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL IS APPROVED.

FINAL ITEM OF NEW BUSINESS IS 13.3, A FIRST READING WITH NO ACTION OF REVISED BOARD POLICY 6880 FOR RENTAL, SALE OR LEASE OF DISTRICT RURAL PROPERTY. THE ONLY CHANGE THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO THIS POLICY IS A CHANGE FROM 5 TO 10 YEAR LEASES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE OR ACTUALLY BE LIMITED TO, IF REQUIRED BY A STATE OR FEDERAL GRANT.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? I JUST THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE GRANTS WHEN POSSIBLE, AND IF THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE, THEN I'M IN FAVOR OF MAKING THIS CHANGE.

I AGREE, I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. IF IN A CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WE NEED TO MAKE IT UP TO TEN YEARS, THEN WE SHOULD DO SO. AND I REALIZE THAT IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION WHEN WE WOULD DO SO.

BUT WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE. THANK YOU. I WILL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU ON JANUARY 27TH.

JANUARY 27TH FOR A SECOND READING AND POTENTIAL ACTION.

EXCELLENT. NEXT WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND WE WILL TURN TO OUR NEW LEGISLATIVE REP DIRECTOR GERRARD.

[14. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES]

SO THERE HAVE BEEN ZOOM MEETINGS HELD WITH EIGHT OF NINE STILL, OR DOES THAT COUNT THE DEREK STANFORD AIDE? WE'VE DONE ALL NINE YES. WHICH I DON'T THINK WE DID BEFORE WE HAD TO FINISH THIS.

[LAUGHTER] OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO YES, I WAS. NOW THAT I'M ON BOARD, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR SENATOR STANFORD OF THE FIRST LD.

SO WE HAVE NOW MET WITH ALL NINE ABOUT TO DISCUSS OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

[00:45:05]

SO THERE IS THE WSSDA THE STATE SCHOOL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION HAS AN ADVOCACY ACTION NETWORK.

SO I WATCHED THE RECORDING OF THE DECEMBER MEETING.

AND THEN LAST WEEKEND THERE WAS A CONFERENCE HELD IN SEATTLE, SEATTLE, SEATAC.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE WSSDA AND WSSDA THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND WASBO, WHICH IS THE SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICERS WAS A JOINT LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE. SO THE THE THOSE THREE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE AGREED ON LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. THREE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

THE FIRST IS TO INCREASE THE WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE MSOC.

THOSE ARE THE ABBREVIATIONS FOR MATERIAL, SUPPLIES AND OPERATING COSTS.

THIS WOULD BE WHAT WOULD PAY FOR OUR INSURANCE, ELECTRICITY ALL THOSE OPERATING COSTS.

IF WE WENT LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A BUMP IN IN THAT AMOUNT, WHICH WAS NOT ENOUGH TO COVER THE INCREASE IN COSTS.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IT MEANS THAT MONEY HAS.

THIS IS MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND. SO IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND THAT IMPACTS STUDENTS. THAT IMPACTS SCHOOLS, THAT IMPACTS OUR STUDENT LEARNING.

SO SO THAT'S THE FOCUS, A FOCUS THAT THEY HAVE FOR THEIR FIRST PRIORITY.

THEIR SECOND PRIORITY IS TO MAKE AN EXEMPTION TO A TAX SALES TAX CHANGE THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH LEGISLATION LAST YEAR AND THAT WAS TO TAX CERTAIN SERVICES IN OUR STATE.

AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE SPEND MONEY ON SOME SERVICES FOR STUDENTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WISE WHEN WE HAVE OTHER NEEDS FOR PARTICULAR STUDENTS. SO NOW HAVING TO PAY SALES TAX ON THAT IS COSTING US, WHAT, HALF $1 MILLION A YEAR, I THINK WAS THE LAST FIGURE THAT I HEARD.

SO THAT'S THAT'S BEEN ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES IN OUR DISTRICT AS WELL AS NOW WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE EMPHASIZING THAT. THEY NEED TO CARVE OUT AN EXEMPTION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

A LOT OF LEGISLATORS APPARENTLY DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE TO TAX SCHOOLS TO GET MONEY TO GIVE TO SCHOOLS, LIKE, JUST DON'T TAX THE SCHOOLS.

