001Awesome. >> Calling to order the board of directors regular meeting of October 22nd, 2025 district office at 5:30 p.m. Alicia, would you lead us in the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under [clears throat] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, welcome. Yeah, this has been great. We've had more people. I swear in the last three or four meetings, we've had more people than we've had in the last 10 years. Good to see to see you guys. Okay, let's get started here for Mark's going to go to the school. Yeah. So today got to talk to high school counselors and learn a little bit more about the process that they're doing on making sure that they have the program running
002from the elementary school to the middle school and into the high schools and how they're aligning students curriculum to experiences. make sure that when they graduate that hand stage their actions future welcome >> I want to say that grandparents and parents >> could you stand up so we can see >> Riverside Elementary had goodies with grandparents or parents and we have everybody there. It was such a great turnout. It's so fun to see everybody. Hopefully now it looks like it was such a success. We had a great time. >> What did you have for the treats? >> What was that? >> What did you have for the treats? >> Well, of course it was donuts and coffee. So, yeah. >> Just donuts and coffee. [laughter] >> That's great. Others. Okay, moving on. I need to
003get a motion to approve the uh the adoption of the agenda. >> Second. All >> in favor say I. >> I appro September 24th, 2025. Our regular meeting and our special meeting of October 6th, 2025. [clears throat] Need a motion. Second. All in favor say I. I. >> Approval of the consent agenda. Need a motion. Second. All in favor say I. >> I. Oppos. >> We are ready for a superintendent report. K. >> Okay. Well, uh, Dad, did you want to give any updates or anything related to the topic that people are interested in? >> Absolutely. >> So, if you look at what we have to produce, and what I don't want you to think is that we're not. And one I do appreciate is the support that you guys have given us conversations I've
004had with with many of you. And I want to let you know that we have sought advice council on this topic. You talk about the school boards that school board members have been a part of a consortium that is looking to seek legal action like we propose and one thing is is that while we're asking you communication with us and we're doing our work one thing that I would throw about that is that we are doing the same thing with our contacts and the government that we are working as well and that we need to work with them and we've done you know taken that action. We've gone as far as we can go on that in those avenues right now. It doesn't mean that we stop and say, "Okay, let's kick back to one
005of those and see what happens from that or continue to have conversations, continue to look for different avenues on what the best course of action is, you know, and making sure that we are [clears throat] in conversation." Having said that, I have any questions for any other hang up since we have you. >> That's the hang up. What we're doing right now is trying to find more people to engage in the whole thing and we're trying to do that, but we're also the people who are really wanting to to initiate this thing. Everybody's working at it, talking to different districts and trying to get them on board. What's happened as a This is what Matt's really saying is that that conversation goes on, but we haven't got anybody yet that's that's uh come on. We
006we got to have can another six or seven anyway. >> Well, the advice was 15 to 20. >> Yeah, but I mean what we've got right now is what nine. >> So we we need another we need another six anyway to go ahead with financial. That's that's the the key. So that's that's really where we're at and we're we're really wanting now that we've made a commitment to do it. Uh we really want to get moving on it. It's just a matter of getting more schools or Yeah. >> Do you guys know of any schools that allow out of town visitors to speak at the boards that they're working? >> Do I know of any other school district that allow out of town visitors to talk? Well, that's a really good question. I don't know.
