[00:00:01] GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. THIS REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER. [1. CALL TO ORDER-6:30 pm] AND I'LL DO A ROLL CALL. DIRECTOR CRAMER. PRESENT. [2. ROLL CALL-6:31 pm (ALL TIMES ARE ESTIMATED)] DIRECTOR SMITH CAN'T BE WITH US TONIGHT. DIRECTOR GARRARD. PRESENT. DIRECTOR CHASE, WE THINK WE HAVE ON ZOOM. KAREN, ARE YOU THERE? YOU'RE MUTED. SHE'S STILL MUTED. WELL, I'M DIRECTOR KATIMS, SO WE DO HAVE A QUORUM HERE. AND I'M SURE WHEN DIRECTOR CHASE IS ABLE TO RESPOND, SHE'LL LET US KNOW BECAUSE I BELIEVE SHE'S HERE. WE SEE HER PICTURE. NEXT, I'LL ASK DR. MINER TO DO THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT. [3. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-6:32 pm] THANK YOU, DR. KATIMS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THIS PLACE, THE SDOHOBSH 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] 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 AS PRESENTED? [5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA-6:34 pm] I MOVE TO APPROVE. I SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND IS THERE DISCUSSION? THERE IS AN ITEM ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA THAT WE'D LIKE TO STRIKE AND BRING BACK AT A FUTURE MEETING. UNDER NEW BUSINESS, ITEM 11.1, THE SINGLE READING OF THE APPROVAL OF EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE ALDERWOOD WATER AND WASTEWATER DISTRICT FOR OAK HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THEY INTRODUCED A NEW EXHIBIT, WHICH WE DIDN'T WANT TO JUST REPLACE AT THE LAST MINUTE IN. THE COUNTY. I'M SORRY. ALDERWOOD WATER PROVIDED SOMETHING NEW, A SLIGHTLY ADJUSTED EXHIBIT, SO WE'D LIKE TO PULL THAT AND BRING IT BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING. I MOVE THAT WE REMOVE ITEM 11.1 FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA. I'LL SECOND THAT. THERE'S A MOTION TO REMOVE ITEM 11.1 FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA. DO I HEAR ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF REMOVING ITEM 11.1 FROM TONIGHT'S AGENDA, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE MOTION PASSES. BEFORE WE MOVE ON, CAN WE JUST CHECK FOR DIRECTOR CHASE AGAIN? DIRECTOR CHASE? SHE CAN'T HEAR US. IS THAT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS? SHE CAN HEAR US. KAREN, YOU'RE STILL MUTED. THERE WE GO. DIRECTOR CHASE, WERE YOU ABLE TO HEAR THE MOTION AND THE SECOND TO REMOVE ITEM 11.1 FROM THE CURRENT AGENDA? DIRECTOR CHASE, YOU'RE UNMUTED. CAN YOU TRY TALKING AND SEE IF WE CAN HEAR YOU? IS THAT AN OUR SPEAKER ISSUE OR A DIRECTOR CHASE? WE DO HAVE A QUORUM. WITHOUT HER, I DON'T THINK WE CAN ALLOW HER VOTES VIA. ZOOM. VIA. LIKE A THUMB. WE CAN ALLOW A VOTE VIA ZOOM, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN ALLOW LIKE A THUMBS UP VOTE OR ANYTHING. [00:05:02] WELL, WE HAVE THREE YAYS. SO THE MOTION DOES PASS. RIGHT. AND SHE'S LISTENING TO US SO SHE CAN LISTEN AND. YEAH. AND DIRECTOR CHASE, WHENEVER YOU CAN WEIGH IN, LET US KNOW. SO. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED. I SECOND THAT MOTION. OKAY. SO THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S AGENDA AS AMENDED. DO I HEAR ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. I'LL CALL FOR A VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING TONIGHT'S AGENDA, AS AMENDED, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE AMENDED AGENDA IS APPROVED. NEXT, WE HAVE [6. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT-6:35 pm] DR. MINER'S SUPERINTENDENT REPORT. WELL, THINGS ARE DEFINITELY WINDING UP AS WE GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE SCHOOL YEAR. I'VE BEEN SEEING OUR BUSSES OUT ON THE ROAD DOING TIMINGS, GETTING TRAINING IN. I'M SURE SOME OF THE REST OF YOU HAVE SEEN THAT AS WELL, WHICH IS ALWAYS A CLEAR SIGNAL THAT WE'RE GETTING CLOSE. WE HAD OUR DLT, DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING LAST WEEK, AND THEN OUR PRINCIPALS, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SECONDARY, ELTS AND SLTS HAD A FULL DAY MEETING TODAY, AND EVERYONE IS JUST GETTING VERY EXCITED TO GET OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF BACK IN THE BUILDINGS. THAT IS EXCITING. IT'S AUGUST. NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES. [7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES-6:40 pm] TONIGHT WE HAVE TWO SETS OF MINUTES. ONE IS THE SET OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 30TH, 2026, THE SPECIAL MEETING THAT WE HAD AS A STUDY SESSION ON START AND END TIMES, AND THE OTHER IS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 7TH 2026 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING. DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE BOTH THOSE SETS OF MINUTES? I MOVE TO APPROVE BOTH SETS. I SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE BOTH SETS AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. IS THERE ANY OPPOSITION? HEARING NONE. THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 30TH, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 7TH, 2026 REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING ARE APPROVED. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE AGENDA IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO ADDRESS THE SCHOOL BOARD. [8. PUBLIC COMMENTS-7:10 pm] 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 SCHOOL DISTRICT, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR THE AUDIENCE TO ADDRESS EACH OTHER. ALSO, AS DOCUMENTED BY BOARD POLICY, THE BOARD IS NOT OBLIGATED TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS OR CHALLENGES THAT ARE MADE DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND THE BOARD'S SILENCE WILL NOT SIGNAL AGREEMENT, DISAGREEMENT OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE SPEAKER'S REMARKS. PEOPLE MAY SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS EITHER BY READING YOUR COMMENT HERE ALOUD, IN PERSON, OR BY SUBMITTING YOUR COMMENT IN WRITING. TONIGHT WE HAD 4 COMMENTS IN WRITING. 2 HAD TO DO WITH PERSON. 3 HAD TO DO WITH PERSONNEL ITEMS, AND ONE HAD TO DO WITH START AND END TIMES. THE BOARD READS ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS AND THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MEETING AGENDA AND POSTED FOR THE PUBLIC ON THE BOARD DOCS WEBSITE. WHEN YOU PRESENT YOUR COMMENT IN PERSON, PLEASE BEGIN 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 TONIGHT. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. TIMER WILL BE RUNNING SO THAT YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR TIME. AND AT THE THREE MINUTE MARK, THE MICROPHONE WILL BE 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, I WILL BE DIRECTING THE MICROPHONE TO BE MUTED AND YOUR COMMENT WOULD BE ENDED AT THAT TIME, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME LEFT ON THE TIMER. THE DESCRIPTION OF AN UNCIVIL COMMENT IS STATED IN THE SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1400, AND IT'S INCLUDED IN THE INFORMATION THAT'S AT THE TABLE WHERE YOU SIGN IN TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. PLEASE USE GOOD JUDGMENT IN THE PHRASING AND CONTENT OF YOUR COMMENT. RELEVANT ITEMS MENTIONED IN COMMENTS ARE TYPICALLY NOT ACTED UPON BY THE BOARD AT THIS TIME, BUT MAY BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE BOARD, THE SUPERINTENDENT AND OR STAFF AT A LATER TIME. [00:10:06] THE BOARD ALSO ACCEPTS COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME VIA EMAIL. WE READ EACH EMAIL AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT IT TAKES FOR FOLKS TO