AND THEN THE THIRD PRIORITY THAT THOSE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE IS NOT TO HAVE THE LEGISLATURE ENACT ANY NEW MANDATES THAT ARE UNFUNDED. SINCE 1918. [LAUGHTER] 1918 THAT'S BEFORE MY TIME.

[LAUGHTER]. SINCE 2018, THERE HAVE BEEN 77 NEW MANDATES ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

MANY OF THOSE HAVE BEEN UNFUNDED OR INCOMPLETELY FUNDED BY THE.

IN THEIR BUDGET. SO THAT MEANS WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM? AGAIN, IT'S GOT TO COME OUT OF SOMETHING ELSE.

YOU KNOW, AND SO THAT THAT IS DIMINISHING THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE PROVIDING TO STUDENTS AND THE LEARNING AND CLASS SIZES AND MANY OTHER THINGS SO.

SO THOSE ARE THE THREE. SO ACTUALLY THAT WAS KIND OF A BIT OF A.

DIFFICULT ONE TO HEAR THAT THERE MAY BE SOME VERY GOOD IDEAS COME FORWARD FROM THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE GOING TO NOT SIGN.

THERE'S AN OPTION WHEN YOU SIGN IN ON THE LEGISLATURE TO SAY, YOU YOU SUPPORT LEGISLATION, YOU OPPOSE IT OR IT'S OTHER, YOU HAVE SOME OTHER OPINION THAT'S NOT JUST UP OR DOWN.

SO IN THE PAST, THE LIKE WISE TAKEN THE POSITION OF OTHER ON THIS, THESE KINDS OF BILLS.

IN THIS CASE, THEY'RE GOING TO OPPOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEY'RE SAYING, LOOK, YOU HAVEN'T FUNDED THESE 77 MANDATES AND NOW YOU IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS, WE'RE GOING TO OPPOSE IT BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST GOING TO GIVE US ANOTHER THING TO DO AND NOT THE MONEY TO DO IT, WHETHER THAT'S, YOU KNOW, PUTTING AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON STAFF OR TEACHERS OR, OR WHOEVER SO.

SO THAT'S KIND OF SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT CONFERENCE.

WE DID HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH A COUPLE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPRESENTATIVE RUDE IS A REPUBLICAN FROM EASTERN WASHINGTON WHO SITS ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

[00:50:05]

AND THE INTERESTING THING, I GUESS I THOUGHT THAT I HEARD FROM REPRESENTATIVE RUDE WAS, I MEAN, HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAME THINGS, BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW WHY IS THAT? WHY ARE MSOCS GOING UP SO FAST? WHY IS THE INSURANCE GOING UP SO? IS THERE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO TO MAKE INSURANCE NOT GO UP SO FAST? LIKE, YOU KNOW.

THEY COULD, YOU KNOW, LIMIT SOME IN SOME WAYS, THE LIABILITY OR THE.

CHARGES THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ALLOWED TO CHARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SO HE'S INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO SOME OF THE CAUSE. ROOT CAUSES OF THINGS. AND I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT ANGLE, OF COURSE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS ALSO GOING TO BE LOOKING TO, YOU KNOW, AT POSSIBLE NEW REVENUE, BUT THAT MIGHT JUST BE TO PLUG THE HOLE IN THE BUDGET AND NOT REALLY ALLOW ANY NEW FUNDING OR ANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, LIKE AMPLE FUNDING, YOU KNOW, FULLY FUNDING BASIC EDUCATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR PARAMOUNT DUTY.

MAYBE WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE NEXT SLIDE? YEAH [LAUGHTER]. SO WHERE WE ARE IN THE SCHEDULE? SO NOW THE LEGISLATURE HAS CONVENED IT'S A SHORT SESSION.

IT'S ONLY 60 DAYS LONG. AND THEIR MAIN JOB IS TO PLUG THE HOLE IN THE BUDGET.

