001[Music] I don't know if there's anything in there about time. So just as a heads up, whatever they have settled with on my email account today and then for tomorrow, I'm now actually kicked out too. So I don't have any access to my so um but uh I have a chat with uh yes tomorrow at 1:30 2:00 um so it should only be minimal time I am locked out. Yeah, like >> I don't but uh it should it should be like a day that I don't have access to. >> Yeah. >> I will now call to order the September 2nd, 2025 special school board meeting of the Stanford School Board of Directors. All four of our directors are present. Director Shyber, King, Evans, and Murray. Would you please stand for the flag? >> I pledge
002algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You have the agenda before you for the September 2nd, 2025 special school board meeting. Are there any changes to the agenda? Is there a motion to approve the agenda for the September 2, 2025 special school board meeting as written? >> So moved by Director King. >> Seconded by Director Evans. All those in favor say I. I. >> All oppose say no. that passes state. The purpose of tonight's meeting is to interview candidates for the vacant seat, evaluate the qualifications, and take a vote on the appointment of a candidate to fill the vacant board position. We have two candidates to interview for the board director district 4
003position. We have a list of questions to ask both of the candidates. We have allowed it up to 45 minutes per candidate. Once the interviews have concluded, the board will move into executive session. review the candidate qualifications for appointment to the effective elective office of the director district 4 position. Superintendent Oenell will assist in bringing the candidates down. And our first candidate tonight will be Michael Olsen. So, and also if you haven't got one already, we value your input. So, there is a feedback form back there if you'd like to grab one of those and fill that out as we go along. We would like this information to take with us as we consider the qualifications for the candidates. So, your input is valued as always. Okay. one side >> both on the same >>
004and there's the candidate is a fifth or director district four because and areas of opportunities for this candidate and then at the bottom it says my preferred candidate is check if they would like [Music] That's Sure. [Music] >> No. Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I'm Al Shriber, president of the board, director, Steve King, Miranda Evans, and Charlotte Murphy. Of course, you know, our superintendent >> and thanks for having me. >> Thanks for being here. >> Well, we have a series of questions that we will ask each candidate. And so, the first question will come from director. and please explain how your experience experience is relevant to this position. >> Okay. Well, um as my letter of interest and my resume probably showed, I've got um close to 40 years in public education. Most of that in
005an administrative capacity, most of which was in a central office capacity. So, had the opportunity to observe some real strong superintendent work with their boards of director to help establish uh vision and direction for a school district to support students, to support staff, and to integrate with the community. Um, and so all of those experiences um really lead me to have this interest. Um I believe that uh the board's direction is vital and and having a role of policy governance where each board member and the board as a whole understands the the analogy that I've heard is you're at 30,000 ft principles at the superintendent at you know really ground level up and down teachers are at ground level and students are at ground level and so the importance of understanding that the role of
006the board member is to stay at that place and to offer guidance, suggestions um never direction um other than as a case group and that direction goes to the superintendent, not to any staff or student and not to any situation or things. So I believe that's part of it. Um my other background is um people in this room who like notice their faces. I came in I was their principal for a few years. My focus has always been on a strong teaching learning component because the core business of schools is student learning and everything that goes on in a system is must be intentional to support that. Um so the the creation of of of policies to support teachers to provide uh appropriate access to curriculum and then materials and opportunities to assess student learning
007on a formative basis so that there's a real time understanding of where students are as learners. Um as a board to recognize that sometimes some schools and our students need more support than others. So from an equity perspective um you are directing resources appropriately to make that happen. Um and let's see and then uh I also had opportunity um under uh Dr. Schumate as we were entering into the great recession and we were needing to make severe reductions to our district budget. I had the opportunity to be a both a principal at Porsches and Middle School and um assistant screen of operations. So I had the opportunity to get a flavor of and as a dean would would told me at the time was when if and when you want to be a superintendent having
008knowledge of both sides of the house is critically important. So, I oversaw technology, food service, um terminated a contract with an expensive uh company, Chartwells. Um worked with our uh transportation director to tighten up um some routes, but most especially emergency routes. Um we were we were having some issues with being able to access have students access um appropriate stops that were safe. And then and and anyway I don't want to get into too much detail but having that opportunity um and so th those those re experiences give me that opportunity to sit in a position as a board member to provide guidance to board your board members superintendent um and be receptive ears to the community that I represent. >> Thank you and thank you for the answers you gave to the questions there