WRITE THEM. COMMENTS ARE MADE FROM THE PODIUM OVER THERE. AND TONIGHT THE FIRST ONE WILL BE KELLY HAYLOR. DID I PRONOUNCE THAT CORRECTLY? KELLY? MY NAME IS KELLY HAYLOR. I LIVE IN EDMONDS AND I'M A PARENT WITH A KID IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF SOME CONCERNED PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND I'M GOING TO BE READING A COMMUNITY PETITION, WHICH WE WILL BE EMAILING TO YOU AFTER THE MEETING TONIGHT. FROM RECENT MEDIA REPORTS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING COMMENTS, PARENTS OF EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE LEARNED THE FOLLOWING. FROM 2022 THROUGH 2024, MULTIPLE STAFF MEMBERS AND PARENTS AT MEADOWDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORTED INSTANCES OF ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY A MALE SPECIAL EDUCATION LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER. THE ALLEGED ABUSE WAS DIRECTED AT BOTH STAFF AND SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS. THESE CONCERNS WERE FIRST BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN LATE 2022, BUT NO ACTIONS WERE TAKEN AT THAT TIME. REPORTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF CONCERNING BEHAVIOR CONTINUED. ALMOST A YEAR LATER, IN DECEMBER 2023, THE DISTRICT FINALLY STARTED AN AN INVESTIGATION AFTER A FEMALE STAFF MEMBER REPORTED INAPPROPRIATE STAFF TO STAFF MISCONDUCT. DURING THE COURSE OF THAT INVESTIGATION, MULTIPLE STAFF WERE INTERVIEWED AND BROUGHT UP THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING THAT MALE TEACHER'S CONDUCT TOWARDS STUDENTS. NO CHILDREN WERE INTERVIEWED DURING THIS INVESTIGATION. THE ULTIMATE RESULT WAS A VERBAL ADMONISHMENT AND A LETTER OF DIRECTIVE TO THE TEACHER, WHICH DETAILED SPECIFIC BOUNDARIES THIS TEACHER SHOULD NOT CROSS WITH ADULTS OR CHILDREN. THIS LETTER WAS PLACED IN HIS WORKING DISCIPLINARY FILE. DESPITE THE VERY SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES, THE BEHAVIOR CONTINUED AND ESCALATED. IT TOOK ANOTHER EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE THE TEACHER WAS FINALLY PLACED ON ADMIN LEAVE FOR THE 2024 TO 2025 SCHOOL YEAR. THAT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS AFTER THE FIRST CONCERNS WERE RAISED. DURING THAT TIME, IN MAY 2024, A STAFF MEMBER NOT IN ADMINISTRATION REPORTED THE BEHAVIOR TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BEGAN. WHILE THE CRIMINAL CASE WAS STILL PENDING, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS PREPARED TO ASSIGN HIM TO MEADOWDALE HIGH SCHOOL AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER FOR THE 2025 TO 2026 SCHOOL YEAR. THAT WOULD HAVE PUT HIM IN A POSITION TO ACCESS AND RETRAUMATIZE THE SAME STUDENTS THAT HE ALLEGEDLY ABUSED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH WARING. I LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED SNOHOMISH COUNTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT, AND I'M A PARENT OF CHILDREN WITHIN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT. I WILL CONTINUE READING THE PETITION. WHEN A MEADOWDALE ELEMENTARY STUDENT CAME FORWARD WITH RAPE ALLEGATIONS IN AUGUST 2025, THE TEACHER WAS PLACED ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR A SECOND YEAR, THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR. THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS, THE TEACHER REMAINED ON FULL PAY. AS OF AUGUST 2026, HE EXITS HIS POSITION WITH NO DOCUMENTED DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND A SEVERANCE PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES 6 MONTHS OF ADDITIONAL PAY PLUS MEDICAL BENEFITS. MEANWHILE, THE STUDENTS AND STAFF AFFECTED ARE LEFT TO GRAPPLE WITH THE ENORMOUS EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OF THESE EVENTS AND PROFOUND LACK OF JUSTICE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION DID NOT NOTIFY PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN AFFECTED, EVEN THOUGH IT IS REQUIRED BY WASHINGTON STATE LAW. REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON 28A.320.160 AND RCW28A400.317. THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS DID NOT REPORT THE ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CPS WITHIN THE TIME FRAME REQUIRED BY THESE RCWS. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF SHOULD HAVE REPORTED WITHIN 48 HOURS AFTER THE FIRST CONCERN, AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY, A PARENT OF A VICTIM WROTE A PLEA TO DR. MINER VIA EMAIL IN 2024 TO GET HELP AND ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER WELL OVER A YEAR OF INSUFFICIENT ACTION BY THE DISTRICT. THIS EMAIL INCLUDED ADDITIONAL DETAILED ABUSE ALLEGATIONS, INCLUDING THAT THIS TEACHER LEANED ON THE VICTIM, RUBBED HER BACK AND THAT ONCE IT FELT LIKE HIS PENIS WAS PRESSING ON HER. DESPITE THIS ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE TO DR. MINER VIA EMAIL, THERE IS NO RECORD THAT DR. MINER REPORTED THIS INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CPS AS REQUIRED BY LAW. [00:15:06] I'M GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FROM READING THE PETITION WITH THE REMAINDER OF MY TIME. DR. MINER, I AND OTHER PARENTS MET WITH YOU AND DR. SCHWAB ON APRIL 13TH OF 2026. YOU INDICATED AT THAT TIME THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION THAT WAS ONGOING AND THAT YOU WOULD NOT DISCUSS CERTAIN DETAILS OF WHAT HAD OCCURRED UNTIL THAT INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE. I'M ASSUMING SINCE THIS TEACHER HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED WITH HIS SUBSTANTIAL PAY PACKAGE, THAT THAT INVESTIGATION IS CONCLUDED, AND I WOULD PERSONALLY ASK, AND I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS REQUEST, THAT THAT REPORT BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHELSEA RUDD. HI, MY NAME IS CHELSEA RUDD. I LIVE IN EDMONDS AND I'M A PARENT OF TWO. ONE IS ENTERING THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEXT MONTH. AND I WILL READ THE REMAINDER OF THE PETITION. WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, SEEK A FUTURE WHERE ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE FREE FROM SEXUAL ABUSE ON CAMPUS. THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN ERODED. TO PROVE TO THE COMMUNITY AND CURRENT STAFF THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TRUSTWORTHY IN THE DEALINGS WITH THE CHILDREN AND THEIR CARE, WE DEMAND THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS. NUMBER ONE. PLACE DR. REBECCA MINER ON LEAVE AND HIRE AN INTERIM SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAS A TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES, INCLUDING THE CULTURE OF AN ORGANIZATION. DUE TO THE MULTIPLE AND SYSTEMATIC FAILURES THAT OCCURRED UNDER DR. MINER'S WATCH, WE ARE DOUBTFUL THAT SHE WOULD FACILITATE A PROPER INVESTIGATION AND IMPLEMENT ANY RECOMMENDED CHANGES AND FOSTER A CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY. NUMBER 2. COMMISSION AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATION BY A FIRM WITH DEMONSTRATED EXPERTISE INVESTIGATING WORKPLACE MISCONDUCT AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. TO ENSURE IMPARTIALITY, THE FIRM MUST HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT STAFF, NOR BE SUGGESTED BY THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT'S INSURANCE PROVIDER OR ATTORNEYS. THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT SHOULD IDENTIFY ANY FAILURES IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT NOTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION PROTOCOLS. THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE AND ANY SYSTEMATIC ISSUES THAT COULD IMPEDE FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THE REPORT SHOULD INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WHO FAILED TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES. THE FORMER AGENCY MUST ALSO MAKE ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE REPORTS FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY, THOROUGHLY AND WITH THE SERIOUSNESS THEY DESERVE. NUMBER 3. RELEASE THE REPORT TO THE PUBLIC AND ISSUE A PUBLIC REPORT EVERY SIX MONTHS ON PROGRESS, WHERE THE DISTRICT DESCRIBES IN DETAIL AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO IMPLEMENT EACH RECOMMENDATION. AT THIS TIME, A LITTLE OVER 300 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THE PETITION, AND IT'S STILL GROWING. THANK YOU. NEXT IS WENDY MASTERSON. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS WENDY MASTERSON. I LIVE IN LYNNWOOD, AND MY MOST RECENT CONNECTION TO THE DISTRICT IS RETIRING AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DISTRICT. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT STAFF CONCERNS. AS EDUCATORS, OUR FUNDAMENTAL DUTY IS THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR CHARGE. WE HAVE WATCHED WITH MOUNTING DREAD AS THIS TOXIC ENVIRONMENT HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL ON OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. WE SAW THE GROOMING, WE SAW THE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, AND WE SAW THE HARASSMENT. WE FELT IT. WE FELT THE AGONIZING WAIT, KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT OUR STUDENTS WERE ENDURING. WE DID WHAT WE WERE MORALLY, ETHICALLY, AND LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO DO. WE REPORTED IT. IN RESPONSE, WE WERE TOLD, DON'T MAKE THIS OUT TO BE MORE THAN IT IS. DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE BEING OVERLY DRAMATIC? ACCUSATIONS LIKE THIS CAN REALLY DIVIDE A STAFF. WE WERE TOLD BASICALLY, THERE'S NOTHING TO BE SEEN HERE AND NOTHING TO BE DONE. WHEN WE PERSISTED BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF A CHILD IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN BRUSH ASIDE, WE WERE IGNORED. WE WERE DISMISSED. WE WERE UNHEARD. WE FELT THREATENED, AND WE FELT EXPLICITLY WARNED. [00:20:04] IF WE REPORTED THESE ABUSES AGAIN, WE WOULD BE VIOLATING BUILDING NORMS, COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS AND POSSIBLY VIOLATING THE PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF OUR CONTRACTS. BUT THE HARM DID NOT STOP. THE STAFF WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE INAPPROPRIATE AND VERY CONCERNING BEHAVIOR OF THIS TEACHER. WE BROUGHT OUR PLEAS TO THE ADMINISTRATION. WE WERE SILENCED AGAIN. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE MATTER HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT IT WAS UNPROFESSIONAL TO KEEP PUSHING. I SUBMIT TO YOU TODAY THAT IF ADVOCATING FOR ABUSED CHILDREN IS UNPROFESSIONAL, THEN THIS DISTRICT'S DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONALISM IS FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN. OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS. RECOGNIZING THAT UNRESOLVED TRAUMA CAN HAVE A LONG TERM IMPACT AND FOREVER CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES. NEXT IS SYLVIA FERREIRA. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SYLVIA FERREIRA. I'M A PARENT WHO LIVES IN UNINCORPORATED SNOHOMISH COUNTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT. I'M ALSO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EDMONDS SPECIAL EDUCATION PTSA, AND I'LL BE READING AN ABRIDGED VERSION OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY OUR PTSA. DEAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AS LEADERS OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, SPECIAL EDUCATION PTSA AND PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, WE WERE HORRIFIED TO READ THE RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE OF ABUSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF MEMBERS IN OUR DISTRICT WHO WORK WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS. THE NEWS REPORTS THAT A STAFF MEMBER AT MEADOWDALE WAS ALLEGEDLY ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, EVEN AFTER CREDIBLE EYEWITNESSES MADE SEVERAL REPORTS ABOUT THE ABUSE IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS MADE WORSE BY THE FACT THAT THESE REPORTS OF ABUSE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF OUR LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, BUT WERE STILL NOT ACTED UPON IN A WAY THAT WOULD PROTECT STUDENTS. THIS STORY COMES ON THE HEELS OF COVERAGE EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHICH REVEALED THAT A PARAEDUCATOR IN OUR DISTRICT WAS ALLEGEDLY ABLE TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT A DEAF STUDENT OVER THE SPAN OF MANY YEARS. THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IN THESE STORIES IS THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WHO ARE STATISTICALLY MORE VULNERABLE TO ABUSE ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY PROTECTED IN OUR DISTRICT. AS PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND ADVOCATES FOR FAMILIES WITH DISABLED STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, WE ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED BY THE LACK OF ACTION, URGENCY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT THE DISTRICT HAS DEMONSTRATED IN RESPONSE TO THESE CASES. SINCE CURRENT PRACTICES ARE NOT STOPPING HARM AND ARE CLEARLY NOT PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS, WE DEMAND THE FOLLOWING CHANGES BE MADE SO THAT FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN FEEL SAFE RETURNING TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER. 01, PLEASE TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PAST INVESTIGATIVE FAILURES, INCLUDING AT MEADOWDALE. 02, ENSURE YOUR INVESTIGATION PROCESSES ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW, INCLUDING THE DUTIES THAT ARE REQUIRED OF MANDATED REPORTERS AND THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN WASHINGTON STATE LAW. 3, CREATE INTERIM PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN CASES OF ALLEGED ABUSE. WE HAVE BEEN APPALLED TO LEARN HOW OFTEN STAFF ARE ALLOWED TO STAY IN STUDENT FACING ROLES, EVEN AFTER CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST THEM. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE. PLEASE CREATE A CLEAR POLICY THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE STAFF FROM STUDENT FACING ROLES WHEN THEY ARE BEING INVESTIGATED FOR HARMING STUDENTS. FOUR, FULLY ASSESS AND REPAIR ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATION SYSTEM, WHICH IS CLEARLY BROKEN. PLEASE ACCOUNT FOR THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ITS FAILURES HAVE HAD ON SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT. WE SINCERELY HOPE YOUR WORK WILL START WITH COMPLIANCE, BUT NOT END THERE. OUR STUDENTS DESERVE MORE THAN THAT. THEY DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE, VALUED AND HEARD AT SCHOOL. WE HOPE THAT IN ADDITION TO MAKING THE CHANGES ABOVE, YOU WILL SEEK TO REPAIR YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. MY NAME IS JENNY BERRY. I WORKED IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A MUSIC TEACHER AND OTHER ROLES. I'D RATHER BE ANYWHERE BUT HERE. DEAR DR. KATIMS, [00:25:03] I'M READING THIS FOR A VERY CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBER. SHE LIVES IN THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND SHE'S RECENTLY LEARNED THROUGH MEDIA REPORTS ABOUT THE SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS FROM A MEADOWDALE ELEMENTARY TEACHER AND THE DISTRICT'S ABSOLUTE FAILURE TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY. THE FIRST AND ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS WITH THAT SITUATION WAS THAT THE PRINCIPAL DID NOT REPORT THE INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CPS, DESPITE MULTIPLE STAFF AND PARENTS EXPRESSING CONCERNS MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR THE TEACHER WAS EXHIBITING. HE HAD MANY CHANCES TO REPORT, AND HE FAILED EVERY SINGLE TIME. I SAW IN THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING THAT THE BOARD IS BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT DR. MINER AUTHORIZED FOR THIS PRINCIPAL STARTING JULY 1ST THROUGH JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. AND I AM HORRIFIED TO LEARN THAT DESPITE HIS MULTIPLE FAILURES, THE DISTRICT, SPECIFICALLY DR. MINER, AUTHORIZED A NEW CONTRACT FOR HIM. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE PRINCIPAL REPEATEDLY DID NOT REPORT THE CONCERNS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE BY THE TEACHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CPS, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW. HE TECHNICALLY BROKE THE LAW EVERY TIME HE DID NOT REPORT, AND WHEN I READ THE TIMELINE OF THE EVENTS IN THE MEDIA ARTICLES, I LEARNED THE FOLLOWING. THE FIRST CONCERNS WERE PRESENTED TO THE PRINCIPAL IN DECEMBER 2022 AND WERE DISMISSED. MULTIPLE MORE CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT BY MULTIPLE STAFF AND PARENTS THROUGHOUT 2023, AND MR. DAVIS DID NOT REPORT ANY OF IT. IN WINTER 2023. THE TEACHER ALLEGEDLY RAPED A STUDENT AND SHE DID NOT REPORT THAT ABUSE UNTIL 2025, WHICH IS VERY NORMAL WITH VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE. HAD HE DONE HIS JOB AND REPORTED FROM THE BEGINNING, OR ANY OTHER TIME, THAT WOULD HAVE SET IN MOTION A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT MAYBE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS CHILD FROM BEING RAPED, NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER VICTIMS, SPECIAL ED VICTIMS, CONTINUALLY MOLESTED. DESPITE ALL THIS, DR. MINER AUTHORIZED A CONTRACT FOR THIS PRINCIPAL FOR NEXT YEAR. CLEARLY, THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION HAS NO PLAN FOR RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY OR CHANGE. AT THIS MEETING, YOU AS BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE AND YOU MUST APPROVE OR NOT APPROVE HIS CONTRACT. PLEASE SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT AT LEAST SOMEONE IN THE DISTRICT CARES TO CHANGE, BECAUSE CLEARLY THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO DO THAT. YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST. YOU CANNOT ERASE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THOSE CHILDREN. BUT YOU CAN START TODAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I'M SENDING THIS EMAIL TO EVERY BOARD MEMBER, AND I IMPLORE YOU UNANIMOUSLY TO NOT APPROVE THE CONTRACT. NEXT UP IS CASSANDRA COLIE. HI, MY NAME IS CASSANDRA COLIE AND I LIVE IN LYNWOOD. MY CHILDREN WILL BE STARTING SECOND AND 4TH GRADE AT HILLTOP ELEMENTARY IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I'M PROUD TO WORK AS A PARAEDUCATOR IN THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT. I SUPPORT STUDENTS IN THE INTENSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM AT BRIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. BRIER HAS QUICKLY BECOME MY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR SCHOOL TO START. IT'S SO GREAT TO KNOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE ESSENTIAL WORK THAT PARAS DO. WE BELIEVE IN FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, AS WE KNOW, THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS NOT FULFILLING ITS PARAMOUNT DUTY. ACCORDING TO THE STATE'S OWN CONSTITUTION, THAT OF FUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING WORK TO REMIND OUR STATE OF THEIR PARAMOUNT DUTY. WE PARAEDUCATORS WILL ALSO CONTINUE REMINDING THEM THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB SO WE CAN DO OURS. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT ACROSS THE STATE, THERE'S A 26% ATTRITION RATE. I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL CONSIDER WHY THIS MIGHT BE, AND THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER HOW COMFORTABLE YOU ARE WITH THAT. THANK YOU. NEXT UP IS DONNA MORAN. [00:30:06] GOOD EVENING. I'M DONNA MORAN. I LIVE IN MOUNTLAKE TERRACE. I'M A PARAEDUCATOR AT ALDERWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER, AND I'M A FORMER SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAEDUCATOR, AND I'M THE SECRETARY OF OUR UNION CHAPTER. MY TOPIC IS CONCERNING THE PARAEDUCATOR CONTRACT. I WANT TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL OF THE RECENTLY NEGOTIATED 4 YEAR UNION CONTRACT WITH THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR OVER 550 PARAEDUCATORS. I WAS A MEMBER OF THE BARGAINING TEAM FOR MY CHAPTER. IT WAS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT MY FELLOW PARAEDUCATORS, AND ALL 6 OF US WORKED DILIGENTLY TO SECURE A FAIR FINANCIAL PACKAGE, HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE DELAYED RELEASE OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR, MY UNION WAS UNABLE TO KNOW WHEN SCHOOL WOULD START. THIS YEAR, SCHOOL STARTS BEFORE LABOR DAY. WE WERE UNABLE TO NEGOTIATE A PAID LABOR DAY HOLIDAY, UNLIKE EVERY OTHER UNION IN THE DISTRICT. IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE BOARD AND HR WILL QUICKLY COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING TO ENSURE THAT ALL PARAEDUCATORS ARE PAID FOR THIS HOLIDAY. AND MAY I NOTE THAT SINCE SCHOOL ENDED THIS YEAR ON JUNE 18TH, NO PARAEDUCATORS WERE PAID FOR A NEGOTIATED HOLIDAY OF JUNETEENTH, JUNE 19TH. THOSE FUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. MY UNION AND I WOULD LIKE THEM, USED TO HELP PAY FOR A PAID, NEGOTIATED LETTER OF AGREEMENT LABOR DAY HOLIDAY FOR SEPTEMBER OF 2026. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS OUR CONSENT AGENDA. [9. CONSENT AGENDA-7:40 pm] THIS IS THE GROUP OF ITEMS THAT WE CAN VOTE ON AND DISCUSS TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY. THERE ARE 12 ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA. 6 HAVE TO DO WITH PERSONNEL AND STAFF AGREEMENTS. ONE IS OUR MONTHLY BILLS AND VOUCHERS. ONE IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, THREE HAVE TO DO WITH SURPLUS OF TECHNOLOGY AND CURRICULUM MATERIALS, AND ONE IS A FIELD TRIP. DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA? I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. I SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I'M JUST EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SEE A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT WITH OUR PARAS. I WISH WE COULD DO MORE, BUT, YOU KNOW, GIVEN THE REALITIES OF THE SITUATION, I HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE A LIVING WITH THAT. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO SAY WE DO NOT TYPICALLY COMMENT ON SPECIFIC PERSONNEL CASES. HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STATE LAWS WHICH GOVERN A DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO TRANSFER A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO A SUBORDINATE POSITION OR TERMINATE THEIR EMPLOYMENT IF THEY HAVE HAD THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A PRINCIPAL. I'M GOING TO NAME TWO OF THE STATE LAWS, THE RCWS, AND I'LL SAY THEM SLOWLY FOR ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO LOOK THESE UP TO UNDERSTAND THE LIMITATIONS THAT ARE PUT ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. 