IN. SO WE'LL BE WATCHING TO SEE WHAT WHAT LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED.

HOW. THERE ARE SOME BILLS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CARVE OUT THAT EXEMPTION AND SALES TAX FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THERE'S ABOUT ACTUALLY 6 OR 8 BILLS THAT ARE FILED ON THAT.

AND THEY DO IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS OR TO DIFFERENT EXTENTS.

SO WE'LL NEED TO HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE BILLS AND SEE AS THEY GO FORWARD, WHICH ONES HAVE LEGS. IN OTHER WORDS, WHICH ONES ARE GAINING TRACTION.

WHICH ONES ARE GETTING INTEREST OF OTHER LEGISLATORS, GETTING SUPPORT FROM OTHER LEGISLATORS. AND SOME OF THOSE WILL PROBABLY FALL BY THE WAYSIDE, AND WE'LL BE DOWN TO 1 OR 2 THAT WE'LL BE WATCHING.

SO BY END OF JANUARY, WE WANT TO EMAIL LEGISLATORS ABOUT THIS SESSION AND KEEP AGILE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS EXACTLY GOING TO COME OUT.

SOME OF IT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT OUT OF OUR NINE LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE LILLIAN ORTIZ-SELF FROM THE 21ST REPRESENTATIVE.

SHE'S ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

BUT MAYBE MORE IMPACTFUL IS SENATOR STANFORD FROM THE 1ST LD AND REPRESENTATIVE RYU FROM THE 32ND LD BEING ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES OR WAYS AND MEANS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THOSE PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR WOULD BE HELPFUL TO BE REACHING OUT TO.

OKAY, LET'S SEE THE NEXT SLIDE, I THINK. SO HOW TO.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE? HAPPY TO HELP ANYONE WHO WANTED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

WHEN A BILL WHEN WE KNOW A BILL IS GOING TO HAVE A HEARING IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO. EITHER SIMPLY RECORD YOUR POSITION ON IT.

DO YOU FAVOR IT? DO YOU OPPOSE IT OR SOMETHING ELSE? YOU CAN ALSO. YOU CAN PROVIDE WRITTEN TESTIMONY.

YOU CAN ALSO TESTIFY ON THOSE BILLS. SOMETIMES THAT IS I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S STILL AVAILABLE REMOTELY.

IS IT? YEAH. SO YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROCESS REMOTELY AS WELL.

OKAY. NEXT. THERE ARE NINE LEGISLATORS. SO I MENTIONED SENATOR STANFORD, REPRESENTATIVE RYU AND.

AND REPRESENTATIVE LILLIAN ORTIZ-SELF IN PARTICULAR IS BEING ONES WHO CAN INFLUENCE OUR AGENDA, I THINK. IS THAT IT? THAT'S THE LAST ONE? OKAY.

ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD THAT IS ONE PIECE THAT WE DISCUSSED WITH SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS IN THE ZOOM BEFORE YOU TOOK OVER YOUR CURRENT ROLE WAS THE CONSIDERATION THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE OSPI

[00:55:02]

AND OUR FEELING IS NO WORRY. YOU PAY IT, YOU SEE THE BILLS, AND THAT MAYBE THE STATE COULD ACTUALLY EVEN COME UP WITH VOLUME DEALS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. OR LIKE YOU'RE SAYING THAT SOME OF THE ASSOCIATIONS ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW IS THERE A WAY TO.

OR LEGISLATORS ARE THINKING ABOUT WAYS TO LIMIT THE INSURANCE? AND ACTUALLY SENATOR SOLOMON FOLLOWED UP AND SAID HE'S WILLING TO SPONSOR A BILL IN THAT REGARD TO HAVE OSPI DO IT. NOW, IT WOULD BE MORE LONG TERM, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT WOULD COST THE STATE.

HELLO. WE COULD TELL THEM. [LAUGHTER]. BUT IT MEANS THEY COULD MONITOR THAT THEY WOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER IT AND HAVE THE COMMUNICATION WITH THE UTILITIES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. WE OF COURSE THINK IT'S BRILLIANT AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

SO AND WE'VE TOLD SENATOR SOLOMON WE'LL DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT IT.