009for your resume you provided. Next question we have is would you please describe your experience serving as a member of a board or some kind of similar organization or experience? >> Uh a couple of things. Um I'm a member of our saviors within church and I've had an opportunity there to be serve on their council and role vice president um and president on three different occasions. um and that the role of a a church council is similar yet dissimilar from that of a board of directors of the school district. However, um in that in that role, the the guidance still existed then was to lead help give guidance to the the lead pastor to help set direction for the church as a congregation as a body of worshippers um and and um and to move
010in that direction. Also to serve in other capacities um long range planning committee member facilitating that. Um, while this isn't necessarily a wasn't a board opportunity, when Dr. Shunick came in to the district, we were having conversation early in July, early in her tenure, and one of the things she asked me, she said, "Hey, could you help me with uh our strategic planning process?" Well, what that meant was, "Mike, could you lead this?" Um, so I I learned from Dr. Shoemade that sometimes helping me meant taking on responsibility. So in that regard, it was then marshalling uh community members and administrators and teaching staff to look at who we were as a system and where we wanted to go as a system and set some long-term 5 to 10 year lofty goals. Um and and
011direction um and I actually had opportunity to do that twice uh with Dr. Schmid. Um, see what else? The only other, um, when I was assistant superintendent of operations, I had the opportunity to, um, serve as a district representative to YMCA's property selection committee. And um in that role, it was really to have some knowledge that I learned um working with our maintenance uh supervisor at the time about some of the geological features of downtown Stanwood and and why that those attributes while strong in some consideration as being a focal point and a and a magnet for a neighborhood. Um the fact that it was underwater caused and the city wanted to give us um some land for hardly anything near Heritage Park. We were able to bring in the after my insistence that it
012was not a smart idea. Um we brought in the wise regional property person who said, "Yeah, you could buy it for a dollar. It's going to cost you close to $10 million to establish it just to be able to build on it. if you want a pool add five million more to that. So you know in that role it was really it was not decision-m necessarily but it was guidance and and support and we why ultimately ended up in the position of the other I didn't guide I was by then um I was no longer assistant superintendent operations I was actually assistant superintendent teaching learning in a different school district um north of here >> explain how you view the role of a school board director Um as I mentioned earlier policy governance in that
01310,000 foot level it's it's to be knowledgeable about the section 1000s what is the direction the policy the procedures for a board to act as a as a unit and for individual board members to act as individual board members to know that that those 1000s really cleanly and clearly. um to understand that your primary responsibility is to ensure that Dr. well nearly Dr. Well, on his way um has the the resources to support staff and students to um have a thriving environment and so that the elements the four pillars of the strategic plan are able to be put into play. Um to be uh visible in the community at at school events. uh to be an ear in the community to to find out what um concerns um successes um and and um perceived barriers
014to this the system as a whole where they're moving. um how to then also know the 2000s through 7,000s, how each of those series of policies has an impact on the work of teachers, staff members, um and and also how in the 4,000s you're asking the community for collaboration and input and and support. Um so really understanding that and then and then knowing that you have a set of lanes that as a individual you need to stay within and then as a board you need to stay within. And so um that director position is integral and important to to ensure support and to ensure guidance and and at times to you know sometimes in in the in the session with with superintendent raise concerns regarding um incidents or events or um personalities that are creating
015conflict. and doing that in that that closed session and bringing it to do to Ryan Ovenel for him to sit with his cabinet to come up with solutions. Um if he's if he asks to give suggestions but not to give direction because that we hire Brian to run the district. Board members are typically elected to represent the constituency and to act as that voice of reason and act as that guide for where as a system we want to go and what the needs of the community are, the needs of students are, needs of staff are, and ensure that those needs are are met in in a manner that all students are able to graduate with. I'll use a term we use up north, knowledge and skills. I know understanding in an inclusive manner that they
016are able to to pursue a life of their passion and interests. >> Thank you. Um I see you've seen them, but just because the question I'm going to answer ask you is two parts. So I just wanted to remind you that you do have the questions in front of you in case you forget what the original question was. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Uh it says, "Our district promise states that every student is empowered to learn in an inclusive setting and is prepared for the future of their choice. How would you work to fulfill this promise as a director?" >> Well, first of all, the the the promise is a is a solid one. Um because students are coming to the schools from a variety of experiences, backgrounds um and um they have a set
