001[Music] Good evening. Welcome to our September uh 16th schoolboard meeting. I call this meeting to order. We offer Spanish interpretation services from Horge with Language Language Connection. If you need translation assistance in person, please check with Horge for a device. Jorge, please translate this information. >> Thank you. If you wish to make a public comment, there are two options available for you. The first option is for commenting on the agenda items only and the second option which comes towards the end of the meeting is for all other topics. In order to speak tonight, you will need to sign two forms, the sign-in form and the guidelines form and you can find that in the back of the room. We provide live streaming for the meeting. The link can be found on our web page under
002board of directors or by going directly to ysd7.org/board meetings. If you're interested in watching past meetings, you can find them on our web pages YSD YouTube channel. Barb, take the role, please. >> Director Walker >> here. >> Director Navaro Jr. >> here. >> Director Rice >> here. >> Vice President Via Noea >> here. >> And President Beckett is excused. >> Next, please join me for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. September's character word is respectful. Valuing or showing consideration for the feelings, rights, and traditions of others. And then we have our Yakama land acknowledgement. Today the schools of the Yakama school district rest on the ancestral
003lands of 14 Confederated tribes and bands of the Yakama nation. [Music] The people of the Yak nation inhabited more than 12 million acres. Grant, Kittas, Clickat, and Nakoma counties, Douglas, Grandas, >> today we honor those native peoples who are tied to the land through history, legends, and culture. We acknowledge our descendants who live in the world today. >> We thank the caretakers of this land who have lived here and continue to live here since time immemorial. An acknowledgement is a simple powerful way to show respect. [Music] and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase indigenous people's history and culture. [Music] As a school district, we will continue to build upon our relations with the Yakama Nation. Yakama. Next item of the agenda is the is reports to the board and first is
004the ENS report goal number two and executive director of student services Omar Santoy presenting. Superintendent Green, do you want to kick this off? I'm just grateful for the work of our student services department especially in this matter Omar Santoy for um carrying the heavy load here with his um his team because it wasn't a single effort but for keeping us updated on uh goal number two and as you may recall uh there was a presentation earlier 2025 uh we will likely still not have some of the OSPI information uh that differs from that report uh but this report at this time of the year was to get us onto a cadence of of hearing the five ends reports uh between September and December. So this is a a new approach of not spreading it out
005through the entire year uh but also but then condensing it for that uh January opportunity. So without further ado, Omar. Uh thank you board. Um my name is Omar Santoy, executive director of student services. Today we'll be giving uh the boards an ends report on goal number two. Um and you've received the full slide deck in advance for review. Um and today we'll be sharing a few slides with you with some updated information. So let's get started. There we go. All right. So let's get started. As you know, the strategic plan outlines five aspirational goals uh for our students. These goals are our community commitments. Um they drive our systems. They drive our services each and every day. The reference to these goals is found in glo our global end statement and uh that is
006part of our policy 1000.1.0. Today we will be uh specifically focusing on goal number two. So looking at goal number two, our focus is all students empowered, connected, supported, resilient, and engaged. When broken down, we call out that all students will develop habits and behaviors that elevate student voice, resilience, and personal ownership in a safe, caring, and supportive environment. So if this is our aim, we need to ensure that we understand what it is actually calling for. So when we say all students, um all means all and it truly means every student uh with no exceptions. And when we call out the the development of habits and behaviors of student voice, resilience and personal ownership, all of these fall within the social, emotional, and behavioral domains and we really consider regular attendance as an example
007of uh a student taking personal ownership um toward this goal. Lastly, the goal emphasis on creating a safe, caring, and supportive environment where every student feels connected to at least one trusted adult um and to one another. And you can see in this picture that uh we selected, this is actually what we're striving for, right? Students actively learning while building meaningful connections with uh with the adults and with one another. Historically, so when we speak of indicators of student progress, uh, Superintendent Green, you know, talked about some data, um, that has not yet been made available, but historically, you've been provided with indicators of student progress. Things like survey data, attendance data has been given um to the board uh to help monitor this goal. Um, just given the the timing of this presentation and
008it being so early in the school year, some of the data that has been made available in the past, it just has not been yet released or uh we were unable to collect and I'll I'll expand on that here uh in just a moment. But here's a list of the data that you have received in the past. Healthy use survey. The healthy use survey is administered on a two-year rotation. Um, so every two years we administer the healthy youth survey. Um, and this is our year of administration. So there's no new data to report on last year. Um, we will be administering in October and those results won't be made available uh to our district till the winter of 2026. You've also seen CE data uh that is the center for educational effectiveness. Um that
009is also a survey that it's administered. Um there's no new data to present to the board that you haven't already seen. Um uh YSD last year did not contract with CE. Uh the board you know I know you guys are aware of this did not contract with CE last year and that was due to financial constraints. Um we did however attempt to uh launch a survey and um that survey that students did take it just did not capture the data that pertain to goal number two and so that data is unavailable even though we don't have that survey uh data available. Um we do have the historic uh data and that has been provided to the board on slides 21 through 32. You guys have also uh you you would identify this icon um the
010OSPI regular attendance data. We've had a lot of discussion around that. Um that is OSPI measuring their goal their way. Um in years past I've been able to bring to the board preliminary data. And so when we think about the last uh attendance update uh that was uh provided to us in December and I I believe I reported it in January um being so early in the year we have not even uh uh been received any preliminary data for the end of uh last school year. the uh the data that we do have that is consistent and and you know that you've heard me say that is most valuable to our district is our is the data that we have control over which is our Skyward data our Yakma school district daily average attendance data
011and um you know the most powerful thing that that I I keep saying about this data is it does measure every kid every period and so every opportunity to learn gets captured um and it's very valuable to us because we can access that data um very quickly. So, let's look at some some data together. Here's a graph on our attendance data. That blue line that you see is OSPI's uh regular attendance data. And you can see that the last update that we have is in 2023 24 school year. Um at the last attendance update, I was able to give you an estimate and that was the preliminary data. uh the preliminary data indicated that we would be landing around 66%. Um that number did finalize at 65.9. When you compare it to the 2022 23
012school year, um you can see that that we had an increase or an improvement of 2.4%. Um so that's movement in the right direction. We've been seeing that. Uh we're very proud of that and we're hoping when we get the preliminary data in December for last end of end of school year last year, uh we're hoping for another increase. The orange line indicated on this graph is our daily average attendance data and that is our YSD data. We've been able to maintain 88% over the past three years and that's up from the 85 from the year um 2122. And so the last three years we've been able to maintain 88% of the daily average uh attendance data data. Um I'm particularly proud of last year and holding at that 88% and um you know there's
