001And I call this meeting order. Please rise for the flag of >> Igiance 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. >> Approval of board meeting minutes for January 14th and 20th, 2026. I'll move for the approval of board meeting minutes for January 14th and 20th, 2026. >> Second. >> There you go. It's >> been moved and second to approve board meeting minutes for January 14th and 20th, 2026. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. All those oppos say nay. Motion carries. Uh before we get too far, do I have a motion to excuse board member uh Bernardet Bower? >> I'll move to excuse board member Bower for
002tonight's meeting. A second. >> It's been moved and seconded to excuse board member Bower for tonight's meeting. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. All right. Uh approval of a meeting agenda. I'll move to approve the meeting agenda as is. Second, >> it's been moved and seconded to approve the meeting agenda. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> All right, we are on to board appreciation. >> Board appreciation, please. >> I think so. That's what's that's how it's on next. All right. >> We'll start with that first. >> Um, well, we're going to begin with board appreciation, but I felt we uh read
003the governor's proclamation. Proclamation is whereas the mission of Washington's public school system is to ensure that all students achieve at high levels and possess possesses the knowledge and skills to be responsible residents of a democratic society and and enjoy productive and satisfying lives. And whereas Washington's 295 locally elected school boards and nine elected educational service district boards are the core of the public education governance system in our state. And whereas the districts and regions they lead serve more than 1.1 million students and have a combined annual budget of over 16 billion and employ approximately 120,000 people. And whereas school directors play a crucial role in promoting student learning and achievement by creating a vision, establishing policies and budgets, and setting clear standards of accountability for all involved. And whereas school directors are directly accountable to
004the residents of their districts and regions, serving a vital link between members of the community and their schools. And whereas school directors and educational service districts provide a passionate voice of advocacy for public school and the welfare of ch school school children. And whereas it is appropriate to recognize school directors as outstanding public servants and champions of public education. Now therefore, I Bob Ferguson, governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as schoolboard recognition month and in Washington and I encourage all people in our state to join me in this special observance. So what we have done, we have our special thank yous and then in our conversation um question is is normally this is where we've done our board recognition, but we decided this year we were going to do a
005gift that you would give away. So, what each one of you are getting is one of our Elna challenge coins, but it's not a challenge coin to keep. >> Thank you. >> It's a challenge coin that you'll select one of our staff members or or one of our employ uh one of somebody from our team in Elma and then bring them to a board meeting to give them the challenge client and your appreciation for the work that they are doing for our district. So, um, we'll ask that you'll work with Kendis on how you would schedule that. And then you would have the ability to reach out, do the scheduling, and do your own personal recognition to give the challenge a coin away to any um, I guess one of our family. Here's your board.
006And then one of you receive your WASDA certificate. Thank you for your service. Jamie, we have yours here. Thanks, Chris. Well, >> thank you. That was a long proclamation. >> That was short. >> I don't remember last year's debate was long. That seemed longer. All right. Okay. Consent agenda. >> I'll move for the consent agenda. I'll >> second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the consent agenda. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. We discussion items. It looks like levy update. Yeah, we've been going around meeting with small groups. This year's levy plan is to communicate on our district website and through parent newsletters where the levy goes. Uh the district can go up to $2.50 per thousand is
007what the state allows. Our community has held us at a $2.3 per thousand rate. It generates about 3.3 this year. This levy will generate about $3.3 million. $993,000 goes to our athletic programs which covers coaching salaries, transportation, and about $2 million offsets salaries uh not funded by the state. Kind of past practices and a bit of our levy history, we've last two levies drew about $3.1 million with a passing rate of 55%. we have the ability to go up to $2,500 per student um with inflationary rate which is now up over about $3,400. Um and that's kind of what you see on this chart here. This it's kind of hard to see. um shows that elements of pro assessed property value is about $1.56 billion and at that that previous rate of 207 per thousand
008you'll actually see smaller districts actually are lower in that levy rate and that's because they cap out on the total dollar per student rate. You'll see that we kind of sit right in the middle for our levy rate. Um namely with districts uh behind us with large property values. So they have a large tax rate and a larger a much more assessed property value. So if we zoom back in, you'll see like I grew up in Ocean Shores, you'll see a $4.1 billion assessed value and at Ocean Beach, a $4 billion assessed value. So that vacation property ends up, you know, we're a much smaller student population of about 800 students goes that assessed value goes quite a bit further. So this is kind of the uh wrong button. What we draw. This is what