1 IS RCW28A.405.230. THE OTHER ONE IS RCW28A.405.210. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA? HEARING NONE, 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 AGAINST, SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. WE HAVE ONE REPORT THIS EVENING. THAT'S THE BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT FROM JUNE OF 2026, [10. REPORTS-7:50 pm] BROUGHT TO US BY LYDIA SELLIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES. THANK YOU. THIS IS JUNE 2026. I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT A FEW THINGS ABOUT JUNE. SO ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT WE GLEAN FROM THIS REPORT IS THAT WE CAN TELL IF WE'RE GOING TO EXCEED OUR BUDGET. THE TRICK IS IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND THAT THEY DO PROJECT BUDGETS, WHICH ARE MULTI YEAR AND NOT THE ANNUAL LIKE THE REST OF THE FUNDS. SO AT TIMES THEY WILL LOOK LIKE THEY'RE ABOUT TO EXCEED THE BUDGET, BUT FOR INSTANCE, [00:35:08] ALL OF COLLEGE PLACE WILL WIND UP IN THE BUDGET, BUT IT CERTAINLY WON'T BE COMPLETED IN A NEAT 12 MONTHS. SO THOSE ENCUMBRANCES THAT ARE OUTSTANDING AFTER AUGUST 31ST WILL BE ROLLED INTO 26-27, AND WE WILL NOT EXCEED BUDGET AUTHORITY IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND. WE MADE OUR FINAL DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS. THOSE ARE DONE IN JUNE AND DECEMBER. ALSO, AS YOU KNOW, WE JUST RECENTLY REFINANCED OUR 2015 AND 2016 BOND SERIES. THOSE WILL CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 2ND. SO THEY'LL BE IN NEXT YEAR'S SET OF REPORTS. AND SO IT'S LIKE REFINANCING YOUR HOUSE. THE NEW PAYMENTS FOR THOSE 15 AND 16 SERIES WILL BE CONTAINED IN THE 2026 SERIES, ALONG WITH THE NEW BONDS. AND THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE SEPTEMBER REPORT. AND THEN I DID NOT NOTE ON THE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE FUND BECAUSE IT CAME KIND OF AFTER THIS WAS DUE, BUT YOU'LL SEE LATER THERE'S ON THE AGENDA IS A BUS PURCHASE REQUEST. I TALKED TO BEN AND IF WE WAIT TILL AFTER SEPTEMBER TO PLACE THE ORDER, WE'RE EXPECTING BUS PRICES TO GO UP 7% TO 10%. SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE PURCHASE ORDER IN FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. THE BUSSES WON'T BE RECEIVED AND PAID FOR UNTIL 26-27. SO IT WILL BE OUT OF THE 26-27 BUDGET. BUT WE WANTED TO GET THAT PRICE LOCKED IN BEFORE AUGUST 31ST. OKAY. YOU CAN SEE IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT BECAUSE THE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS ARE HIGHEST IN APRIL AND OCTOBER AND THEY JUST KIND OF TRICKLE IN THROUGH JULY AND AUGUST, SOME PAYMENTS THAT WERE IN ARREARS THAT WE ARE AT OVER 99% OF COLLECTIONS. SO AGAIN, THOSE ARE JUST SOME RESIDUAL PAYMENTS THAT ARE IN ARREARS. SO WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR COLLECTIONS. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING UNUSUAL TO REPORT ON THIS SLIDE NOR ON THIS SLIDE. AND AGAIN WE HAVE HEARD THAT IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS, ROUGHLY 40 MUNICIPALITIES. SO OTHER GOVERNMENTS OUTSIDE OF JUST SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN DOWNGRADED BY MOODY'S OR STANDARD AND POOR'S RATING AGENCIES, AND WE WERE ABLE TO HOLD OUR PREVIOUS RATING FOR OUR BOND SALE. AND A LOT OF IT WAS BECAUSE WE IMPROVED OUR FINANCIAL POSITION OVER 2024 WHEN WE LAST HAD A RATING. AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME THE ENROLLMENT REPORT WILL CHANGE BECAUSE JULY AND AUGUST, WE DON'T HAVE MONTHLY REPORT REQUIREMENTS. THERE'S JUST A FEW LITTLE ADJUSTMENTS AND CLEANUPS THAT ARE MADE BY AUGUST 31ST. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP THAT HELPED US MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON SOLID FINANCIAL GROUND, WHICH HELPS US OUT EVEN MORE. SO THANK YOU. YEAH. JUST, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT OUR BOND RATING STAYED UP WHEN IT'S GOING DOWN IN MANY OTHER PLACES. AND I BELIEVE YOU DESCRIBE THE. OR DR. MINER DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE TO THE BOND SALE WAS PRETTY ENTHUSIASTIC AMONGST BUYERS. LIKE WE COULD HAVE SOLD MORE THAN WE EVEN HAD AVAILABLE, RIGHT? THAT WAS A GOOD DAY. SO WE'RE SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY WITH THAT BECAUSE OF OUR DECISION TO REFINANCE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF OUR PRUDENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT. SO I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT AS WELL. AND THANK YOU AND THE WHOLE TEAM, BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE BOND SALE WAS EXTREMELY FAVORABLE TO OUR TAXPAYERS, [00:40:05] WHICH WILL HELP US TREMENDOUSLY IN THE DISTRICT. AND PART OF THAT IS DUE TO THE BOND RATING. AND PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE VERY STABLE AND CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP THAT IS SHOWN IN ALL OF OUR BUDGETING AND FINANCE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND A LOT OF OTHER FACTORS THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND, BUT I KNOW YOU AND THEY DO PARTLY THE TIMING BUT SAVING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR OUR TAXPAYERS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF CONTINUING TO ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT AS WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO KEEP OUR DISTRICT STRONG AND THE FACILITIES DONE WELL AS WELL. THANK YOU. AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW IF DIRECTOR CHASE IS ON TO SAY ANYTHING, BUT I KNOW SHE'S GOING TO AGREE WITH US ON THAT. NEXT IS NEW BUSINESS. SO WE'RE SKIPPING ITEM 11.1. [11. NEW BUSINESS- 8:10 pm] WE REMOVED THAT AND WE'LL HAVE THAT ON PROBABLY THE NEXT MEETING I PRESUME. AND THEN FOR 11.2, WE HAVE A SINGLE READING TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT BUSSES AS REFERRED TO EARLIER. THE TIMING OF WHICH WE WANT TO GET THE LOWER PRICE. DO I HEAR A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT BUSSES? I MOVE TO APPROVE THIS PURCHASE. I'LL SECOND. I'VE HEARD A MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SOUNDS LIKE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE HERE. IT IS. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE STATE WOULD SUPPORT US IN BUYING ELECTRIC BUSSES, BUT GIVEN THAT THEY DON'T, AND WE NEED THESE, I THINK GETTING THE BEST PRICE THAT WE CAN RIGHT NOW AND DOING IT WHILE WE HAVE TO IS GREAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT BUSSES, PLEASE INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. AYE. AYE. ANY NAYS? ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT BUSSES IS APPROVED. AND NEXT WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION. SO AS THE LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE, I ATTENDED 2 MEETINGS OF WASDA'S [12. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES] ADVOCACY ACTION NETWORK. ONE IN JULY AND ONE IN AUGUST. IN JULY WE HEARD FROM THE WASA PERSON ABOUT THEIR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THIS YEAR. THEIR BIG THREE ARE THE MSOC, THE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND OPERATING COSTS, WHICH INCLUDES THE INSURANCE AND TRANSPORTATION FUEL AS THEIR 1STONE. THEIR 2ND ONE IS SPECIAL ED, AND THE 3RD ONE IS SUBS. THE WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF 10 DAYS OF PAID LEAVE TO OUR STAFF MEMBERS, BUT THE STATE ONLY FUNDS 4. SO THAT'S THEIR BIG 3. THEY HAD SPOKEN TO JUNE ROBINSON WHO IS THE LEGISLATOR WHO HELPS WRITE THE BUDGET, 1 OF THE BUDGET WRITERS AND SHE SAID, IF YOU THOUGHT LAST YEAR WAS BAD, THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE EVEN WORSE. SO THE FORECAST IS THAT THE MSOC, COST WILL INCREASE. REVENUE FOR THE STATE WILL BE DOWN. IT'S UNSUSTAINABLE. AND ALL SECTORS ARE GOING TO BE ON DEFENSE. SO WE'LL BE COMPETING WITH ALL THE OTHER PIECES OF STATE GOVERNMENT. OTHER THINGS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT. SO IT WAS SUGGESTED TO KEEP ADVOCACY GROUNDED IN WHAT STUDENTS ACTUALLY NEED. SO WHERE'S THE GOVERNOR ON THIS? HE'S APPARENTLY THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF ANY COMMITMENTS HE'S MADE TO K-12 BEYOND THE FREE MEALS, CELL PHONE POLICY AND FAFSA, THE FINANCIAL AID REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FILL OUT THE FINANCIAL AID, EITHER THE FAFSA OR THE STATE VERSION OF THAT. SO HE DOESN'T SEEM INTERESTED IN LIKE PROTECTING EDUCATION, K-12 EDUCATION MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE OR PRIORITIZING IT. THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE INTERESTING BECAUSE IT WILL BE A LONG SESSION, THERE WILL BE NEW LEGISLATORS. AND THERE'S A BIG TAX VOTE IN NOVEMBER AS WELL ON THE SO-CALLED MILLIONAIRES TAX, ON THE PEOPLE EARNING OVER $1 MILLION IN A YEAR. OSPI IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE PUSHING PUTTING FORWARD LEGISLATION FOR THE FAFSA REQUIREMENT AS WELL. [00:45:08] THEY ALSO WANT A CIVICS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY CREDIT TO BE REQUIRED IN HIGH SCHOOL. THE CONNECTED TO THAT IS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S FUTURE READY. DRAFT PROPOSAL IS SEEMS LIKE IT'S DONE. AND NOW THEY'RE ABOUT TO MOVE TO THE STAGE OF MAKING THOSE INTO LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. SO IF YOU LOOK AT SBE, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S WEBSITE IS SBE.WA.GOV. THEY DO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT FORM. SO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND GIVE THEM ANY COMMENTS THERE'S TIME TO STILL INFLUENCE THE SHAPE OF THOSE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS. SO THAT WAS ALL THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL IN JULY. AND THEN IN AUGUST, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE LEVY LEVY, EQUALIZATION ASSISTANCE. WE'RE ONE OF 137 DISTRICTS IN THE STATE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT. SO IT'S PART OF SOMETHING THAT OTHER DISTRICTS DEPEND ON WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL LEVIES. SO IT IS AN EQUITY ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT'S NOT PART OF PUBLIC NOT PART OF BASIC EDUCATION IN THE DEFINITIONS. SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CUT. AND THAT WAS PROBABLY WHY IT WAS CUT. ONE OF THE THINGS CUT THIS PAST YEAR. THE OTHER THING COMING WITH THE LEGISLATURE RELATED TO THAT IS REGIONALIZATION, WHICH IS LIKE A COST OF LIVING BASED ON THE COST OF HOUSING IN DISTRICTS. SO IT'S EITHER PLUS 6%, 12% OR 18% CURRENTLY. AND THAT IS GETS A REBASE EVERY 4 YEARS, 2027 IS REBASE YEAR. SO BY NOVEMBER THEY SHOULD BE, THEY SHOULD HAVE THE DATA THAT THEY WILL. THEN THE LEGISLATURE WILL THEN REVIEW AND REVISE THE REGIONALIZATION IF NECESSARY. THERE'S THOUGHT IS THAT THE PEOPLE PRESENTING THIS WERE LIKE, WELL, UNLESS IT SAVES THEM MONEY, THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO THINK IT'S NECESSARY. SO THERE MAY NOT BE ANY REBASING GOING ON, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE. CURRENTLY WE ARE SORRY. ARE WE CURRENTLY AT THE 18? YES WE ARE. OKAY. BECAUSE I KNOW TO START WITH, WHEN THEY FIRST DID A REGIONALIZATION FACTOR, WE WERE NOT AT THE LEVEL THAT ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS WERE, AND THAT LOST US ABOUT $10 MILLION OVER THE SPACE OF A FEW YEARS. YEAH, BUT THAT'S NOW WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, AS WE SAY. RIGHT. AND SO HOPEFULLY SO IF THEY DON'T REBASE, WE'RE OKAY. BUT OTHER PEOPLE AREN'T NECESSARILY. YOU KNOW. UNLESS. YOU KNOW, THE PUGET SOUND REGION RIGHT HERE. YEAH. SO I'M ASSUMING IT WOULD PROBABLY CONTINUE, BUT. OKAY. THANKS. IT'S PARTIALLY BASED. PART OF IT IS AFFECTED BY WHAT THE NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS RATE IS AS WELL. SO THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK AT LIKE, IS THERE A SCHEME WHERE THEY CAN MAKE IT SO IT'S NOT MORE THAN. SO THEY ADD MORE MORE LEVELS BESIDES 6, 12 AND 18. PUT MORE INTERMEDIATE ONES AND THEN MAKE IT SO THAT YOUR ADJACENT DISTRICTS WOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 2% OFF OR OR 4% OFF OR SOMETHING. BUT THAT HASN'T AGAIN, UNLESS IT'S GOING TO SAVE THEM MONEY, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GO THERE. THE LAST THING, WHICH IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING ACTUALLY, IS THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR WASDA IS NEXT MONTH. AND TOMORROW IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE RELEASE OF THE ALL 74 PLATFORM REVISION PROPOSALS. SO I AND AND OR NANCY WILL BE CASTING A VOTE ON BEHALF OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD FOR THESE POSITIONS. SO IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU WOULD TAKE A LOOK THROUGH THEM, SEE IF THERE ARE ANY IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU WANT US TO. YOU KNOW, WE COULD DO IT JUST LIKE LOOK AT THE WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IS. AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING WHERE YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE GOING AGAINST THEIR RECOMMENDATION LET US KNOW THAT SO THAT WE CAN VOTE ACCORDINGLY. [00:50:09] SO THAT'S OTHER THAN THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS GOING ON. WE'VE GOT CANDIDATES, WE HAVE 2 NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 32ND DANICA NOBLE AND KEITH SCULLY. AND WE HAVE THE OTHER INCUMBENTS IN OUR OTHER 3 DISTRICTS ALL WENT THROUGH TO THE TO THE FINALS IN NOVEMBER. SO MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS, HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE, SEE WHAT THEIR OPPONENTS HAVE TO SAY AS WELL. WOULD YOU LIKE AT THE NEXT AGENDA DURING THE ELECTION? BECAUSE NOW WE'RE KIND OF BACK ON OUR CADENCE WHERE WE HAVE LUNCH MEETINGS EVERY TIME I CAN. WOULD YOU LIKE TO JUST AT THE NEXT MEETING, PLAN TO GO AHEAD AND WE DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH ALL 74, BUT YOU COULD AT LEAST ASK PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT THEY VARY FROM THE ALLEGED COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION. OKAY. AND YOU COULD DISCUSS THOSE BECAUSE I, I THINK IT WOULDN'T BE A GOOD IDEA TO GO AGAINST IT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF ONE PERSON'S VIEW. IT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU'D WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT. YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD PLAN. SO YOU'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE YOU MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE. SO I CAN READ THEN I CAN FORWARD YOU A REMINDER TO. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. BE PREPARED AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. THAT WAS A GREAT REPORT, TOM. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. FOR THE MILLIONAIRES TAX, THE TAX ON PEOPLE WHO EARN OVER $1 MILLION IN A YEAR. IF THAT'S APPROVED IN NOVEMBER, THAT MONEY WOULDN'T START BEING GENERATED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR. OR I THINK IT'S 2029. 