017of interests, set of aptitudes and attitudes and the the role of the the board is to ensure that bus drivers, food service workers, custodians, paras, teachers and principles act in concert to know that about that student and provide the kinds of of tools and resources that that student needs to have success. And the role of the board director is not to know that intimately for each student. That's the role of the staff. The role of the board member is to ensure that that is the context and the culture that's that's extent throughout the system and that every every staff member um knows in teaching and learning. It's very clear that the best way to to reach a student is to know who they are as an individual to know what they bring with them into
018the classroom to use that knowledge as as a tool to to motivate to entice to encourage. And when I was at operations, um, assistant scrimmed working with bus drivers to help them recognize that their face is the first face a student sees as they get on a bus and the last face they see as they get off. And that attitude for starting the day and that attitude for ending the day oftentimes rests with them because it's a it's a it's a soft welcoming invitation in and it's a soft exiting of that student and a and then encouraging the student to be at the stop the next morning. um and that when that's consistent throughout then the board directors have done their job of ensuring that that culture is is present. Um and I think that's
019the most important the other again as I said before understanding that it's not always the case that a student or a parent perceives that they have that welcoming experience. It's not the role of the board director to solve that for that student or parent. It's out of the board director to bring to Mr. Ro who then works with staff to um resolve whatever issues cause that perception. Um so how would I work to fulfill that promise? Um, I think I've addressed that in some of the the answers before, but it really is um walking and talking that promise in the community. So, when I'm at the grocery store and you know, your faces are all on the website. So, you're probably pretty well known when you go to the grocery store. Um, and so people
020are going to come up to you and they're going to have some concerns and and you have a board director has the opportunity to listen certainly, but then to bring that concern to Mr. Oven, but really to encourage that person to, but they feel like they can't and or won't there's the board director's job to bring it to Mr. um for that work to get resolved in however it needs to get resolved. Um, so I don't it's I'll be honest, it's been nice. I've lived in this community for 28 years. I think we my family came up here to be principal of Church Creek Elementary. Um, I was certainly known right away. My first visit to Hagens took me um I think three hours. I I said to my Julie, "Well, the first hour was
021getting the way out of the store. the other two were listening as a principle to to people's concerns and that sort of thing. So, it's been nice the last few years to not have that public face um for the for the system. However, I welcome that. Um it's an opportunity to get to re fully re-engage in the community um that we came to. We live just down from the fairgrounds. So, it's been always been a pleasure of ours to well, first of all, my kids, my oldest daughter said at some point in time that you guys promised that if we moved to Stanwood, I could have a pig. Now, we didn't ever remember that, but we got a known forage. She showed pigs. She showed, you know, the swine at the Sano fair, the the
022fair down the road in Savannah, San County Fair, every state fair. Um, so we got I got to know a lot of people even to that way. I coach baseball. I coach softball with my kids. And so I'm not going to do that again. But I've got grandkids here. Um, I've got I had nephews, a nephew and nieces graduate from Stalin High School. I have one who's a current senior at Stan High School. Um, my oldest grandson on the island um is at Saratoga. um which kind of makes me proud or if you notice in my resume um I had the opportunity to work with Shelley Greer to to facilitate the opening of Saratoga. It started in an empty portable sliding. It's grown to that great building. Monica McDaniel um is operating as a lead
023teacher. Um and and so I'm happy that that opportunity exists for him because that's the right place for him. And so as a as and where did that come from board director having a conversation with Dr. shoemate um and then the cabinet that I was a part of at the time about how can we how can we regain such a large portion of our community of students who don't learn with us and so Sarah does that parents have the right to to homeschool the parent partnership program gives them that opportunity and um and and just as Lincoln Academy was created by an idea from a board member Roger Myers in a board retreat asked the question, "We're having such success with Lincoln Hill High School. Why do why don't we have some school students?" And
024so I was tapped to facilitate with that committee that opened up Lincoln Academy. Um and so for 20 students, it's a great opportunity to not be part of the comprehensive middle school. You a smaller, more intimate environment with which to work. And so as a board director, you have opportunity to make suggestions to create programs to serve students um on the margins and and that's a great privilege and it's one that I would um really enjoy the opportunity to engage with. I think I've got >> Yep, you nailed it. Yes. Okay. So, you have an education equity policy that was developed in partnership with our stakeholders, community and district equity team. What are your views regarding equity access and equitable treatment for all students? >> Well, um I think they're strong. For example, when I