013there's a specific reason why uh February 3rd uh February 3rd I had great concern as I as we monitor this data our district uh daily average attendance plummeted to 55.2% on that particular day. um I became very concerned about where that might put us um when we measured toward the end of the year. Um if you remember February 3rd um you know it's months ago now um there was significant uh impact not just to our data but uh we had uh high number of students participating and um and we had some staff you know uh uh participating in a day without an immigrant. And so you guys may have also um been able to remember there was businesses that closed and and there was uh a lot of unrest um you know around whether it
014was safe to you know send kids to school and whatnot and we were hearing these things. Um and so that day we saw you know close to half of our population not not in schools and um and that I wanted to you know when I was looking at that I thought man this is going to be very difficult to recover from you know and uh I look back at the year prior because I thought well maybe because it was a Monday I thought well maybe historically just Mondays are we see attendance that is down so I looked at the year prior and the same calendar Monday. I I mean the February 3rd wouldn't trans translate over, right? But so that same Monday, the year prior, uh our district was at 88.4%. So you can see
015the single day impact of over 30% um for you know for that attendance data is very significant. And so, you know, our schools had to do a wonderful job just, you know, creating, you know, safe, uh, and inviting areas, uh, you know, schools that students felt comfortable, you know, coming to, that our families felt comfortable sending kids to, uh, for the remainder of the school year. So, for us to end at that 88% is is a huge feat and I'm very proud of that. Um, so we did end the year at 88% and uh just to give you a quick um view of where we're starting this school year, we're actually starting uh very strong. We're at 93% daily average attendance rate uh for the 2526 school year. So that's our first reporting period. Um
016that is slightly up than where we were last school year. And so we're hoping that this is going to be uh an encouraging early trend that we will continue to see through, you know, throughout the school year. Specific to our goal statement, at least 95% of our students, 19 out of 20 will attend at least 171 days of the 180day school year. our current district performance um and you can see here that we've maintained at seven uh the last uh three years um when student services started overseeing attendance was you know in that 22 uh 23 school year transition um so there's four years you know of data and so we we jumped in that first year uh from five to seven and then we've maintained that seven and I just got to share with
017you I've learned some things about this goal um this is a very lofty goal for our kids at that 95% very and it is an aspirational goal. It's very difficult to reach. Um you know uh I've got three three of my own kids in our system and so just a couple illnesses throughout the school year u you know can can put this 95% in in in jeopardy. Um, but in our district, not only when you know a student may be ill, it may impact that student's attendance, but there may be an older sibling that also stays home uh to care for a younger sibling and uh so parents can can continue to work. And so, uh, in our district, you know, you may have students that are out and older siblings. So, really the impact
018of that illness is is on maybe multiple students in our district. Um, not only that, when you start peeling the onion, um, medical and mental health appointments, um, our practitioners have done a wonderful job trying to create options outside of school hours, but most of our appointments uh that students can uh attend are during the school day. And so they they have the same school hours um or they have the same business hours as our school hours. And so, uh, it can make it very difficult, you know, especially for any students that have regular appointments. Um, so needing to be checked out for those. I guess what I'm trying to say, it can be very easy to fall out of that 95%. It is a very, very tall, very um high standard that we have
019set for students to meet. Uh, and we do have students meeting them. But where I think I I I want to say um I'm I'm very uh pleased with our district is we've been able to if you look at this, this is the ones that the students who are approaching that criteria, the seven out of 20 were the ones that are meeting the criteria of that that very high standard. Um the ones that are approaching are over 90%. And so, uh, over the course of the past four years, we've been able to grow this population of students, uh, from nine out of every 20 students that have at least 90%. We've been able to grow that to 13 and we maintain that the last couple years. Um, so we're growing the the these uh this
020uh population of students that are getting close to that very high standard that we have set. So, that's exciting. in regard to to uh determining progress toward the goal. Our district has really been able to maintain the growth that we have been making. Um I think that's notable. We've been able to maintain. So we're not seeing any backslide here and we're continuing to grow the numbers like I said of the students that are that are approaching our very high standard. And with that um I am determining that we are continuing to make progress in this goal. Um and one thing that is that I just feel it's so important that I share with the board is there's something special that you will not find in our data. Um and it is the excitement um the
021culture that is uh is growing the innovation that is happening and so I want to share more qualitative um um data with you and this is a picture of a bracket um and so student services does a wonderful job uh hosting a PBIS which is positive behavior intervention and supports Um, and it's a PLT, right? Like an acronym on an acronym. Uh, which is the prof professional learning team. And what we have is leaders from uh schools all across our district that come together and they discuss and share, right? And they collaborate. They discuss things like attendance and discipline and they share ideas. They discuss concerns that they have that they're um and it is a place of growth. Well, this one particular meeting um the principal at McKinley uh elementary uh Amanda Vorhees and
022there's was this profound moment um that kind of took place. She shared this innovation that had started at McKenley and it was the March Madness attendance tournament. And so most of us can uh are familiar with March Madness for basketball and the brackets that come out. and they had created this uh atmosphere of competitiveness. And so uh classrooms are competing against one another and they're using data, our district data, the daily average attendance data, uh to compete. And every time that uh each week, every time that a one class outperforms another, they advance in the bracket and they advance in the tournament uh all in hopes to make it to the finals and win that that nifty uh trophy up on the corner there. And what we have seen is the impact has been such
023excitement and engagement around attendance at this particular school. And so uh many of our other schools heard that and they have uh stole it and they're starting their own types of tournaments. Um it also increased schoolwide focus on attendance and created a lot of energy moving in the in the right direction. There's no way that I could show you how excited these kids get when they win. So I had to show you. Uh please watch this video which w with me. fa. Hey, it's the end of the week and I want to show you um how our attendance went this week. You guys did a fantastic job. Let's take a look at our March Madness bracket and see who's moving on to the round next week. So, Vitrio had 97.8% for attendance rate and Reyes
024just barely beat her with 98.1%. So congratulations Reyes will be moving on. Laura's um classroom had 90.4% and Rodamoker's class had 93.7%. So Mrs. Roacher's class will be moving on. [Music] [Applause] You know what I want to share is just um this means something to our kids, right? To be able to uh set a focus, all work together, work toward a goal, celebrate that goal together. Um that's the the environments that this goal is really trying to capture. Um and there's powering competition. uh putting our our kids in a position to compete um and uh and to celebrate their competition is is wonderful. The last thing I want to share with the board, I can go back to the slides. Okay. The last thing I wanted to share with the board is uh we are
025looking forward to um the the strategic plan refresh uh student services myself gets to lead in this space um for the refresh. Um and there's a couple things I want to call out. Uh first is we are so thankful for the foundation that our current plan has has set. um trans the transition from the road map to the compass uh was was so good for our district and so we're we're really thankful for the direction that we get to continue in. Um, also we are excited to um hear from our community. To have students give input um on the next iteration of of our strategic plan is is very powerful. And I think we're most um excited about the uh looking forward in into finding if there's still some fine-tuning that needs to happen, right?