OBVIOUSLY WILL BE A RESOURCE. BUT AS THAT UNFOLDS, I THINK WE NEED TO MONITOR THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS EXPOSURE.

BECAUSE IN THE LONG RUN, THAT WOULD BE A LOVELY SOLUTION TO THE MAIN PART OF THE MSOCS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE THAT'S THE LION'S SHARE OF THE MSOC'S EXPENSES.

SO I JUST I WANTED TO ADD THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS SORT OF A SIDE THING THAT CAME OUT OF OUR DISCUSSION WITH HIM.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY POSITIVE. I HOPE THAT THAT WILL GET THE KIND OF TRACTION THAT WOULD HAVE IT MOVE ALONG AND NOT DIE IN THE FIRST COMMITTEE OR WHEREVER THEY THESE BILLS SOMETIMES DIE.

[LAUGHTER] A BUNCH OF PLACES AND THEY DIE. SO I JUST THOUGHT WE WOULD MENTION THAT.

AND TO BE HONEST, WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME NOW, LIKE, WHAT ARE WE DOING IN TERMS OF ADVOCACY? I MEAN, WE'VE OBVIOUSLY DONE A LOT SO FAR WITH TALKING TO EACH OF THESE LEGISLATORS, BUT TO BE HONEST, I'M JUST HOPING THEY DON'T CUT US. YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T ADD ANY, LIKE THEY DON'T ADD BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO COST US ANY MONEY THAT ARE GOING TO COST US MORE WORK THAT COST STAFF TIME AND MONEY.

AND AT LEAST DON'T CUT US IN THE IN THE BIG PICTURE.

IT WOULD BE LOVELY FOR THEM TO START FUNDING SPECIAL ED LIKE THEY SHOULD AND FUND BASIC ED LIKE THEY SHOULD AND FUND MSOCS.

BUT I THINK MAKING SURE WE JUST AREN'T CUT IS LIKE THE BOTTOM LINE OF IF WE WERE NEGOTIATING [LAUGHTER], IT'S LIKE, JUST DON'T CUT US, PLEASE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE STATE'S IN TROUBLE AND THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

AND UNTIL THEY DO, DON'T TAKE IT FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I COULD JUST ADD THAT WE DON'T HAVE, OF COURSE, ANY COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET FROM THE LEGISLATURE, BUT WE DO HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, WHICH HE PROPOSED.

AND THAT WAS THAT GENERALLY DID PROTECT K-12, BUT CUT A LOT IN HIGHER ED AND ALSO IN PRESCHOOL.

SO THAT'S. BIG PICTURE WISE, THAT'S NOT GREAT.

BUT IT DID SPARE A LOT OF THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO K-12.

YEAH. YEAH ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? OKAY. SO NEXT ON THE AGENDA ARE THE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS.

[15. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]

HAPPY BELATED NEW YEAR. CHEERS TO 2026. I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

AND SHOUT OUT TO DIRECTOR SMITH FOR THE BEARD.

[LAUGHTER] THAT WAS PRETTY COOL. FOR MY SCHOOL, THE MOST MAJOR UPDATE IS RUBBER CHICKEN EDMONDS-WOODWAY BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL BEAT MEADOWDALE. SO THAT WAS PRETTY EXCITING. ADMITTEDLY, I'VE BEEN IN THE BOX OF IB ALONG WITH MY AROUND 50 OTHER FELLOW [LAUGHTER] FULL IB DIPLOMA CANDIDATE STUDENTS, SO WE'VE BEEN PRETTY SWAMPED AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND I GUESS ANOTHER BIG NEWS IN MY LIFE IS THAT I HAVE THE PROPOSED SENATE BILL 5574.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO REMEMBER, SENATE BILL 5574 GOT A HEARING LAST YEAR, AND IT IS TO REQUIRE ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT IN WASHINGTON K-12 SCHOOLS, AND IT NEVER MADE IT OUT OF THE COMMITTEE.