009we had in the ballots. Ballots have come out by Friday. So this is specifically what we have under the community. When you run a levy, you run a levy on total dollar value, but you assess, you estimate on the cost per thousand. So when we draw up that total value, it was built off of assessed property values. So more construction happens within the community or if u assessed values change, that actual levy rate, the tax rate goes down because we can really just go out for with what the voters vote on is that 3.3 and 3.4 million for 27 and 28 is really what we can draw. It's not uncommon that Lisa will say that there was a change in property values of money that we could go back out to the voters and ask
010for if there's a change on the draw. We generally say board votes and we don't go after that. >> We go after what I come for is what we didn't collect at all. We want to go back to the >> So think the rest this is just a general presentation on where the the bulk of our funds go. I think um the big thing is is this campaign was built around less of a campaign but as an information session meeting with PTA meeting with our athletic programs meeting with our athletic coaches. I think a lot of confusion on what goes into athletics. I mean just in wrestling alone our transportation budget was $10,000. So I think a conversation comes in on um look where jerseys come from or athletic jerseys. We do the supply purchases
011in the spring when we figure it out postseason where our levy constraints are unique. We're the only school district in the state that pays per hour for postseason. So, as a result, one of the reasons why we have our supply budget in the spring and not in the fall is our coaching salaries can double. So, when we're looking at $993,000 going to the athletic budget, the estimated value can change because coaches can be paid up to 12 hours per day for postseason. So if you have a postseason game in Yakama, we're paying from the moment the bus leaves till the moment the bus comes back, which means that postseason that postseason salary can grow beyond what was paid in the inseason salary. And as a result with that, you know, expansion, it makes it so
012it's hard to say exactly what is going into that, you know, so we know we have $993,000 going into that athletic fund. it's hard to say what the athletic cost will be. So, generally what we do is we pre-enccumber the most expensive postseason costs. And then if our postseason costs didn't cost, if those expenses want weren't what we pre-enccumbered, we use the leftover to roll into equipment purchases at the end of the year. So, kind of as an example on where that goes. Any questions on our levy, what we're running and where where the funds are going? >> So, I think a big thing is the $2 million offset for employee pay, right? So, a majority of that is going to offset the pay differential between the the state's money and what we actually pay
013out. Uh leaving only, you know, a little over 1.1 $1.3 million to do operation and whatever's left in maintenance. No, we have a million dollars going into athletics and we have 200 thou $2 million going to offset salaries. So, as a result, it's down to >> 300400,000 >> $300,000 that runs maintenance for the district, which a lot of that covers the cost of personnel. So, custodians custodian custodial cost is uncovered by the state. >> So, the bulk of that $300,000 is just covering our custodians and our operational costs. I I bring that up just because that question comes up about maintenance and operations and how much money we have for maintenance and operations, which is probably the last piece of the pie that's actually cut away. >> And with the new levy, it is not
014supposed to be an M anymore. It's supposed to be for enrichment. And so we I have to be able to justify when I put that money in this salaries and why did it. >> So do they allow you to justify the enrichment? Obviously, we have to have classrooms or maintain classrooms. So, they that's how the >> has to be before school, after school or >> Oh, okay. >> It can't be anything during the day. >> Okay. It's good to know. >> Anybody else have any questions? >> The plan being we didn't change the levy. We wanted to run it real flat. community has a positive passing rate when we don't make large changes to the levy. It doesn't really fund a lot of extras. Average certified salary is what? 95,000 a year. >> Yeah. >>
01598. We receive 75,000 per year. 84 now. Okay, good. That's gone up. So that's a great example of 98 to84. It's a $14,000 difference for 100 staff certified employees. That's about $1.4 $4 million that we need to, you know, just and those salaries alone is $1.4 million that we have to backfill when the average is that average salary is more than what we receive from the state. Okay. Anything else? Public comment. Anybody? >> I got a couple if you don't mind. >> Yeah. I just got Can I read this really fast? I don't want to cut you up and I know you're the only one but so obviously welcome uh your import your comments are important to us all comments are limited to three minutes it's helpful for the board if you give us your