026Where do we still have some misalignment where we can bring some alignment? um and that and and and kind of do that really fine-tuning and that would cure for our district and set a course for the next six years. We're just really excited about that. And with that, I just thank you for the opportunity to be able to share with you and uh I would uh love to hear any comments or if there's any questions. >> Any questions for members of the board? Not necessarily any questions because this is relatively recently that we've seen this data before. But I just want to thank you Omar for um taking this on and making sure that the board has consistent data to review and looking forward to the refresh. um looking forward to how the refresh affects
027this particular goal. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Another any other questions or comments from members of the board? Thank you so much, Omar, for presentation. Superintendent Green, >> I just want to make sure Omar, while you have a chance, do you want to recognize members of your team that has helped with this process? >> Yes, absolutely. So um this goal is is heavily monitored and uh and uh we have a wonderful team of Aaron Thomas uh who leads our student services team. Um uh the assistant director in that department is Sean Norinsky and uh they are heavily monitoring attendance and and uh and you know we're so thankful for leadership um and they're they're just a wonderful team. So thank you know thank you and thank you to the board for
028listening tonight. The next item on the agenda is the summer 2025 program highlights with executive director of teaching and learning Hector Mendes presenting. >> Can you hear me? There we go. Thank you for this opportunity. Uh to start it off, uh would you mind playing the video, Barb? I'm just joking. There is no video. Omar talked about competition and I thought I've got to >> I thought that's a good one. I can't It's hard to follow up on a great presentation that way. So, I'm sorry Barb, if I startled you. >> You just scared Barb to death. >> My name is My name is Ector Mendes, uh, executive director. Uh, welcome Vice President Venova, members of the board, superintendent Dr. Green, uh, members of cabinet. I'm ex very excited to share an update with our
029summer programs. Uh we did have a successful program which I'll get into uh right now. And so uh our summer programs, I'll get into the the dates and times. We'll get into that in just a little bit, but I want to let you know that we we ran a great summer program that started with preschool all the way through high school. And the preschool, I'll get into that in just a little bit. Um but I'm going to start off with the bullets at the top. 21st century. We have a 21st century grant which Yakma school district coordinates with ESD. We have a grant, a partnership together. uh it's through the 21st century grant that we are providing before and after school services but also part of that is we have to provide a summer program.
030So we have five schools participate in that at MLK and also Lewis and Clark was part of that uh the middle school. The second bullet there is uh we had we held our migrant summer program like we have in years past. Uh and this is where the preschool program comes in. Uh last year we did a pilot with ESD and it was Yakma and Wapto and I I I mentioned that last year. I know it's been a long time since I mentioned it, but it was last year when I mentioned it. So this is year two. Uh we had we identified 38 students that were migratory students who were going to be starting kindergarten this year. And so we had two migrant advocates who worked who I we helped identify the 38 students and families.
031And through the month of July, they met with each student and family once once a week for the entire month of July. And so the focus is on math, reading, and social emotional really getting prepared. So what we did is developed a kit uh if you will, uh materials, books, supplies that we provided them. And then we we not we taught the kids, the students, but in reality, we're actually teaching the parents how they can support their kids at home to prepare for the kinder. Uh and so then with that information that we gathered, we actually about two weeks ago sent that information on to the kindergarten teachers. So now they have access to that information and they have a better understanding of where our migratory student kids are at. So that's with 38 students.
032Uh third bullet there was a high school credit retrieval. We use our Kexus online for students and I'll get into the data here in a little bit. We had a special education extended school year that was also held at uh MLK. I need to tell you that a couple years back uh we ended up condensing schools and what I mean by that is it was pretty common practice for schools who were providing summer programs to have a summer program at each site that became very costly. So what we did is we condensed MLK was one of those schools where we had extended school year for special ed uh special education a migratory uh migrant program and also 21st century. Then at the middle school we had Washington and uh LC Newton Clark I'll get into
033this in a little bit. They provided Gear Up uh Gear Up and the 21st century program in which Nomi presented last month on Gear Up and so I just wanted to mention that because another school coming up is our third grade lap which is a fifth bullet down. Uh our lab our learning assistance program was held at Roosevelt which is another site and so we had third graders there that were invited based on data students who were not making progress uh well behind. We invited them during the last conference parent teacher conference invited students to attend. Then uh lastly we have a K8 Stanton Yakma online also provide service summer program as a gear up like I mentioned before. The important thing about the reason we all do this is not not only academic we
034know that that there's a gap a learning gap that happens but there's that emotional as well that touch that we have as educators. our students during the long summer break, our students that need the extra help are getting the help and I wish more would attend and I'll get into that in a little bit, but we do provide in Yakama uh that with caring adults, right? Adults that really want to see kids learn and move them forward. Uh lastly, I'd like to say that our program, we did provide breakfast and lunch at the sites as well as transportation. So, I'd like to thank our nutrition and our transportation department for their support in making all this happen because it is tricky. It's it's a lot. Um but we made it work. So one of the
035schools I'll talk about uh I've only got a few slides to present so is our 21st century uh as I mentioned before which is in coordination with ESD. So, our 21st century program, we invited students from the five elementary schools, and I'll get into that in the next slide, and also one middle school, like I mentioned, Lewis and Clark. And a total of 457 students attended uh the summer program through the 21st century. And I hone in on that because of our migrant, being that I'm in charge of the migrant program, our migrant students also participated with the 21st century, right? And so, we had 200, we invited 223, I take that back. We registered 223 migrant students and of those 146 attended. The reality is we invited all migratory students, all migrant students uh
036at the elementary just like we did last year and the intent is is to support those migrant students because because they are there's a lot of movement that could be involved and so always trying to close that gap. Our summer school at the bottom there uh we ran summer school from June 23rd through July 18th. They were half days except for the migrant program. We did because of our migrant grant, our summer grant. We pushed that all day till 3:30. It was Monday through Friday minus June or July 4th, which is a Friday. And again, it's it's worthy to mention that breakfast and lunch were provided as well as transportation. So, little data with our 21st century and migrant. Uh you can see the five schools on the top right that were invited. We had
037Garfield with 72 students, Hoover 73, Adams 49, McKinley 42, Ridgeview 49, and where it says other is because we invited other student migrant students from other schools, right? And that makes up the the rest. And in our math, we had uh we used a math program called Math for Love. Math for Love uh is a unique program. It's it's a lot of game, but it's learning through game that were really aligned with the guaranteed standards that we have here in Yakama. I work directly with 21st century with the ESD program and uh the mig I mean it's important that we all know that the guaranteed standards were aligned to all the lessons in math and literacy during the summer program. So there's a through line all the way through uh for our learning. So there
038was a an increase of 42 or 22 and a half% in math and a 15% in literacy. It's also important to note that we also had dual and non-dual classrooms during this time. So, it's important that we continue the students that were receiving dual instruction received it during the summer as well. Here's a big one. Our middle school, high school, our summer programs across the top, we have our schools that participated. Davis High School, Eisenhower, Stanton, Yakma Online, Open Doors, and I apologize for the acronyms. LCMS, Lewis and Clark Middle School, uh, and then WHAMS, which is Washington Middle School, and then totals along the left side. I I wanted to to note the students that did register, but more importantly, the students that attended. And there's always a discrep there's always we always invite