025was principal at Church Creek, we were beginning to get a population of students with unique needs um in the school. We had a life coach program that serves students with Down syndrome and also with multiple um disabilities, health conditions, that sort of thing. We're getting students who now are referred to as neurode divergent. Um and so Dr. Gail Forest at the time gave the school psychologist, our speech language pathologist um and I opportunity to sit down and develop a program to meet the needs of those students. And so we developed what what Gail called the assist program. And there each of those it's an acronym and each of those has a meaning and I don't remember what they each were but the point was that we were serving unique set of students in in a
026manner in which we learned how to best do that and that was um that was more expensive than the model we had but it served those students uh more appropriately. Um when I was in Cedra Lully to be a head of her seven elementary schools ranging in size from almost 200 students to over 660. Um I had the opportunity with title and lap dollars to distribute dollars as needed to schools. So we determined that our three in town schools which are the largest that the most um impacted socioeconomically students would receive all the title dollars and then that they would receive some lap dollars but the other lap dollars went to other elementary schools and middle school and high school. So we we and we were very transparent. They all of the principles received the
027Excel sheet that we developed that showed who got what from which pot. Um and they understood that that they received different dollars on a per pupil basis based upon unique set of needs for students. Um and so that that's an important practice and it's an important understanding that some students require more needs than others. When I went up to Cedar Woli, one of the data points was that fewer than 50% of students um were heading off to postsecary learning. At the same time, the CTE program had only only a strong egg program. The welding program had was on its last the autootive. They had a 20th century at the time um auto shop, but they but they weren't being used to set empty. And so one of the things to do, we began not just
028using CT dollars because you you you have to use some basic ed dollars first to to start up a program. So the idea was to build out the CE program for those 48 52% students who were not going to college which most of the program was support but that's the need was to support students not going on to college needing um a pathway to living income wages out of high school. And so we built up our a number of things. And so the idea was we we started direct resources to that. Um we we as district at the time did spent the money on students with special needs and the manner that students needed and then and then hoped that we would get safety net funding for those students um in the manner that we
029spent. understanding that that didn't always happen, but um but it didn't matter because the important thing was to provide the support to those students who most needed it in a manner that they they required. Um and so um you know that equity and it goes back to equity is that part of knowing who your students intimately knowing who they are and then providing resources support them. you know, in a large scale, it's it's PBIS, it's um tiered supports academically. Um it's it's tiered supports for social social emotional support. I noticed on the board agenda that you've I think renewed another year panorama. One of the great questions that in my work with schools the last three years that often they looked at is what is students sense of belonging in their school? And when it
030was low, really those became those became goals in their annual school improvement plan to ensure that activities were targeted to improve students sense of belonging because you don't feel emotionally safe at school. You're not in condition. No matter how good the teacher is with the academics, if you're not safe, you're not learning. So we ensure that that happen. And so again, it's it's directing resources when they're needed and giving giving Ryan the opportunity to make that happen. >> I don't want to rush you, but I just wanted to point out that uh 20 uh 25 of the 45 minutes keeping track. So, I just want to make sure we can get through all of the questions. >> I don't want to rush your answers, but I did want to let you know we've used about
031half of the time. So, Thanks for that. And we are halfway through. Yes. Very good. >> In your opinion, what what is the ultimate goal of the Stanley Tomato School District? >> To ensure that every student graduates, that every student has the the necessary tools when they graduate to move into the pathway that they select to be successful. Um and again as I mentioned before going to college, going to the trades, something that anything whatever it is that they going to the military, whatever that student desires, they've been equipped to accomplish. >> What is your interest in becoming a director? So basically, what is your why? Well, my why is I'm invested in this school in this district. Um, you could say my why is my my grandchildren. I want them to have the experience