016name uh and then just uh address your remarks to chairperson note there will be not we will not be entering in dialogue at this time and the purpose of the agenda item is for you uh to inform and let us know James Elbat 62 bath lane I just got a couple to me they're not stupid questions But uh one is I'd like to talk about does Elma School District offer the new market programs in [clears throat] Thirstston County for their students that want to be in vocational boxes. That's one of my questions. I would wish I don't know if the Elma school district pushes that, but I know it'd probably be a good thing for some of our students that are not all made for higher education, [clears throat] which this district has taken our
017kids to in the last 10 years um since vocational is coming back. My next question is um has the superintendents of Grace Harbor County and Pacific County got together and talked about starting their own new market program because we're about the only county left that does not have them. Um that's my other question. What's your first name is James? >> Whatever you want to call me. Jim James. >> Oh, sorry. I just want to make sure >> I go by Jimmy's what I like to go by. >> Jimmy, um actually mean Jimmy uh New Market's based over in the Tom Water School District and normally we don't it's not a dialogue. So if we want to have this conversation further and Michael did say that we normally can't like come in and answer questions, we
018have it kind of pardon me. >> We normally can't have a dialogue. You get to bring in your questions and we respond to your questions. But I did kind of want to just address some key points just to kind of make sure that we kind of clear up some miscommunication because New Market has a satellite on the Aberdine campus. >> So it's already based on the Aberdine campus. So, it's in Grace Harper campus, but then Elma School District is also the only we're the only school district in the state that runs a we we partner directly with the Department of Labor where we run full registered apprenticeships and kids get their journey cards. >> I understand that. >> And we're also the whole school only school district in the state that allows students to work
019in the hospital and get their CNA. So, we've >> I understand that. I've researched it out enough to know about it and know about the new market programs. It's just that I think there's more opportunity for different programs that Elma don't offer for these kids to go to. Thirsten County all thirst county has to accept the Grace Harvard kids if they have the openings. >> So I we can talk about this at a at a later time if you'd like to reach out to our office because we can't have a back and forth or at a board meeting. >> Um >> yes, I wonder why I come. We could take the public comment, but if you want to leave our content with Lisa, I can give you a call and we could do a followup.
020>> No, that's fine. >> Thanks for your questions. >> What's that? >> I said thanks for your questions. >> Well, learned another lesson. All right. Unfinished business. All right. We had approval of policy 1210 annual organization meeting organizational meeting second and final reading. Sorry. >> Move for the approval of policy 1210 annual organization meeting second final reading. >> Second. >> It's been moved a second approve policy 1210 annual organizational meeting second and final reading. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion passes. Approval of policy 1220, board officers and duties of board members, second and final reading. >> I'll move for the approval of policy 1220, board officers and duties of the board members second and final reading. >> I'll second. It's
021>> been moved and seconded approve policy 1220 board officers and duties of board members second final reading. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> Approval of policy 1225, school director legislative program, second and final reading. >> I move for the approval of policy 1225, school director legislative program, second and final reading. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and seconded to approve policy 1225, school director, legislative program, second and final reading. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> All right. Uh, approval of policy 6220, bid and request for proposal requirements, second and final reading. >> Approval of policy 6220, bid or request
022for proposal requirement, second final. Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Approve policy 6220 bid or request for proposal requirements. Second and final reading. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> Approval of policy 6570, property and data management. Second and final reading. >> I'll move for the approval of policy 6570, property and data management. Second and final reading. >> I'll second. Been moved and seconded to approve policy 65 6570 property and dat data management second and final reading. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> All right. New business discussion approval policy 6212 charge cards first reading. And we are updating this as per request
023of the state auditor to add fuel cards. >> Approval of policy 6212 charge cards first reading. >> Second move second to approve policy 6212 charge cards first reading. Is there any discussion? >> Did we update? We had to update this one last time, too, didn't we? Just a little bit, I think. Maybe not. Maybe I'm thinking another one. Okay. >> We were supposed to >> Okay. All right. Uh, is there any further discussion? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed say nay. >> Motion carries. >> Approval of ETOU retirement incentive for 2526. We're just seeking for an MOU that we've bargained with our teachers association. Um, which would be the same thing we did about two years ago to help us identify retirements before June. So, this would