039students and there's always reasons why and everyone gets excited when we start registering kids for summer school in late April early May things happen between then and the start of summer school which is two months later so we always register more kids and it's it's it just happens um but so we had our registers uh registered students attended courses completed credits completed and then our graduates before I move on to the totals if you look at Louiswis and Clark middle below Washington Middle School. It's important to note at the very bottom the number of students that were able to complete Washington State history at the middle school and it saves those kids some time from taking it at the high school. So, we started we gave them a little early start if you will and
040that's always exciting to see Washington State history. Um, so we got a little head start and they get a credit for that. But if you look all the way across our totals in a middle school high school, the students that registered were a little over 1,500 students. those that attended little over or 900 courses completed 1,761 and in credits completed was 1,245 and a half. I want to I want to thank our our vice principles at both comprehensive high schools and Natalie over at Stanton and many many others who really honed in on the when kids finished a credit and Kexus they had a quick time that they'd receive an email letting them know that they finished a course and would would jump them into the next course. And so it took a lot of
041time for uh Ruby Amiko over at at uh Ike and Jill Seeka over at Davis to keep uh to keep on top of this. It's a task and they did a great job. And so what's more important is that last that bottom row we were able to graduate because of our summer program an additional 17 students because of all the credits and courses. And that always bring me tears even saying that again uh because that's a that's a good number 17 students. Had we not had it that's the 17 less students Yakma would have. So, lastly, I like to show pictures. Uh, and I left it with uh oh, oh, there they are. Um, summer school photos. And so, the first picture here on the far left is our fourth grade is during the steam
042project over at MLK. And they're working with circuits. It's hard to read. I I wish I can blow that up, but it's really they're they're making flashlights. Nothing better. It's super enjoyable to watch kids build something, especially in grade four. Um the middle picture is Kawichi Blueberry Farm. We did a lot of steam projects, STEM projects in summer school that related to plants and growth. And so it's always fun to watch kids not only learn it in the classroom, but now look how it actually applies in real life, right? So we take them to the Kawichi blueberry farm. Um and so we send our our students there, our migratory students, and they learn um for about 30 minutes what it takes to protect what is needed for plants, obviously the sun, the nutrients and growth
043and so forth, but also protection. It's hard to see there, but there's a net. And uh I was told that there was the kids actually got to see the net to use, birds trying to get in. And so we learned about that in steam. The last picture is steam the spin the top spinners and more about the energy energy and motion and what what energy motion does especially with with spinners and so fun activities. Uh that is a brief uh quick update on our summer school program. I can tell you it was successful program uh all the way through from preschool all the way through the high school. Lastly, I'll I'll end with any questions. >> Any questions or comments for members of the board? >> Thank you, Hector. Um, I always look forward to
044the summer school report. Um, because a lot of times this is a place where those kids who are a little bit behind can catch up. Um, the numbers of the of attendees um were better than what we've seen in past years. Did your staff um have an opportunity to kind of debrief and look at ways to improve that attendance? >> Oh, to improve attendance. >> You know, we did debrief, but not to the point where I think we're talking about we did debrief. That still needs to happen um with the summer school. Um as I said at the onset, it'd be nice to have more students participate in summer school, right? And we get them early. They register. We get people to register. Things happen within those two months. Yeah. >> Life happens. I understand
045that. But um if there if if there are touch points or um suggestions for improving that attendance or reaching out and bringing those kids in who maybe thought they found something else to do during summer school. Um, I understand that for some of these kids there are there there are places that they need to be for their famil family's purposes rather than summer school, but um it seems to me that there that maybe to have some plans in place for reaching out to them might be helpful. >> Yeah. Yeah. And please know when when summer school starts, we do make phone calls to all those that registered trying to get them in. And so we did we were successful in some areas but not not the closing gap but thank you for that. Yeah. Well
046point taken. >> Any other questions or comments? Thank you so much. >> Next on the end on the agenda is updates. Are there any um updates from members of the board? Yes, I have an update for um general assembly which is coming up this Saturday. It's a virtual assembly this year. Um, over the weekend you received the voting guide tool that will let me know um your input on how you you would suggest voting for certain for the all of the elements >> in in the um general assembly. So, I will need that information back by Thursday so that I can um get that those things in order and uh have that ready for first thing bright and early Saturday morning. Um if you have any questions about that, give me a call. Um it's
047very helpful to have those that kind of information before I go in to the assembly. And it is loaded the tool in addition to um to the tool that I sent you over the weekend. It's also loaded here in board docs. So you can access it that way. I think it's probably a readonly file in board docs. No. Okay. Um, you have the readwrite file that I sent you. So, either one, just let me know. >> Any other updates for members of the board? Uh, next on the agenda is superintendent's updates for Jen Green. >> Thank you. And I'll move rather quickly. Um, first of first of all, I'd just like to acknowledge our leadership changes. We do have a an upcoming meeting at at Davis, a board meeting at Davis. And at that meeting,
048we will be introducing the building level uh changes that have happened in the administrative realm. Uh, but for right now, we'd like to share with you tonight the changes that have happened here in central office. So, we certainly know about two of them that are at the table. Uh, the never going or or never ending uh tour of Dr. Larson, Dr. Chris Larson, and Dr. Bria Lucero. Um, I will say that they are not replacing people. We never really replace people. Had so much experience that was here, but they are coming in and making the position their own. A big shout out to Stacy Lock that I'm sure is watching right now at home, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. And then we would like to acknowledge and just have if they would come up
049and uh introduce themselves. So, I'd like to have uh uh Christy come up, uh Rose come up, and let me see. Oh, yes. Terry Davidson, please. Could I have the three of you come up, please? And then just uh name and u uh position and stay standing until you're grilled. >> There we go. I'm Christy Kirk and I am accountant and procurement program manager. >> Hi, I am Teresa Davidson. Terry Davidson. I am a new executive director and I am lucky enough to also have um participated in the hiring process for our new who might also have the longest title here tribal sovereignty and native student achievement TOSA. And I'll let Rose introduce herself. uh claw ink tamashu. My English name is Rose George Whitefoot. I'm a citizen of Yakamation. Um yeah, my title I
050wrote I wrote it down. Um so I'm the tribal sovereignty native student achievement toa. Um, so I just want to welcome you all to the homelands of uh, Yakama Nation and just thank you all for the work that you do as a first generation high school and college grad. Your efforts are definitely appreciated. Thank you. >> Wonderful. Could we please have you remain there? Do we have Kristen? Would you like to please take a photo of our new central services uh, personnel? So please, Chris and Maria, would you join the team over there? And then I'll say a few more words. While they're getting the photo ready, I might just say that now. I think the first order of business rose might be to retitle your position. I don't know how that happened, but uh
051we'll take a definite look at that. That's that's quite a mouthful. Um while they're getting ready, I would just uh mention that Christy Kirk, accounting and procurement program manager. Uh in that role previously, we did see Carl Easter and Monet Dennis. Uh so um it's a combination and has been expanded. And then with Rose Whitefoot, we had Mariah Lols in that position prior, but we have elevated the position uh because of the uh opportunity to expand the impact of working with our native students, and that is all done through the native funding that comes uh through the federal government. So, we're very excited to have Rose with us as well. All right, look at that powerhouse. Thank you. Could we get a hand for the for the group there? Thank you. The the next item
052that I'd like to share with you is uh accessible in your document in the superintendent update and it is the mobile market summary and this is with our partnership gives you kind of some details about our partnership with uh Northwest Harvest. um they send out an impact uh form about events that they host. And in this one, you can see that the impact of the volunteer work that has happened with Northwest Harvest resulted in 350 families receiving groceries, the meals that were provided, the people that it took, and the hours as well. So, we certainly want to acknowledge uh the wonderful opportunity and partnership that we have with Northwest Harvest. And anytime we can give back to one of our partners, it does become a true partnership. And that's what we're really trying to build