032that I believe we created for students when I was an administrator here. Um, I think we had a robust system to support students in a variety of manners. um that I was able to work with in schools with teachers and support staff to ensure that students had that welcoming learning, had that opportunity to learn, had that opportunity to connect um with lit and to explore talents and interests. Um they had a rounded experience as learners. Um, I'm proud of some of the things we did at at Church Creek, um, that I see elements of still at that were rooted in that work. We had did a number of things and I'm excited that that happened that help that for students. Um, and so I want that for every child, not just my grandchildren. Um, and
033you know, retired K12 educator, I can't just leave. I had the opportunity to to work as an administrator in this district where there were three former administrators on the board and I thought that was powerful and at that time I thought well maybe now it seems like this is the right time. >> Thank you. >> What is your previous involvement in the SMA Commando School District or elsewhere? I feel like you've given us a lot of that already. uh it's on there, but maybe just what you think are the highlights or the bullet points that you would like the community to to you know most aware of. >> Proud principal of Church Creek in Mateladi in Fort Susan. um proud member of the community to um have been able to work with with students outside
034of school in SCJAA and Stan Little League um coaching softball basketball um director of school improvement in this district, assistant super secretary education um was was unique that I was in that role and at the title was she is Christine Groover. Now she's Christine. Yeah, I know, but I just out of my head. And three brand new assistant principles. And to help them become a cohesive team to meet student needs um was was uh something that I felt really proud of. And I'll be honest, twice I I left schools. I left Abselati um in the year after I left they became a school of distinction recognition which was for the previous three years of work. After I left Port Susan they were recognized as the school of recognition and distinction which is for the previous
035three um work. But what was most unique in that last one was the state board of education has an account achievement accountability index and it's not far from what this Washington school improvement framework is is now. One of the one of the data pieces for Port Susan prior to my arriving there was and the color was orange and students who are multilingual and or Hispanic were in the orange as learners. Um when I left their achievement moved out of orange to two levels up but their growth became blue which is the high point which is why Port Susan was was recognized. But what in both cases that happened from the work of the teaching staff to really meet student needs and and a collective commitment to make that happen. and and I really feel that
036having had two school staffs that both had that kind of commitment was a hallmark. Um, and I don't toot my horn, but you asked, so I'll answer. And some of them right here. Is there anything you would like to add? >> No. Um, as >> Yeah. >> suggested. I've been wording enough. >> I didn't suggest that. I just was keeping us on track for time. >> I appreciate that. >> I did not say those words. >> No, you did not say I I inferred that. Um, so no, I don't have anything more I like to add. I don't think other than I'd certainly welcome the opportunity and and hope that you select me, but I also understand if you don't, it's because you've selected somebody else who you believe fits your needs as a board
037in a better manner than I can. Um, and it's not a matter of like or dislike. It's it's a matter of match. And so, you're looking for somebody who's going to match the needs that you have as a director. And I hope I'm that person, but if I'm not, so be it. Okay, now it's your turn. What questions do you have for the board? >> So, obviously um somebody stepped away. There's been temp tension um in the board. How do you see yourselves and the new director coming together to be a cohesive support for right now the students the staff and the community? >> You asking somebody in particular or the group as a whole or would you like to hear everybody's answer? >> I'd love to hear everybody. Well, >> but I want to
038be cognizant of time. Well, >> I really want that. Okay. >> At least looking at you because you're you're the president. How do you see ourselves coming together collectively to support students, staff, community? We've had some tensions in some areas in the community here, but I think uh with the change in superintendent with Mr. Joanel here, the board and the whole district staff as we had to come together and we've always had all of our decisions are based on what's best for the kids and that's what we want to keep in front of us all the time. And I think we're coming together and looking at the things we have in common and trying to all move forward to help our kids become the best they can and prepare them for their future of their
039choice. Thank you. >> I heard Steve Charlotte want to add you want to >> Yeah, I tr I I truly believe that I think we are moving in the right direction. Um and hopefully over this next school year that we will be better at serving everyone in our district with the needs with all of their needs. So I I'm feeling very positive. >> I would like to think that uh moving forward with a board that has two new members um on it. Uh the appointed one and then the elected one. Uh we could sort of perhaps do that ground level training um that we did when we had two new board members the last time where we had them come in. We have that sort of boot camp sort of a thing so everybody's on