SO THIS YEAR, WE FILED PROPOSED SENATE BILL, PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5574.

AND THE NEW ADDITION IS THAT IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE LATINO, AMERICAN AND BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS.

[01:00:03]

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, YOU CAN SEARCH IT UP ONLINE AND THERE'S STILL TIME TO SIGN IN PRO OR CON, IF YOU'RE AGAINST IT. AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK IT OUT.

THANK YOU. GOOD FOR YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT. ISMAEL.

HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD NIGHT. IT'S PROBABLY PRETTY DARK OUT THERE.

[LAUGHTER] I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO TOP LEGISLATURE FOR MY PUBLIC COMMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. I CAN GIVE A BIT OF UPDATES ON SCHOOLS.

FINALS WEEK HAS BEEN COMING UP AND IT'S HITTING A LITTLE BIT TOO EARLY, RIGHT AFTER A VERY SHORT WINTER BREAK, I FEEL LIKE. I'VE BEEN SURPRISED THAT ACTUALLY A LOT OF TEACHERS IN MY SCHOOL HAVE BEEN DECIDING TO OPT OUT OF GIVING A FINAL AS, LIKE, JUST A TEST INSTEAD. I THINK IT STARTED IN THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, BUT NOW IT'S STARTING TO SPREAD WHERE TEACHERS ARE MORE OF ASSIGNING PROJECTS.

NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM DID START ASSIGNING IT OVER WINTER BREAK, WHICH KIND OF SUCKS, [LAUGHTER] BUT IT'S BETTER THAN A SINGULAR TEST.

CHESS CLUB WAS ACTUALLY GIVEN A VISIT BY DIRECTOR GERRARD.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT WAS VERY ENTERTAINING.

AND BESIDES THAT, [LAUGHTER] I HAVE NO MORE COMMENTS THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD TREND FOR TEACHERS TO DO A PROJECT THAT BRINGS A LOT OF HAVE YOU WORK ON LOTS OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU'VE LEARNED IN AN APPLIED KIND OF WAY. I THINK THAT'S TERRIFIC. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

DIRECTOR CRAMER. I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENTS TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. WOW THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER]. DIRECTOR SMITH.

THAT IS FUNNY BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE THE ONE PERSON UP HERE WHO SAID I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO PASS FOR THE EVENING, SO THIS WILL BE QUICK. [LAUGHTER].

THANK YOU BOTH. THANK YOU. DIRECTOR GERRARD. THE CHESS EXPERIENCE.

THIS GUY BEAT ME BOTH TIMES [LAUGHTER]. YEAH.

BUT THEN I WHIPPED THE REST OF THE CLUB. SO I FELT GOOD ABOUT THAT.

[LAUGHTER]. YEAH. I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME OF THE THINGS COMING UP.

AND BEEN DIVING INTO THE LEGISLATIVE STUFF. I DID WANT TO MENTION HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THE PERFORMANCE OF ANNIE, WHICH THE DIRECTOR KILGORE WAS IN AND ALSO DIRECTOR CRAMER AND THEIR KIDS WAS VERY FUN, AND I LOVED WATCHING. WATCHING THAT, SEEING THAT INTERACTION, SEEING THE SEEING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE TWO GENERATIONS TOGETHER WAS REALLY, REALLY COOL. SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THAT. DIRECTOR CHASE.

I'LL KEEP IT SHORT TOO. THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

THE LEGISLATURE STARTED ON MONDAY. WOOHOO! AND I'M SO THRILLED THAT DIRECTOR GERRARD IS STEPPING UP AS OUR LEGISLATIVE REP.

I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE AND I'M THRILLED THAT YOU'RE DIVING RIGHT INTO THIS.

AND I'M JUST GOING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WEBSITE THAT THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE.