053is to make sure that we are um not on always on the receiving end of the benefit, but that we can certainly give. And when we are giving, we know that that's really the one thing that benefits uh both the giver and the receiver. Next, I'd like to share with you uh uh uh some information about the Seattle Sounders. So, I believe you'll be able to see some photos here in just a moment. Uh, I was notified uh a little over a week ago that the Ray Foundation for the Seattle Sounders had an offer for a couple of our schools and um we were able there it is right there. And so very quickly over the course of a week both Julio Sanchez from Hoover and Steve Brownlow from Garfield, both elementary schools were able
054to mobilize uh and um involve their their their parents and staff and certainly students. Uh the Ray Foundation donated 100 tickets to each of the two schools uh along with uh uh four charter buses to fully paid for by the Ray Foundation. Uh we did have a bit of a snafu with one of the charter buses not showing. So a big shout out to our transportation department and Art and his work. He was able to uh backfill that spot and we're very excited about uh the opportunity that the kids had. So, I have had both reports from Steve Brownlow and Julio Sanchez uh who are just elated about uh the impact that it's had so early in the year of them able to to benefit. So, certainly want to make the board aware of our
055Sounders trip that uh was pulled off successfully on Saturday. Uh the strategic plan update was mentioned by Omar. So, that kickoff uh took place uh a little over a week and a half ago. Um we are now set to have the different core teams meet on their own timeline. Uh it will go from five goals to four goals. Uh we are always looking to expand uh the involvement. So that work is still ongoing especially to make sure that we have uh um not just sufficient but ample uh student uh involvement in that. And I know that we have at least one board member I'm looking at Martha right now who did uh take part in I believe it was Omar's group. So the group that he's leading in conjunction with Aaron. So it's really Aaron's
056group, but we'll say Omar. Uh and then also Kristen Fitter is there as well. We all know Omar. Uh next, um I just want to share some additional information about what's happening at the state level. Uh the OSPI House Bill 2049 uh OSPI task force is kicking off tomorrow and that was part of that House Bill 2049 uh with a intent to have a 2-year um recommendation within two years on a different financial structure for the state. Um so I'm interested to see what will happen with the kickoff. Um everybody is welcome for the first I believe the first session which is tomorrow and then beyond that it is by invitation only. Um so we do have uh several superintendents that are participating in that. Unfortunately I am not part of that group or fortunately
057I am part not part of that group. So as you remember we have three different state groups that are focused on the financial um um issue and trying to come up with a solution. Uh the one group is the the soups uh superintendent uh united um uh focusing on the financial and that was a first to start in 2024. It has uh evolved to uh grow to more than 20 superintendents and has gained the attention and being recognized at the state level. Um both Kelly Armachi and I are are running that group and we do have another session which will take place the day before our WASDA uh session in Seattle. So that's our next meeting. We've had three legislators appear at that at those sessions so far. The thing that we acknowledge and that
058we do lack with that group is we don't have the um political um player on that group that can really drive it. So it truly is a grassroots uh organization but we are doing some some good things about sharing information and and growing together and working with the legislators that do come. The second group is the uh was formed by uh representative Tamiko Santos uh who is the chair of the house head committee. uh she after meeting with us um coincidentally or maybe not so coincidentally uh formed a group called the big idea group and that group is not just focused on the financial piece but it's looking at all structures of education uh that does have a uh a participatory group of around 30 plus individuals that is both national and uh regional in
059the state uh and in that group I am the only superintendent in the state that's uh representing that group uh the third is the OSPI which has um um many superintendents and um many other uh representatives from other organizations uh including our um labor uh units across the state and lobbyists. So uh that does kick off tomorrow. Chris Reich Raikdoll has shared that uh the goal is to have that completed in about a year and a half, but there is a two-year goal and it is uh unfortunately uh already contingent upon state funding. So that has been called out and we all know that that uh has continued to be a barrier especially at a time where our constitution does call for uh ample funding of public education as the paramount duty um and yet
060it keeps falling by the wayside. So at this point I'd like to pass the baton here for a moment to um Bob no uh to share some public request information. This was requested from our board president. Uh so this will be uh well I'll let him go ahead and continue. >> Thank you. Uh good evening board. So in recent conversations with President Beckett, he and I were speaking about public records requests and how our office is processing those. me thought it might be a good idea if we reported to the board on a periodic basis the number of requests we receive year-to- date and then how many open qu requests there are. So we've been striving to try to keep the open request number down to a single digit. We've been pretty successful with that.
061But sometimes we get some requests are really preunctery. we can just resolve them very quickly but some of them are broad and very expansive and they take time. So we thought that reporting on a regular basis maybe once a month to the board and as part of your documents before you you'll see a kind of a line graph that shows the total number of requests and then our thinking is that we show the total number of requests and the total number open with each report. Um, I don't know if there's any other information you would like beyond that. If if so, just let me know. We can modify the report to include that. >> Can I ask a clarifying question? Um, I know that there are some districts, uh, especially on the west side, that
062have been swamped with public records requests from time to time to the point where one small district over on the peninsula nearly went bankrupt because of the requests, number of requests that they had received. and nearly all of which were just ownorous in the information that they wanted. Um, in order to respond to those requests, not only did they um report those to the board, um, they also put up a spreadsheet on their website for it. It listed the name of the person requesting, what it is that they requested, the date, and when it when they closed out the um request or if they closed out the request. I'm wondering if um that would be something that we might consider is to just post those so that the public has access to that information in
063a written form as well as uh you know on camera where they may or may not watch it watch our just energizing board meetings. So, the state in 2017 created the joint um legislative audit and accountability office that basically has requested that any entity within the state that spends over $100,000 a year processing public records requests have to report the information to the state. So we've been doing that for the last couple of years reporting that information. We don't track by the name of the requester and I you know I could maybe I can give it some consideration but in the spirit of the uh public record act it basically wants us to not inquire into who the people are what their intention is. You know it's open records. are public records that are open
064and available to anybody. Um, if you start identifying requesters, people maybe, maybe not, or maybe so, but people may start to inquire about the motive for the request. Um, I rather avoid that if possible because, as I say, you're not supposed to really inquire into the motive for the request. >> I'm not asking for the motive, but I think isn't it public information? those who request public records. >> Uh yes, that is public information. So, as a matter of policy, if the board wanted to have us produce that information, we could. But, uh my just general thinking about it off the cuff here, I think I think uh I'd want to honor the spirit of the law that you just process the request regardless of who the requesttor is. Um >> the other thing that
065we could do is um maybe you know I know you didn't mention the district and I'm not sure to which district you're referring but uh another option would be to um ascertain the name of the district and find out um how that has worked out and what the impetus was and and what the results were. So rather than just jumping in without knowing, uh, do some research and then we can come back and and and revisit and I I think Bob might maintain the same stance, but then we'd have some more knowledge about whether they've seen a change and how they've, you know, why they went that route and what was the motivation and what was the result. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Sound good. So we can get that we'll get that from you afterwards.