007I I seem to hear all the negatives on that in terms of of boards not doing it, but I think it's opened up more and I think that the the uh kind of heavyhanded approach of the state has had a lot to do with that. I think that there's there's really a [clears throat] sense I get in in the different districts that, hey, listen, we've got to have local control of this stuff. And the idea that we're not going to have local control is just unacceptable. So, the thing that the thing that's got to happen is that we're in pretty good shape as a district as far as our reserves go financially to be able to say, "Yeah, we'll step forward and be financially committed to this." There are there are quite a few districts
008that are not because they just just don't have the reserve money that they need. What we got to do is find people who have the money and are willing. That's some of that is in the phases that we were in a couple of meetings ago where we were still talking to our attorneys and getting advice from them. But boy, I'll tell you, I'm convinced that going forward is certainly a priority on our table and that's that's where we're headed. We just we just have to get people who have $15,000 that they can commit to the cost of doing That's really a question. Aside from changes, is there anything that us as community to support process questions? >> I don't think so. I think that quite frankly it kicked us in the butt. That was a
009good thing because sometimes boards need that, right? And so it was uh it was loud and clear by the way that the community felt. [clears throat] Then we got together and rethought our thoughts on the whole subject and realized that in rereading and rereading that that whole directive from the state. That's just not the way I see this whole thing being managed. I mean the whole thing the the business of the district. We we've got to have a say in how things are done here. And that's where the board stands is at. We want we want to have our voice heard at the state level and that means something more than the western side of the state. >> That that's kind of where I was asking if there like us as community members getting together
010with other communities and districts just to make our voice a little bit louder within our school. So, it's not just us fighting the fight or it's them fighting the fight, but it's us all together and then we're growing that encouragement for other people to speak up. >> Ken, I was going to say I you and I have been talking about this. I'm glad you brought this up, but >> Well, I mean, the only thing I would add, Wes, is that you know, you've got the legislative process that creates laws. Okay. The the potential lawsuit is against OSBI or what is called rule making. The rule making is taking the law and applying it to policies, right? So the law has to be through the legislators. So can you get active with the legislators? I mean
011I know the answer is always where you know the they don't have a voice but there is that's still the process we have. And so that's another thing that, you know, Matt's done a lot since last meeting is talking to some legislators figuring out, you know, how that how that goes. And they have a lot of uh avenues that the we don't have. So you I think I think to just rely on the board is a lot, right? >> It's a lot of pressure when they don't have control over some of it. You know what I mean? So the legislative branch is really a critical Yeah. Legislators, even even your own or others in the state. And then also the federal state fight that's going on right now. That's probably studied. It's it's in effect.
012So, it's happening. And what's hard though is that that's not a school board decision. >> So, that's going to have to be influenced by the legislative process. Now part of this in the courts. So what will happen? I there's different guesses on what's going to happen around this topic. But um I know you know pay attention to your your representatives that are at the table around that particular issue and try to try to you know build relationships with them and help them understand what the what the perspectives are. It seems huge but that's another one since you're asking. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. Thank you for asking. We have a couple more questions that we will get to just a second. Also, if you're wondering how do you your representatives or your state [clears throat] when
013I walked in, I noticed that was Yeah, it's more of like how do we voice amongst all not just our community and our school board you guys I understand you don't but how do we combine [clears throat] >> but yeah I can tell that if four of us call the representatives call representatives Ashley. >> Yeah. >> Um I know that so we're in contact with other school boards. I don't know that I would feel comfortable in the public settings as well. I want them to announce that for themselves. Um, but what I could do is talk to some of those school boards that I've been talking to and see if that's something that they talking That's that's not something that comfortable sharing. That's something that you know if they're comfortable with it and they don't
014talk [clears throat] those are great questions. I appreciate you guys speak up a little bit. I need to hear. >> Yeah, I was I'm so soft. I'm sorry. I wish I was Yes. >> I think that could of articles. I think one of the one of the things just to point out, we pointed out in the last meeting is that when you're doing potential litigation, this board doesn't like to keep secrets or anything, but at the same time, there are some rules about litigation. >> You know, you can't, [clears throat] right? You just can't openly public meetings like say everything. So >> just don't get mad, you know that that happens. You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. I was just gonna follow on the question regarding um how we can specifically talk to legislators.
015A super simple like this is reallyful for everyone here. You know how to open your phone laptop or your computer. Um you go find senator find your senator and district. So for me that was short able and angle and if I choose to send one message to short it also sent it to angle and as a few times and I got extremely personal responses back from each of them and they all saw each other's responses. So if we take that multiply it by 50 them so I would just really encourage you guys to do that. It took me four Other comments? I would just say this. This is a pretty healthy district. That isn't the case with some districts, but careful about what you engage with because there's a lot of political strike that goes
016on in some of the places. might really waste time. >> I hate to see you. Yeah, go ahead. >> Right. And that that was I think what a lot of the comments have been about is if if you guys know of district that makes sense for us to maybe reach out and talk to community members or see if we're able to specific district meetings. It would be helpful for we we have no fighting into you know what those other districts are in those regards their political or their financial situations. If you guys say you know hey these specific districts they potentially are good perspective uh litigants. It would help us figure out where we could potentially go try to if not go directly to the school board. We talk to the community. Hey, now this