2029. MAYBE. OUCH. OKAY. THAT'S. YEAH, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT DOWN THE ROAD. YEAH. WHEN THEY APPROVED IT. BECAUSE THAT. I KNOW. IF IT GETS REPEALED OR OVERTURNED BY THE COURTS. BUT THAT'S WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN HIS SUPPORT. YEAH. IS TO USE THAT MONEY FOR K-12 EDUCATION. SO I WAS HOPING IT WOULD BE SOONER THAN THAT. YEAH. OKAY. OTHER DISCUSSION. HAWK. DIRECTOR CRAMER. SORRY. AND I DON'T. DO WE NOT HAVE DIRECTOR CHASE? SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, BUT HER NOT COMMUNICATING WITH US COMMUNICATE. OKAY. OKAY. SO KEEP US APPRIZED. AND WE ALSO THERE. MY FEELING IS THE 3 PRIORITIES THAT HAS COME UP WITH ARE VERY DECENT. THEY'RE ALL FOCUSED ON FUNDING. AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE FROM THEM IS THE FOCUS ON FUNDING INSTEAD OF A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE IMPORTANT. 1 CONCERN I HAVE FROM SOME OF THE THINGS BEING TALKED ABOUT FROM THE VARIOUS STATE BOARD AND WHATEVER, IS A BUNCH MORE UNFUNDED MANDATES. SO THEY THINK IT'S A SIMPLE THING TO SAY, OH, REQUIRE THIS AND REQUIRE THAT. WELL, WHEN THEY REQUIRE IT, THAT MEANS WE NEED TO GET PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS ON THAT. WE NEED TO RETHINK CURRICULUM. WE THERE'S WHATEVER IT HAPPENS TO BE IS COST US MONEY, EVEN THOUGH WE KEEP SAYING TO THEM, DON'T DO THINGS WITHOUT GIVING US MONEY TO SUPPORT IT. THEY'RE NOT EVEN ASKING, AM I RIGHT? HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST THE DISTRICT FOR THEM TO ADD THIS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT? WE DON'T EVEN GET PAID NOW TO COVER TEACHERS TIME FOR 24 CREDITS, WHICH IS WHAT ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE REQUIRED TO GET. SO THAT'S VERY FRUSTRATING THAT THEY'RE NOT. SO I THINK AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE, THAT WE WILL BE HAVING WITH EACH OF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS IS TO CONTINUALLY REMIND THEM THAT EVERY ONE OF THESE THINGS IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE. IF THEY DON'T ADD THAT KIND OF BUDGETARY PIECE TO IT, AND THEY JUST SHOULDN'T BE ASKING US, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PUTTING MORE ON OUR PLATE WITHOUT PUTTING THE MONEY THERE TO HELP SUPPORT IT. AND TO YOUR POINT, SOMETIMES IT'S AS MUCH ABOUT WHAT WE ASK THEM NOT TO DO AS WHAT WE ASK THEM TO DO. NOT ONLY IS THE IMPLICATION STILL AROUND AN ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT. THIS I THINK WE NEED TO HELP THE LEGISLATORS UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF SOME OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMING. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS WOULD MEAN FAR FEWER COMPLETERS IN OUR CTE COURSES. [00:55:05] IF STUDENTS COULD TAKE AS MANY YEARS, FEWER YEARS OF WORLD LANGUAGE. IT HAS STAFFING IMPLICATIONS BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE TEACHING UPPER LEVEL OF SOME SUBJECT AREA WHERE STUDENTS ARE NOW NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A 4TH YEAR OF THAT THREAD, MAY NOT BE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CAN TEACH FINANCIAL LITERACY. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS. NOT THAT ANYONE THINKS THAT KIDS GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL BEING FINANCIALLY LITERATE IS A BAD IDEA, BUT MAKING A SWEEPING REQUIREMENT OF A COURSE IS GOING TO HAVE HUGE IMPLICATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR SYSTEM. THE OTHER THING I JUST WANTED TO ADD, IN ADDITION TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE SUBSTITUTES, IT IS TRUE THAT THEY REIMBURSE US FOR 4 DAYS. THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE US FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS THAT WE PAY FOR SUBSTITUTES. THEY REIMBURSE US FOR A STATE RATE WHICH IS LOWER THAN WE PAY FOR SUBS, AND THEY DO NOT REIMBURSE US FOR CLASSIFIED STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE ABSENT. SO WE PAY TO HAVE THE CRITICAL STAFF MEMBERS, CUSTODIANS, PARAEDUCATORS OTHERS WHO ARE CLASSIFIED STAFF SO THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR SCHOOLS RUNNING AND KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE. WE DO NOT GET ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE STATE FROM THE STATE, FOR THOSE STAFF MEMBERS WHO ALSO HAVE SICK LEAVE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY WHEN THEY NEED TO. AND THOSE ARE THOSE ARE NOT SMALL NUMBERS IN OUR DISTRICT. THOSE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SHORTFALL, WHICH IF THEY PAID US FOR THAT, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT OTHER THINGS. BUT AND THERE ARE NUMBERS THAT WE CAN EASILY QUANTIFY, LIKE WE CAN CALCULATE WHAT THE SHORTFALL IS AND WE CAN SHARE THAT. AND TOM AND I WILL BE WORKING TOMORROW TO COME UP WITH A DRAFT OF LEDGE PRIORITIES FOR THE BOARD THIS YEAR. AND THOSE ARE CERTAINLY NUMBERS I CAN SEEK OUT. THOSE ARE IMPORTANT. I THINK 1 OF THE OTHER THINGS, THIS IDEA TO POTENTIALLY MAKE FILLING OUT A FAFSA A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION, AM I RIGHT? I GREW UP IN A FAMILY WHERE MY FATHER SIMPLY FELT HE WOULD NEVER DISCLOSE OUR INCOME OR LACK OF IT. AND SO WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE, HE REFUSED. WE WOULD HAVE QUALIFIED, BUT HE REFUSED TO FILL OUT ANY OF THOSE FORMS. AND I REALIZED THAT WAS MAYBE MORE OLD SCHOOL THAN SOME PARENTS ARE, BUT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO FOR WHOM THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT. SO TO MAKE THAT A REQUIREMENT FOR A STUDENT FOR GRADUATION SEEMS TO ME TO BE JUST MISPLACED IN TERMS, I MEAN, WE SHOULD PROVIDE EVERY BIT OF SUPPORT THAT WE CAN FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO NEEDS HELP AND PARENT WHO NEEDS HELP FILLING OUT FAFSA. BUT TO REQUIRE PARENTS TO FILL THAT OUT IS, I THINK, UNACCEPTABLE. I THINK YOU KNOW, UNTIL WE SEE THE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION, WE DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT HAVING AN OPT OUT FOR THAT. SO THERE COULD BE AN AFFIRMATIVE IF PARENTS COULD TAKE AN AFFIRMATIVE ROLE IN SAYING, I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. I DON'T WANT MY STUDENT TO DO THAT. KID'S GRADUATION LIST OF THINGS, WHO HAS TO GO TO THE PARENTS AND SAY, PLEASE FILL THIS OUT AND LET'S INTERPRET IT FOR YOU AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THIS. OUR STAFF. RIGHT. IT'S STILL A COST. IT'S A COST ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. ANYWAY, I SHOULD GO. THAT'S. I SHOULD GO ON AND MAKE THAT COMMENT OUR STATE DOES HAVE ONE OF THE LOWER RATES OF FILLING OUT THE FAFSA. YEAH. NO. SO IT'S I CAN SEE HOW THEY'RE TRYING WHY THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. BUT ANYWAY, IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF BACKGROUND YOU COME FROM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND NOW WE'RE REALLY GETTING INTO THE THE FALL. NO, WE'RE IN AND IT'LL BE IT'LL BE BUSY. ONE THING WE WILL BE DOING IS MEETING WITH TOM AND I AND DR. MINER AND ANDY NOFZIGER FROM EEA WHEN SHE'S AVAILABLE WILL BE MEETING AS A TEAM, WHICH WE DO EVERY YEAR WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE LEGISLATORS WHO SERVE OUR DISTRICT, FOR WHICH WE HAVE 9 AND IT'S A, WE DO IT 1 ON 1, USUALLY ON ZOOM. BUT IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAL WAY TO NOT ONLY KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM, BUT LET THEM KNOW THE KINDS OF THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, AND TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE'RE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME TO LET THEM KNOW FISCAL IMPACTS ON WHAT WE DO ON ANY IDEAS THEY HAVE, JUST CHECK IN WITH US BEFORE VOTING FOR IT OR SOMETHING. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE. THOSE ARE ALWAYS VERY INTERESTING. OKAY. OKAY. SO NEXT WE HAVE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. [13. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS] [01:00:04] DIRECTOR CRAMER. YOU WANT TO START? YEAH. THANK YOU. WELL, I HAVE A MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER WHO'S STILL AT HOME IS STARTING TO GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ATTENDING LYNNWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AS A FRESHMAN. SHE AND HER PEERS ARE ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHERE THEY GET TO GO TO THE NEW CAMPUS AND CHECK OUT THE CLASSROOMS, THINGS LIKE THAT. AND SHE'S ALREADY MADE PLANS, WITH 8 TO 15 OF HER FRIENDS TO COME OVER TO OUR PLACE AFTERWARD TO MAKE OUT SOME KIND OF BOXES FOR OTHER KIDS THAT ARE COMING IN. AND ANYWAY, IT'S JUST IT'S AN EXCITING TIME FOR KIDS. AND IF YOU GO DOWN TO MARTHA LAKE ANY DAY AFTER 1:00 OR SO, YOU'LL SEE THE DOCK FILLED WITH TEENAGERS JUMPING OFF AND HAVING A BLAST. AND YOU TALK TO ANY ONE OF THEM AND THEY THEY, THEY ARE EXCITED TO COME BACK. THEY'RE NOT EXCITED TO GIVE UP SUMMER SO FAST. BUT WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS AND FALL SPORTS AND THE FALL OFFERINGS OF ALL THE SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF THEATER AND THE ARTS, IT'S AN EXCITING TIME. AND JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE THAT THAT EXCITEMENT IS EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST SHARED WITH PEREZ, BUT ALSO WITH TEACHERS WHO ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO THE CLASSROOMS, MY WIFE INCLUDED. THANK YOU. DIRECTOR GARRARD. YEAH. WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO? WELL, THAT WAS FAST. WELL, I WAS PLEASED TO GO OUT AND EMPLOY MY SIGN WAVING ABILITY WITH THE SNO-ISLE LIBRARIES GET THEM TO PASS THEIR WE PASSED THE LEVY LIFT FOR THEM. THEY'RE IMPORTANT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES IN TERMS OF THE RESOURCES THEY PROVIDE AND SUPPORT THAT'S PRESENT. IN FACT, I'VE BEEN THERE A LOT THIS SUMMER, BORROWING BOOKS, MORE THINGS TO READ. GOT TO GO TO A COUPLE OF JAZZ PERFORMANCES DOWN ON THE WATERFRONT. EDMONDS-WOODWAY WAS 1 DAY MOLLY TERRACE WAS THE NEXT DAY. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER STUDENTS SITTING IN FROM OTHER SCHOOLS AS WELL. SO IT'S A FUN GROUP DOWN THERE OUTSIDE OF ANTHONY'S. GOT TO GO SEE SOMETHING ROTTEN AT THE EDMONDS HEIGHTS SUMMER STOCK, SUMMER PERFORMANCE, TEEN PERFORMANCE. AND ALSO WENT TO A FORUM AT THE LYNNWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER FROM COCOON HOUSE. SO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW ABOUT EDUCATION, THE INTERSECTION OF EDUCATION AND STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW ABOUT THAT. YOU KNOW, HOW IT CAN BE DIFFICULT IF YOU'RE A SENIOR AND YOU TURN 18 IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STAY IN THE SAME HOUSING THAT YOU WERE IN BECAUSE YOU'RE NO LONGER A, A MINOR AND YOU BECOME AN ADULT AND YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. AND THAT CAN BE REALLY DISRUPTIVE TO TO THEIR EXPERIENCE. SO THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING. AND I HAVE SOME PEOPLE NOW THAT I KNOW I COULD GO AND TALK TO IF I NEED TO HAVE MORE INSIGHT INTO THE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THOSE STUDENTS. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY. I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY HAS HAD A GOOD SUMMER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND DOING THINGS THAT HELP YOU RELAX, PARTICULARLY OUR STAFF WHO NEED THAT TIME. AND I KNOW THAT DISTRICT LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF PREPARATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SHARING WITH US SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT YOU GUYS DID. AND WE ARE PLANNING OUR RETREAT AS A BOARD, WHICH WE DO EVERY YEAR TO PLAN TO REVIEW OUR, OUR GOALS AND OUR NORMS AND PROTOCOLS AS A BOARD, AND TO THINK ABOUT OUR GOALS AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND PLAN OUT ALL OF OUR DATA MONITORING FOR THE SYSTEM FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND JUST A LOT OF GOOD PLANNING GOING ON, ALL IN BENEFIT OF OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. SO ANYWAY IT'S, WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET, BUT MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT'S LEFT OF THE SUMMER. JUST A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THE WORD RETREAT. AND I BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE RETREAT STANDS FOR WHAT A REALLY LONG MEETING. [01:05:02] WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAWAII. WE'RE NOT GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A CLASSROOM OVER AT THE NEW OAK HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BUT WILL BE IN A CLASSROOM FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. YEAH. AND WE DON'T GET FED. SO I KNOW IT'S VERY SAD. DR. MINER. I WELL, NOW I FEEL BAD ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD THAT WAS AT THIS EVENT, BUT WE DID HAVE OUR BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT THE OTHER NIGHT. IT WAS TREMENDOUS. I DON'T HAVE THE FINAL NUMBERS OF HOW MANY BACKPACKS WERE GIVEN OUT, BECAUSE THAT ACTUALLY INVOLVES A LITTLE BIT OF MANUAL COUNTING TOWARD THE END. I DO KNOW THAT MORE THAN 800 GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES WERE SERVED, AS WELL AS MANY, MANY HOT DOGS. IT WAS JUST IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE THE JOY OF THAT EVENT AND HOW HAPPY FAMILIES ARE. AND JUST HOW EXCITED THE KIDS ARE TO BE GETTING BACK TO SCHOOL. I MET A LOT OF KINDERGARTNERS. I TALKED TO SOME STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR SCHOOL, OAK HEIGHTS. THEY'VE HAD A CHANCE TO GO IN IT. THEY WERE THRILLED. SO I'M JUST A LOT OF GREAT INTERACTIONS WITH OUR FAMILIES LAST WEEK. AND THEN I DID JUST WANT TO ADD THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY ISSUE CAME TO MY ATTENTION EARLIER THIS WEEK. AND IT IS OUR INTENT TO PAY FOR THAT HOLIDAY. WE JUST HAVE TO DO THE FINAL CALCULATIONS AND GET THAT INTO PAYROLL, ETC. SOMEONE IN HR COULD PROBABLY GIVE THEM MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. BUT I HAVE SEEN WORD THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT FIGURED OUT. KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE JUNETEENTH? I BELIEVE THAT THE, AND I, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE HOLIDAYS YOU GET THE HOLIDAYS THAT FALL WITHIN YOUR WORK YEAR. SO IF WE GOT OUT BEFORE THEN, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THAT. I SEE NODS THEY PROBABLY KNOW THEIR CONTRACT BETTER THAN I DO, BUT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THEY'RE STARTING BEFORE LABOR DAY. LABOR DAY WOULD BE INCLUDED. AND JUST A I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY WAS REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE STARTING BEFORE LABOR DAY, EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW IT AND WE'RE READY. SO THANK YOU. OKAY. EXCELLENT. THIS REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ADJOURNED. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.