066There is one additional piece of information that I think would be helpful in the public records request data and that's the number of record of requests that were completed um within the timelines provided. Um and so that that may be 100% of the ones that were processed, but it's not clear that the ones we got were completed in a timely manner within whatever the law requires. >> We could do that. The way the law works is when you receive a request within five days you have to respond to it. So you either produce the document or documents or you produce a reasonable time period by which you think you can complete it. So we generally will make an analysis of how long we think it will take us to complete it and then we provide
067that to the requesttor. Um the nature of some of these is sometimes you you do them in installments and sometimes we have to extend those those deadlines. There's no hard and fast rule on how many days uh an entity can take to process what's what's reasonable. But uh I could tell you whether we meet our initial estimates our first estimate on time timely response. Yeah, I think in the past the district has not always been in compliance and so um so really it's just number in compliance. So regardless of how long it takes I guess if it's not a specific number but just in compliance completed um and completed. Does that make sense? Because that there has been a discrepancy there in the past. >> We can do that. >> Yeah. >> All right. And
068then um the last item that I have is just is to call out that as as as stewards of our district resources, it's continually our our responsibility to maintain and improve facilities so that they remain an asset for our community. And as you may recall several years ago um when I I came on board and um as I I remember still Anthony speaking several times, Mr. from Maretta about the deferred maintenance that continues to grow and continues to be an expense and you know having been I'm looking over at Chris now where she came from the Highline school district where there's a capital facilities division uh staff to the brim uh as you have a community that is regularly passing uh levies and bonds every couple of years and we have been very blessed in
069our community to be a levy passing community and uh we've had a more challenging situation when we look at our bonds. Um, but our schools really aren't just for the community or for the students are they they are community centers. They're the heartbeat. They serve youth programs, civic programs, neighborhood events, and it's uh the facilities are really about the future of Yakama and and what we want for our students. And I I mentioned this just to call out that um in 2223 we did have a SEFAC committee that analyzed the facilities and came up with an extended plan at that time of what it could look like as far as uh potential bond packages in the future. I will be sharing that with you, re re-sharing that with you in the coming weeks to uh
070daylight the work that had happened under um our u previous uh uh deputy superintendent Rob Darling prior to Stacy and doing that work and the people that were involved and what that looks like as far as the recommendation for modernization of schools and other uh components around our our district. Uh more recently in uh 2024 and extending into this year, we've had the uh fact group and that is the facility uh group that is again looking at uh potential um long-term consolidation if there is a continued attrition. Now, I need to be clear, uh, there is definitely no plan to consolidate, but I I do think it's it's prudent to make sure that we have things mapped out, which was why the the the the committee was started to take a look at that and
071recognizing that you had more and more districts around uh the state that were going that route. Through the course of the fact uh team, uh what was also done was the validation of the SEFAC work. And so they did take an intense look at what had been proposed prior and it was again then verified or approved uh by that committee uh as far as the plan. And um some more recommendations then came forward on what a potential bond could look like at some point in the future. And I think one of the things that uh was probably I think it was called out in both was just the need when we look at and I'm just sharing one need that we have as a district would be uh the the modernization and ADA compliance of
072our playgrounds at the elementary level. So, um, when we're looking at, uh, uh, at access or denying access, that certainly does become an issue and, um, we're certainly looking at ways to avoid, uh, being dictated to do something when we can certainly involve the community to do what's right. So, just a a reminder of that work that had happened previously around um long-term bond planning and and just the uh commitment to resurface that uh first CFAC uh uh group data and then report out on our FAT committee once that does conclude. Are there any questions that I can answer? Okay, perfect. Thank you. Next on the agenda is highlights for community engagement. Kristen, are you >> Oh, yes. Sorry, Superintendent Green. >> It's me. >> Um the the highlights that we we have, I mean,
073now that school has has started and we've had the open houses, um we're really going down now into this kind of uh hitting our stride and u you know, marching forward with um the regular sports activities that we do have. So, believe it or not, the the big event that we have right now, uh, looking forward is for our board to start the the their site visitations, and we're looking forward to that first site visitation, uh, at 4 p.m. October 6th at Davis High School. That'll be, again, that's going to be where we recognize our uh, building administrators. It's also uh, uh, the time, the month that we do recognize our our principles and our assistant principles. Uh as far as other events, we'll continue to update that because we do know that um uh
074over the course of uh uh I I believe that I saw on the 19th we have and uh just by chance when I'm looking at the at the u uh the uh notifications that go out to staff from their principal about the week, the weekly uh flyer. Uh, I'm excited to see that Adams has a family night, a movie night that's starting that's on the 19th and and I know that there are many more that I'm leaving out, but I I did want to call that out because those movie night events at the elementary level uh are truly and you'll see that if you if you were to attend one of those do involve the entire community and it's just a a wonderful opportunity to see an area come together around a school and use
075that as the hub that I was talking about. But currently we're just looking at that Davis uh opportunity for the board and then uh we'll share any other uh relevant uh dates with you at that time. >> Next is comments from the public on agenda items and we have two uh individuals who've signed up. First is Phyllis Bunker Frank talking about summer school. I'm Phyllis Bunker Frank, the legal name and the the name I respond to most quickly. I'm a former school board member uh local and state board member but I'm here as a citizen who has followed uh public policy in terms of public education p all education of students in our area and um what brought me here tonight was the agenda item on summer school. Summer school has been supplementary learning in
076summer school has been um an issue for many many years and Martha thank you for commenting on it. Uh we have 15,000 plus students. We have 90 80% um low income to see that we are providing summer school for 400 and I'm sorry Hector I don't have the exact number again I had it written down but our numbers when you look at the number of kids that are low income the total number of student population and what we're actually providing it has not changed much in the probably more than 20 years that I've been following supplementary learning. And so I'm asking the board to consider this year uh to look as the budget gets developed to look for a line item on supplementary learning. it typically has not been there. uh hard to find and
077I can understand it when you're relying on supplementary dollars, foundations, um federal dollars, pot of funding, but still if it's there's evidence that it's going to be there and these are the sources and what we can expect because the numbers of students that are invited and when in the year they are invited and the number that show up um it really hasn't changed much in the last 20 years and I have a whole file I can share about that but please pay attention to it board members and the last day of summer school was July uh 23rd was it >> 20 okay 17th there are still five weeks between the last day of summer school and when school started. And so I'm wondering what has happened. You didn't have a chance to see the slide
078on pre-est and post test. There's definitely growth. I would want to know if I were still a board member. I would want to know after five weeks after that post test and we're back in school if some of those children or all of those children that were present for pre and post testing are maintaining that achievement continuing to grow. Let's let's get to the connection uh that you talked about as well in goal two and I'm pleased to see that there's a new strategic plan and I'd like to find a place for a seat on one of those committees. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh the next uh individual uh sign up for comments is Vicky Dwight to speak about presentations. [Music] >> Good evening. I'm Vicki Dwight, former teacher YE president back