THEY'VE REALLY MADE IT SUPER EASY VERY INTUITIVE, VERY EASY TO RECORD TESTIMONY TO FOLLOW UP AND JUST THOSE THOSE HEARINGS ARE REALLY INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT BILLS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE SOME FOLKS THERE'S LIKE AN AI BILL TOMORROW ALONG WITH THAT HISTORY BILL. AND I'M ALSO JUST THRILLED WHEN STUDENTS ARE STEPPING UP AND ENGAGING IN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING DECISION MAKERS AND ADVOCATING FOR THOSE THINGS THEY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT. SO THANK YOU, SCARLETT, FOR LEADING THE WAY.

AND THAT'S IT. HAPPY NEW YEAR. EXCELLENT THANK YOU.

I'M JUST GOING TO SHARE TWO EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE LAST BOARD MEETING.

ONE WAS A VISIT TO EDMONDS L WITH DOCTOR MINER AND IT WAS A STAFF MEETING THEY WERE HAVING AT EDMONDS L AND NOW I'M LOOKING AT A FRIEND OF OURS IN THE AUDIENCE. ENTIRE FOCUS ON MATH. THE WHOLE SCHOOL IS FOCUSING ON MATH.

ALL OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS ON MATH.

ALL THE DISCUSSION WAS ON MATH AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO EVERYTHING ELSE.

I THOUGHT THAT THERE MIGHT BE AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THAT.

THE OTHER PLACE I VISITED ALSO WITH DOCTOR MINER WAS THE ALDERWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER.

IF ANYBODY KNOWS ME REALLY WELL, EARLY CHILDHOOD IS MY FIRST LOVE AND THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE I HAD.

SO I PARTICULARLY LOVE IT, BUT THERE WERE A FEW THINGS I WANTED TO REMARK ON.

THEY WERE DOING GREAT THINGS. ONE CHILD READ A BOOK TO ME BY TELLING ME THE STORY AS HE TURNED THE PAGES.

THIS IS THE VERY FOUNDATIONAL PIECE OF LEARNING TO READ.

THESE ARE THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS. IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL.

HE TOLD THE STORY REALLY WELL. WE SAW GROSS MOTOR, WE SAW MATH, WE SAW FINE MOTOR.

AND I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO THE STAFF BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT I BROKE THE RULES.

AND WHEN A LITTLE GIRL ASKED ME FOR A DIFFERENT COLOR OF PLAY-DOH, I GAVE IT TO HER, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO MIX IT.

[01:05:07]

DOCTOR MINER POINTED IT OUT TO ME [LAUGHTER] THAT I BROKE THE RULES.

NEVERTHELESS, IT WAS A VERY ENJOYABLE VISIT, AND WE'RE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS WITH THE LITTLE ONES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BRING INTO THE DISTRICT AND WORK WITH. AND I WILL SAY TO THE CHILD WHO ASKED FOR THE EXTRA PLAY-DOH'S CREDIT, SHE NEEDED IT TOGETHER LIKE SHE WAS A BAKER. I MEAN, SHE WAS SO QUICK WITH MIXING THOSE COLORS.

THERE WAS NOT GOING TO BE ANY UNDOING. SO. AND SHE WAS REALLY NANCY MADE HER DAY.

SO THAT WAS FUN [LAUGHTER]. I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE DURING THESE REALLY STILL VERY DARK DAYS OF THE YEAR, THERE ARE SO MANY FUN EVENTS GOING ON AT OUR SCHOOLS.

PICK A HIGH SCHOOL, GO SEE A GAME. WE HAVE CONCERTS COMING UP.

OUR QUAD CONCERTS START BEFORE TOO LONG. LOTS OF FUN THINGS TO DO.

GET OUT AND ENJOY OUR STUDENTS DOING THE THINGS THEY LOVE AND ADMIRE THEIRS AND THEIR TEACHERS WORK THROUGH THOSE EVENTS.

PLUS, LET'S ADD THAT ONE OF OUR STUDENTS IS TATIANA IS IN A PLAY RIGHT NOW.

SO ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED AT EDMONDS HEIGHTS, I HEAR IT'S VERY GOOD.

I'M GOING TO GET MY HUSBAND TO GO WITH ME THIS WEEKEND. AND WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO PARTICIPATED.

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

I WOULD.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.