017is happening. >> Yeah. >> And we want some sort of [clears throat] just some people. It was just some people that that sat there and went, "We don't like where this is headed and and we came to the board and did it. I don't think we need to go to anybody else's school board. I think we need to go to our friends and acquaintance that are out in out and around and say, "Look, there's a light at the end of this tunnel. It might be a tough life, but but go contact those go contact the families, the moms, the dads, the kids, and just and just let them know what the heck's going on here at Riverside and invite them to have to go to their school board and have their school board. So, I
018don't think it's necessary to go talk to somebody's school board. I think I think there's enough people out there that believe that what's going on here for every single kid involved and speak up. >> Just want to reiterate what Ashley said. Um, of course, find your local representatives, shoot them an email, express that we need relief from policy 3211, which is what we're all here for. Um, so they know that there is a large volume of people uh in support of of essentially pushing back against OPI uh because as we're trying to communicate here tonight, volume is a big deal. volume and the strength in numbers and uh we saw that by purging our Boston school board. They've been able to take this on. They heard us. Our voices were heard and so I want
019to reiterate the large part of why we're here tonight is to show our support to the board and to Ken. Um, this is a huge deal and it means uh I can't describe how much it means to the community for you guys to stand up uh for what is absolutely right. No question. So you guys, I want to encourage you guys, you're doing the right thing. You have our support and we want to do all that we can uh to be successful in this and to be successful helping our kids. But what you said [applause] was our exact repeat to you. That's what that's what makes this all happen. You I can tell you I've been on this board now 10 years and what happens is is you say what we talked about. I wonder
020how the community feels. Seriously. So it's a tremendous advantage to have the input that we've really is. Anything else? No, you haven't signed the petitions for this. >> Thank you. >> So, these would be petition to get back on the ballot. >> Okay. Anybody else feel? >> Yeah. I'm just wondering as it stands right now um are males allowed in female bathrooms and females and male and walkers. >> You know, I think I think the the answer is that by law, yes, we do work with our families very close. I told the group before and I'll say it again with the small number of kids we have, we we get to know them really well. We get to know families. what happens in practice and what happens like on that paper is not necessarily always
021lined up, right? And so we do we do counsel, we do talk to the kids. There's been anytime we've had cases, we've had privacy in those situations, but part of that is is working with kids and working with the family. So, um that's that's the answer. But the law is clear in Washington state that yes, that that is allowable. >> Sorry. Continue with your report. Just a couple quick ones. Uh number one is is Battle of the Horns Friday night. I know it's a little lighter. Sorry. But Battle of the Horns Friday night. Big Deer Park versus Riverside. Come on. Let's show them how [clears throat] uh show Deer Park how it's done in Ram Nation. and uh that's about not only the football game but just building community and teaching kids about the power
022of community. So big night on that night and then we also have an upcoming uh Riverside FFA employment night. So just want to remind everybody to get on their calendars early to invite anybody else if you have a business or if you're in a a construction field or or the trades or you have any experience obviously in in your career and you want to seek awesome kids and you want to help them. there's interview possibilities. They they can interview you about your career and learn things, but you can also mock interview them. So, that's that's going to be coming out on social media and on on our publications, but that's November 13th at 5:30. And then the last thing is, you know, we usually set goals and one of the things that helps around student
023learning is that when the board and superintendent set measurable goals around student achievement and uh and so that's in our plan and we monitor that and and we work with our principles and so their school improvement plans as a as a school are directly woven into and nested within our district goals. And then when small teams work whether grade level or subject level, they also set student learning goals that are matched back to the building goals which is matched back to the to the district goals. And so it's just a really it'd be no different than you know having a team, right? You're going to have team goals, you're going to have individual goals. And so um I for my goals individually because you evaluate me and hold me accountable to getting it done. I've
024had different variations throughout the years, but these are this is a one-pager because I know Bob, you don't like multi-page documents in a lot of ways. >> So, yeah, exactly. So, tried to make it less boring, but uh anyways, the it's a one pager and it's really aligned back to student learning because I'm trying to figure out what do I do that helps move the needle around student learning. And so I'm going to give you a copy of it to digest, but then we can talk midyear performance evaluation and how that >> we meet with the principal. >> Um, we need to determine that. I mean, obviously that's been a strength of ours is lining up and being on the same page with our principal. >> So yeah, I mean that but this is at
025least a start to that and uh wanted to give that copy for you to to look at and then we'll we'll follow up. just like to acknowledge the presence of more faculty here tonight and how much I appreciate that that people come and and participate teach pleasure to have you and then the only other thing I totally forgot I screwed up at the beginning on the agenda because that business item was actually deleted but I should have [clears throat] told you that before you approve the agenda. So is there any way you can rotate that? >> Motion. >> So that item is not going to be on the motion. >> Are we done? >> Yes. Oh yeah. Business. All in favor say I. We are moving into executive session. So just appreciate everybody coming. >>
026Oh, we're going to have I would say half hour. >> Yeah. Bigger half hour. [clears throat] >> You missed all the action. >> [laughter] >> Only your