079in the day. And I just want to say how excited I was to hear Omar and Hector's uh presentations tonight. First of all, the transparency that and they talked about the barriers that are out there because I hang out with a lot of non educator people these days, old old people who don't out there in the community that don't understand the barriers that are out there, you know, and not helping our kids learn. They think that they come 180 days, they're there every day and that's not happening. And so I just like the transparency that you're still looking into that and you're still working on it because I think people appreciate that. Not everything's perfect. So we're we're always work it's always about getting better. So thank you. Um, also excited about the affective domain
080that you I'm all about that you know I'm kind of about the cognitive that I know that's pretty cool but the affective because we all know first their hearts and then their heads and also their interests in the STEM has always been an interest for the kids. I've seen kids that would not do very well in the eighth grade and then come in driver's ed and wow, they're super students. Or they show up in YV Tech when I would sub there um after I after I retired and the kids that didn't do very well in middle school, boy, you got them in one of those programs where it was handon. It was great. So, thank you very much. Uh, and the other the other thing, um, talking about some of your dual language, I'm not
081I am not a a an expert on that, but I'm working on my third language, which is Vietnamese, because my granddaughters are Vietnamese. And their schools over there, they have fun. So, it's again going back to having fun in the classroom. those kids, those fourth graders come up to me and they only get like one or two hours of English a day, but they come up and they all want to talk to me because they assume I speak English, which I do. Um, and so not very well. That's probably not my best language, but again, the fun that's involved and I just I was excited to hear that that that's being added to the classroom more and more. Thanks. >> Thank you. Uh, next we have the consent agenda. The consent agenda enables the board
082of directors to efficiently deal with matters that have been delegated to the superintendent, but by law must be approved by the board. Items on the consent agenda are voted upon as one block and approved with one vote. Any board member has the right to remove any item from the consent agenda from the consent agenda for separate discussion and actions. I will entertain a motion that the board of directors approves the consent agenda as submitted. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second that the board of directors approves the consent agenda. Is there any discussion? >> Could you read the topics that are included in the consent agenda? >> Yes. Uh the consent agenda includes approval of minutes for August 2025, notification of approval of warrants for August 2025, approval of personnel
083actions, approval of out of endorsement assignments for the 202526 school year and interlocal agreements. Is there any other discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> um nos objections opposed. Opposed or uh >> Abstensions. I'm going to write that down. I always forget. I don't know why. Opposed and abstension. Okay. Uh motion carries uh 4 Z. Next on the agenda are approvals. First is approval of the Yakama School District CTE Carl D. Perkins grant application and four-year strategic plan for YSD CTE for the 2526 school year and Dr. Christina Larson, deputy superintendent presenting. So um there is that proposal and then the one that follows is very similar. So would you like me to talk about them together or to talk about them separately? They'll be approved separately, but would you like me to
084just to talk about each one separately then? >> Oh, I think you can talk about them all together and take individual actions. >> So, these are very similar proposals. one is focusing on our Yakama School District CTE programming and the um Carl Perkins grant that is going to be um funding some additional um programming and technology connected to our CTE programming that is separate from the YV Tech programming. So, the one that will um be supporting our Yakama school district CTE programming that you would see in many of our high schools would um be is the grant that is uh for $253,573. And then similarly, um YVT Tech also has a Carl D. Perkins grant application and which is used for the same kinds of things programming and technology and the amount that would go
085to YBT is 95,174 um dollars. These um proposals are basically to get board approval which is a requirement of receiving the grant funds. And so um annually these come before you and it takes um document documented um approval by the board for um the grant application to be completed and then for the funds to be allocated out to the district. um for the uh purposes of informing our folks who are watching. CTE is career and technical education. Correct. >> Yes. Career and technical education. So these are all the kinds of programming that students um get involved in that actually help give them um um world career job um types of experiences so that they can explore what they might want to pursue in the future for their careers. >> And these are federal funds. How
086confident are we that that money is actually there? >> Bonnie is nodding her head emphatically. So the money is there. >> All right. Thank you >> for this year. For this this year that Yes. Yeah. >> Was there any other questions or comments from from the board? I'll entertain a motion that the board of directors approve the Yakama School District CTE Carl Le Perkins grant application and four-year strategic plan for YSD career technical education for the 2526 school year bringing in 253,573. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Absention. Motion carries 4 Z. I will uh entertain a motion. Um this is part of the review that uh Dr. Larson just provided. I'll entertain a motion that the
087board of directors approve the Yakimma Valley Technical Center Carl D. Perkins grant application and four-year strategic plan for YSD career technical education for the 2526 school year bringing in $95,174. >> So moved. >> Second. I have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed extension. Motion carries 4 Z. Thank you. The next approval is uh for travel uh for the superintendent to two upcoming conferences in February 2026. Dr. Green. >> Uh thank you, Vice President Veneeva. The requested motion is for approval to two upcoming conferences. the estimated amount. This is an overestimation, but it is at $6,700. I will overshare some of the information just to make sure that those who are watching and the public are aware of some of the rationale for attending uh conferences out
088of state. As the board is aware, I'm not one to travel much out of state, usually once a year, usually at one conference. It does it it does happen that this year there are two that are coinciding within a couple of days from each other. One is the heads and principles association which is in uh Durham, North Carolina, the booming metropolis right there by Hawaii. So it's going to be a tremendous vacation. Not uh but that that is a wonderful opportunity to partner with thought leaders uh make sure that we are connecting around issues at the federal level. It does include both um private school entities uh more more um more directly uh a lot of boarding schools and day schools but then also public schools. So it's the only collaboration where the two do
089come together. Uh very high level of planetary uh presenters and discussions that do happen at that conference. The second is the AASA which is national superintendent conference. Um, as part of that conference, uh, I am, as you are aware, on the governing board for AASA, one of, uh, a few representatives in the state, uh, which, uh, did pay for the travel this summer, uh, fully to attend and do some advocacy work around the frozen funding in the title situation, uh, in July. Uh, the first day of that, uh, session is paid for by the, um, advocacy portion of being on the governance committee. uh the other days are not. However, we do have a partnership with the University of Washington, as you're well aware, not only in the um legislative area, but separately uh serving
090on the ambassador board for the University of Washington, I was able to connect with Dr. Min's son, who at the time I learned had uh she presented to the advisory board, and I learned that she had just acquired around $15 million from uh a fund to uh uh look into and delve more fully into AI and the support of our educators uh around I AI. And I have to really look out there and credit uh I think I'm going to credit Andy Gonzalez with his work around that. He's our remaining sole individual that is working on the implementation of that. Then we are rolling out um that work and uh there have been several um training sessions around what is called colleague AI and as part of that she did put in for a presentation
091at that conference and so we found out yesterday that u uh it was accepted so presenting would be Dr. Sun uh Dr. Kelly Armaki, ironically from superintendent from uh Belleview School District and myself would join her and uh we are in conversations now to see what type of funding she has offered uh funding and she is looking on her end to see what can be done to support that as well. So uh I would be happy to report out uh after the fact of what the actual cost would be because again this is an estimate. there are about two days in between the two conferences would be fully funded by me and hotel it would be so that I wouldn't have to come back and then fly again and additional cost to the district so