040the same page. we all kind of understand what our roles are, where our lane is. Um, so that we can be constructive and be the board that we are designed to be. Um, participation in WASDA and events like that I think are very helpful. Um, so that's kind of sort of how I envision that moving forward as a board constructively and positively would be sort of that reset of let's go back to the basics of having I think her name was Val come in would be ideal to give us that that again like here's our our basic groundwork of how this goes. Um, and sort of starting over with a fresh slate um seems really like a refreshing idea to me. Um but that's in my perfect world how I see that looking. >> It
041used to be that um regions of of boards come together not monthly but quarterly. >> We have those. >> Okay. You still >> Yeah. >> We call those board retreats. >> No, he means the the district area one certain board hosts and they >> Yeah. So we're in district area one and so it's like Bellingham Granite Falls. >> Yeah. Friday for Harbor. We did >> check out the Friday Harbor ones. >> And I don't think they do them quarterly anymore. I think it's like just once a year. So it's usually in the spring. >> And I know that you do the Wazda retreat. >> Yep. That's in uh November. Mhm. Um there's also uh Wazda has created a lot of really great um what do they call them? Onboard modules. Um yeah to to help
042with a lot of that. Um so those are there's a lot actually a lot of resources that they didn't have even when I came on the board that I've really enjoyed um participating in >> and some of that's mandated through um RCWs and WAX. >> Correct. >> Some of it. Yes. And there are some alternative like like optional ones that are also free. >> We're also free to do whatever comes up or we've had our risk management come in and do presentations to us and other groups to help us. >> Okay. Well, again, I want to thank you for >> question. Reading your long resume. >> Uhhuh. the early part of it. You were at a elementary school and a couple of middle schools. You were teachers there. >> I was a teacher at Woodway
043Elementary in Edmonds and a teacher at Mdale Middle School. My first job was at Lake Stevens Middle School on a leave placement contract. >> Our process this evening, we have one more candidate to interview approximately 45 minutes. Then we're going to recess into a executive session to discuss uh evaluations and um we will come back out and then we will do a vote in public hearing and we estimate that to be somewhere around 710. Okay. So >> I'll watch that on YouTube. >> We thank you for applying for this position. It's pretty fully filled and qualified person. Um, and thank you for your resume and questions to answer your time tonight. Really give us a good idea who you are, why we should consider you for the position. Thank you. Appreciate that. I can see
044myself [Music] coming. Thanks. [Applause] [Music] Anybody needs to come steal a corner of the table to write their feedback really quick, feel free to feel free to come up and and do that. >> I know it's hard writing in your >> Our next candidate will be >> I'm having more coffee [Music] gets credit. Good morning. I've also candidates up there. So already [Music] Yes. We can't ask questions. [Music] She said she's questioned officials have to go through OPMA um and public records act training after you're elected. So we let the state uh take care of that training for us as well. You don't you don't have to come in with that knowledge. Please provide the training. >> Here's >> Freshwater. Yes. >> Hi everybody. >> Hi El. How are you? >> Good. Director C. King.
045Director Charlotte Murray. Director Brand Evans. Of course, you better superintendent. >> Yes. I can't see you guys with my glasses on, but then I can't see the table with them off. So, they're going to go on. >> We have a series of questions that we ask the same of each candidate. >> Okay. >> And so, we'll start I think left off here. Next questions to Charlotte. >> So, um to start off with, please explain how your experience is relevant to this position. Um well I have my degree is in marketing. I have been working at Hats Off well owned Hats Off started Hats Off 30 years ago. Um originally with my marketing degree I did some product development marketing management. Uh so I'm really kind of not teacher focused. Uh it's all you know working
046out in the community. Um I have really enjoyed working at her owning hats off and talking to all the students and the teachers and the community members as they come in. Um and I just was really concerned that this position might be left vacant and I didn't want to see that happen. So I thought I would go ahead and apply and see how it goes. Um, please describe your experience serving as a member of a board or similar experience. I have not I have not been on a specific board. Um I have worked in various projects where we have you know done like focus groups uh worked with the community and represented it represented what that is as a marketing manager. You um identify what requirements are needed for a product and then you work
047with the community to bring that to fruition. But I haven't actually worked on a specific board. >> Explain how you view the role of a schoolboard director. >> Providing feedback and community insights uh to help the strategic direction of the school district. I know like 25 years ago. >> Yes, I know. We've been in business for I believe this year is 30 years. We originally did start out in Lynen. Um my husband retired from the military though and Stanwood was the halfway mark 30 years ago and he was stationed at uh Naple Station Everett and I would drive back and forth to London. And one of the main reasons that we decided to settle in Stanwood was for the school district and school board and the fact that there was such great structure and guidance