092there's saving there as well and there's no other uh travel plan for before that or after that so I would um ask you to entertain and ask any questions about the conferences >> any questions for members of the board I'll entertain a motion that the board of directors approve superintendent Trevor agreeing to travel to two upcoming conferences, heads and principles and AASA National Conference February 3rd to 14, 2026 for an estimated amount of $6,700. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Motion carries 4 Z. And we've arrived at a second opportunity for comments from the public. And we have uh Steve McKenna uh here to talk about finances. >> Excuse me. >> Testing. Okay. Um my name
093is Steve McKenna. I'm a former YA president. I retired from the Yakama school district. I'm also uh like to look at the funding aspects of our district. Um as a taxpayer, I know that funding is really important. I know that um I also know that the Yakama school districts had three riffs in two years and we've had to use the levy as collateral for a TAN which is due this December um 4.6 6 million that um then um I'm concerned that um uh I sat down with Mr. Cooper um the superintendent was double scheduled and so he was not able to attend with his assistant um and Francis Guerrero um to discuss the information that I sent the board members um to show you exactly what I'm talking about that um and what I'm concerned
094about is that uh um our superintendent makes more than the Seattle superintendent which is the largest district in the state more than three times times the size of Yakima. Uh he makes more than the Spokane superintendent, which is roughly twice the size of Yakama. And um I'm just concerned that this kind of compensation, which will now put our superintendent's salary above the president of the United States, um will just send a kind of crazy message to the community that we can't get enough money, but we need more for bonds and we need this. And um I think that that's a a tough cell and and that the district will need to um do a very good job of educating the public on that. Thank you. >> May I respond? >> Sure. >> Um would you
095like to make any comment? Just make sure. Okay. Um, first I want to thank um both uh Steve McKenna and Vicky Dwight for coming from CILA to be here tonight. And just to call out also that uh as we look at and I understand uh that data or information can be used selectively. But I also want to call out that um you know we have several teachers that are making more than the superintendent of public instruction in the state of Washington. So, when we're looking at elected positions, I think that's important just to to put that in the right frame of mind. So, I'm looking at a document right now that shows uh secondary teacher making more than the treasur, state treasur, commission of public lands, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, insurance commissioner,
096um and then we have another uh 14 uh teachers that are making them more than 35 of our principles. So, uh, we know that, um, things are, um, you know, we we pay our teachers well. We're happy about that. I think, uh, National Education Association, uh, information that went out, um, at the national level, obviously, uh, put Washington, uh, well within the top five of salaries that we're paying teachers and rightfully so, and we're proud that we're able to honor that. And um I just wanted to call the attention to when talking about elected positions, those are um a narrative that we should look at everything. And uh conveniently, I know that we certainly don't even have a a Seattle superintendent right now. So that information is incorrect. There is no Seattle superintendent. That position
097is open. He has left. Uh and there are several other uh superintendents that are well above where I am. And I think that that needs to be called out because it's one thing to mention two people and then give the illusion of uh of being somewhere that's not really there. So, uh that's it. And once again, just want to thank them for coming from CILA today. >> Thank you. The next uh item on the agenda is policy governance items. First is approval of ratings for uh uh 0550 educational and racial equity and uh happy to be able to move forward with this policy. I think this was the third time maybe that we had this on the agenda. Um and happy that we have five responses. Uh majority of board members have responded um that
098the superintendent is compliant. Um, is there any discussions or questions about uh ratings for 0550 educational and racial equity policy? >> Yes. Um, I do have some comments. I for some reason I was unable to insert or include any comments in the survey. I somehow I just maybe I pressed the wrong buttons and I submitted without Yes. But I did want to make some comments uh include those comments hopefully for the record today. Uh please know that I did agree with interpretation that the superintendent's interpretation of the policy and the reasonable progress that he reported. So that's that's that's all good. I agree with all that. There's great work that's going on in the district. Uh and so but I just wanted to make some comments. I believe that with this policy we can go
099a little deeper uh much more deeper in terms of uh assessing the effectiveness of this policy. the way I see it and I could be I could be wrong in my thinking that the four pillars are the how right more the what we what we're going to do to implement this policy and so and I see the what or the broader perspective or the objective is that more the long-term work and the the focus of this policy is and and comes from I'm just paraphrasing is identifying and removing root causes of systemic disparities. Right? I think uh specifically it states uh that the ultimate for me purpose and the goal of the policy is to name, confront and disrupt inequitable systems and practices that contribute to predictable disparit outcomes on the basis of group membership.
100And then it goes on to name those various groups. Then also states that the district is committed to transforming those systems that have historically privileged a few and then it goes on as well uh towards and then also talks about um moving towards educational justice for all. So I don't know if the the information on the four pillars addresses that movement or that progress we're making in those areas. So I'm just thinking that maybe perhaps for the future future reports that we can go a little deeper than the four pillars than the how and go into really the the evaluate the effective effectiveness of those four pillars and and helping us to achieve what we really saying uh in the policy that to be to lead as an anti- anti-racist organization which is looking at
101the culture and structural um the structure and the in the culture of the of the Atamos school district. So, and and just tie it in with the that structural and cultural change and how it's impacting u I think we say that all student will thrive, thrives and succeeds. So, how is all that related? How is that all interconnected? The four pillars and helping to to achieve that student success. they're all thriving and I'm quoting thrives and succeeds. So that just those are my comments. I again I just believe that it's all good stuff especially in terms of the the academic part of the curriculum, all the the the great work that's going on in in the district with the teams and within the schools and the progress we're making. But I believe that with this
102policy, I think it calls out that we need to go a little deeper and address uh the real the real reason why we're even have this policy in the first place, which is uh those disparities between groups. So, I just wanted to make mention of that. >> Thank you, Raymond. Um, Barb, can we because he wasn't able to enter his comments into the survey document, is there a way that you can, if he were to send you his comments, could you enter them into his survey results? because we need this document is one of several that we include in the superintendent's evaluation and it's helpful to have those comments in there when we do that evaluation. You can do that. If you could send your comments to Barb so we can get that into the
103survey document so that we can include it in the evaluation, that would be really helpful. >> Thank you. Any other comments or questions? I'll entertain a motion that the board of directors approves the ratings of 0550 educational and racial equity. Second. >> Uh there's a motion and second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I I opposed abstensions. Uh motion passes 40. Next in policy governance is approval of ratings and reviews for uh 1000.4.0 0 global global governance management connection and uh 1000.4.1 unity of control. The uh ratings are attached in four docs with majority of uh board members agreeing. Is there any discussion >> on either of the policies? >> No. I move we approve the ratings and reviews for 10.4.0 0 and 1,00.4.1 second. >> I have a motion and
104second. Is there a further discussion? All those in favor? >> I I >> opposed absentions. Motion carries 40. Uh we have uh arrived at the end of the agenda. Do we I understand we have a need for executive session. >> We do for 15 minutes. Bob, would you like to provide the rationale? Yes. 15minute executive session to talk about potential and existing current litigation. >> Um, and do we need to >> vote? Do we need to have a specific time? Like we'll meet in five minutes. >> Yeah, probably should give folks time to get there. >> Okay. >> Is it in your office? >> 1.5 minutes. Is it in your office? >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion that we um uh move to executive session for 15 minutes in 5 minutes. So at 8:30 8:39
105by the time we're done with the motion uh in the professional library for current and potential litigation with legal counsel. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? All those in favor? >> I abstensions opposed. Motion carries for zero. >> Do I I don't do this yet. doing somewhere on the journey.