048for the students. They knew what to expect. >> It wasn't a question asked. Oh, sorry. >> But thank you. Our district promise states that every student is empowered to learn in an inclusive setting and is prepared for the future of their choice. How would you work to fulfill this promise as a school board director? >> Well, I think that we all, you know, are individuals. I think all of our um unique attributes ex combined is what makes us such a great community. Um, I think that everybody has value and um, as the school board member, I would just be focused on ensuring that everybody's voices was heard and sorry, represented uh, to the school board. We have an education equity policy that was developed in partnership with our stakeholders, community and district equity team. What
049are your views regarding equity, access, and equitable treatment for all students? >> Could you repeat that question? >> You too. I'm sure she can. I should take her, but just in case it is down there in front of you. >> All right. I'm a reader, not a listener when it comes to that. >> Um, well, I don't know what my specific views are because I'd have to read the education equity policy. Uh overall um like I said I think I answered in the previous question I think that everybody's view and what we bring to the table is important. Uh whether that's a student, a community member, a teacher, a board member, I think that uh they all need to be focused on and considered. But I have not specifically read the education equity policy that
050Stanley has. >> Oh, did you guys send me this and I did not get it? >> No, we just put it in front. >> It's just a surprise questions. >> Okay. >> In your opinion, what is the ultimate goal of the San Kameo school district? education for all of our students, whether they want to go to college, tech, uh go straight out of school and and work in the community. I think it's important, um, as a community member and a business owner, I've had quite a few high school students who have worked for me. Um, and I, you know, so I the ultimate goal is to make sure that they are all provided with a fair, uh, education opportunity and the ability to move forward with their next steps on what they want to do
051with life, whether that is a college education with four-year, two-year associates, go straight to work, raise a family, stay at home. I think that all those rules are important for a community and ensuring that all of our students have those same benefits across the board is the ultimate goal. >> Why are you interested in becoming a director? Uh again, I really just was concerned that this would be a vacant position and wanted to make sure that there was somebody who was willing to take the time and review the opportunity and be willing to step up and be there for our community. What is your previous involvement in the San Mato School District or elsewhere? I know we spent a lot of money in your store. >> Probably not as much as many people think that
052you've spent there. I guess uh we actually don't do a whole heck of a lot with the school, but um I have three children who have all graduated from SEO school districts. They all started out in the Cedar Home Elementary. They all graduated from there. I now have six grandchildren. Five of them, well, four, three of them are in in the school district now. Two of them are on their way next year. Uh, and then the other one is only six months old. So, but I'm just concerned that they are able to enjoy the same opportunities that my daughters enjoyed all these years uh in the Sama School District and the successes that they have done. Is there anything additional you'd like to add? I I don't believe so. You know, I I have heard
053various things about this uh position. I do have some concerns. Um but I don't think that they are anything that can't be overcome. Do you have any questions for us? I do not have any specific questions for you. >> No. Is this is the only uh position currently open? Correct. >> Uh so this is the only position like being appointed. There is a position that will be on the November ballot. >> Um that people had to apply for uh to be on that ballot in May. Um but this position was vacated outside of their like outside of the election and in midterm. So this one is appointed and it is appointed until the following election cycle which would be 2027. >> Right. So I guess my concern is I believe that there's quite a few
054of you who are ending in 2025. Who's that? Uh >> Charlotte and I were up for election this year and after 12 years I I'll be retiring. Charlotte will be congratulations continuing her seat there. But in addition to the board positions, we do have a lot of other >> areas where we invite community involvement and input on our academic advisory committee, our budget advisory committee, our facilities advisory committee, you know, and other um groups that we have operating in here, booster clubs and PTAs and things. So, and we use a lot of volunteers in our schools. So, >> and there was some mention of um offsite training and meetings, you know, make yourself available for those. Uh about how many of those do you have for you? >> So, we go to Lassa, which is
055in November, and that's usually like a Thursday through like a sun a Saturday. Um there is sometimes it's like a Wednesday for like a pre-law or like if you go to the board boot camp and stuff like that. So, um there is that that we go to annually. Um there are so school districts are broken into district areas. So, we're district area one. Um our district area usually has one meeting where they get together in person um at one of the districts. Um and as Director Murray pointed out earlier, it's usually in the spring. Um a lot of our other trainings and stuff are um available online. Um, so you kind of do those online as they're available to you. Um, we do host or have um, uh, I guess we're calling them board retreats
056now. Uh, or study sessions um, outside of our regular board meetings. Um, but honestly, every year and every sort of month is is like a different So, the most common question I usually get is like, how much time does this take? Next question. How much time? One month it could be legit just the two hours for the two board meetings and one month it could be 12 hours because we have a ton of things and one month it's a whole week because it's Wazda and a bunch of other things. So there really isn't um I will say the spring gets really busy when you're trying to attend end of season things and end of school. So that would be the other piece of that would be not just the >> you know there is an
057expectation to you know attend different events around the district to have that involvement and be seeing that firsthand as well because that brings a different perspective to the role you're in. >> Okay. Would you say that you spend most of your volunteer hours in the evening, the morning during the day, weekends? Um I I think we fairly negotiate that. Uh we we go back and forth uh because uh it's it's the preference is not the same for every director on the board. Um so we try to do a decent job of negotiating uh best available times for the most people. Um, so >> and also spreading the opportunities around because like we go and sometimes there'll be a morning where two of us have to be be someplace for a meeting >> to give out
058an award, right? >> Yeah. So there there it doesn't take a lot of time, but it's also, you know, carving out that 30 minutes or whatever before you start your day. It's probably 50/50 middle of the day stuff and in the evening things. So, >> what do you enjoy most about being on the school board? >> Are you asking one particular person or would you like to >> I would like just a quick quick from all five of you if possible. What do you enjoy most about being on the school board? >> Working with the superintendent. >> Ah, yes. Very nice. >> I would agree with that. But handing out the diplomas to the student graduate, that's always >> that's very exciting. Okay. I like that. helping create opportunity for our students. >> Okay. Uh
059I would say yeah building between the community and the students and like seeing uh things that you were at the beginning of and how they sort of transpire and you can see the positive things in yeah like how how something that you were on the ground level for um and how you get to see that grow. Um, so I would say like the growth of our students and our and our stakeholders in our community, it's my favorite thing. >> Yeah, I love that. >> It's always up to the board how they want to structure the meetings if they're all evenings or daytime, but uh most of us have jobs, you know, that we work at. And we also have to consider our staff because they come down to reports and make them come back. >>
060I felt bad Bruce had to stay late to let me in. I'm sure she was on to something else, too. So, >> okay. >> So, our our process now, we've interviewed uh both candidates now. So, we're going to uh recess into an executive session. >> Okay. >> And evaluate these, have discussion about 30 minutes, then we'll come back out in front here and we will take action in public. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you for your time. >> Absolutely. Thank you. I appreciate it. >> I can walk back. >> Okay, sounds good. Thank you everybody in the back room. Thank you. >> I hope you guys enjoy. So, we will be recessing into an executive session. We said for 20 minutes, right? [Music] >> Why don't we say reconvene at 6:30? >> Yep. 6:30 next. >>
061So, can we do that? We can't >> because it's supposed to go in fairly announce but we can't because we put the time on there. We have a topic of the time on this announce [Music] I think once be announced without it. >> No, it's okay. I just I thought we could like I know that like once you announce it [Music] >> we used to have on the agenda they had like time slots down [Music] >> it go into >> confirm. >> Yeah. If we can change it within the meeting or do we have to wait until the 710? Well, we're on we're early, so we can sit out here and wait until >> it's only weird, right? >> Don't make it weird. It's only weird if you make it weird. So basically we just
062need to make to the Google. >> Yeah, >> you sure can. All right. Entertain a motion to amend our agenda. Candidates qualification for appointment director district number four until it now says 7 and 10. And we want that to read 7 630. resolution. >> Is there a second to that motion? >> Seconded by Director King. >> All those in favor of amending our agenda to change the executive session time from 7:10 to 6:30. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> All right, that passes unanimous. We are now going to recess to executive session until 6:30. Back at 6:30. >> We will come out if we need more time. Yeah. [Music] I went to take a drink and I got plastic in my mouth. [Music] That concludes the board's executive session. Okay.
063I want to thank the candidates who apply for the position. We're going to take action on the appointment of this position. So, I will entertain a motion to appoint someone as the director of director district number four for the remainder of the term. for the next election. >> Uh I would like to make a motion to appoint uh Michael Olsen to that position. >> Second. >> Director Evans moved and Director King seconded. All those in favor? >> No. Have to take a roll call. >> Yeah. Um so this is voting on appointing Michael Olsen as the director for district 4. So, Director Shyber votes yay. Director King, >> yes. >> Director Evans, >> yes. >> Director Murray, >> yes. >> That makes it unanimous. And Michael Holston will be the new director from Director District
0644 and we will swear him in at the next meeting on September 16th. >> Okay. >> And you will call in for them? I will call both candidates tonight and uh let them know and thank them for applying. >> And there being no further business, the September 2nd, 2025 special board meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you all. It's been