024put in a date that we would have this information. I think I have it in the end of February. So, teachers that are on the fence and whether or not they're going to retire would allow us to forecast our staffing. Um, as we know, like if we're going to do non-renewals or fiscal reductions, that has to be done by May 15th. So, having that information by the end of May allows February allows us to, you know, kind of evaluate our effective staffing rates. >> Move for ETOU retirement 2526. >> I'll second. >> It's been moved and seconded approve DTOU retirement incentives for 2526. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed say nay. Motion carries. >> Reports. Enrollment. >> Enrollment's kind of down a
025little bit from the roll over the new semester. We're down about 8 FTE total um for the secondary schools. We're still holding an average of um 1511. Um realistically, I mean, I think just the basic guard or basic enrollment still holding strong. We have a total district total of about 1590. Add Lisa. It's kind of cut and dry. It's pretty distributed across all grade levels. That 10th grade class is huge. >> Yes. Anybody have any questions for Chris? >> Before we move to Lisa reports. >> All right, Lisa, here you go. Um, Katie, I know you're new, so if you don't, and I'll be honest, I don't go line by line with the board. I figure you guys are very smart people. You can read a graph. Um, but if you want time to come
026in just to talk about it, my door's always open. >> Thank you. >> Um, [clears throat] so you can see we were at a 7.1 million in October and we've dropped down to a five come November. And part of that is just that new grants haven't got started yet. Um, so we're putting out a little bit more um than we're bringing in. Those grants are now up and running. So you'll see the fund balance kind of level off here um [clears throat] in December and then on top of it um I am Michael are you willing to talk to the state auditor again this year? >> Yeah. Um yeah, >> they have assigned us to team Vancouver. >> Okay. >> So everything is remote >> and they plan on starting the audit right around February
02723rd, but she would like to get the questionnaire that they did last year with you done sooner. >> Okay. >> So now that I know who's doing it, I can email her. >> Yeah, that's fine. It didn't didn't take very long to answer their questions. So they just request everything digitally then. Is that how they do audit? >> Yes. >> Remote? >> Yes. So we have to stand it and >> Okay. Because I'm assuming not all districts have everything digitally. >> Um no. Yeah. >> Um that's why I usually request that they come in. >> Yeah. >> But this year because it's team Vancouver. Okay. >> Team Olympia is very behind right now. Okay. >> And so we've got them and I accepted to do it. Well, thank you. Everybody wants to go digital. >>
028I know we're doing it at work right now, too. So, >> any questions on your budget report? >> No, just just kind of mention that that fund balance could potentially we were talking uh last time about legislation that could actually tie up some of that money. Uh I don't know how that looks, but there is legislation out there that would tie up some of our fund balance. So it's good to know that we have a healthy fund balance in case that happens depending on the percentage that they would have a district locked in in for. And that has a lot to do with the fact that a lot of districts have had some financial problems since COVID. So uh legislator is looking at ways to lock in funds for districts so they don't have the
029same problems. So just something to think about. I mean, it looks like a large fund balance, but it um our payroll is about two just over two million a month. Um by the time you go through that or uh have some sort of reduction, that fund balance goes away really fast. So Jeff, with that fun news, >> now to the non-digital side hits the roadies. >> Um so, uh I mean we have our deferred list. Um, we've been working on updating some of the some of the boxes there. Um, we have a lot of deferred maintenance. Um, as you well know, um, my goal would be to complete everything on the list. I know that's not a reality. U, but I would like to start, you know, if we can set aside some money to
030chip away at the list. Um, I did have some uh safety concerns brought to me by a group of teachers u regarding the playground pavement and it is a fairly uneven surface. Um, I think as far as repaving projects go, we should definitely start with that as a priority. Um, I mean, it'd be nice for the parent pickup line, but I don't mind dragging ground. I'd rather have the kids have a a flat surface to run on. Um, so I don't know if there's any way we can work that in um this year or in the in the coming years, but uh I I would say I would put my emphasis on on that over over anything for that. Um painting, you know, keeping our buildings looking nice. Um or, you know, and then continue
031with the ADA. I was able to walk down the ramp today. I kind of popped the fence and took a took a walk down it. It was a nice little stroll. I mean, it was uh I like I like how it flattens out. Um and it looks really good from the field. I'm I'm actually really excited about it. Um they're going to be working on the handrails next. Um but yeah, I was just like I was on my way to the middle school and I'm like I'm like Larry, let's walk down the ramp. You know, I just wanted to feel what it was like. And I would be pretty confident that a wheelchair would just have no problem at all on it. So, I'm really excited about that. Um, it's been a long time coming.
032So, thank you guys for >> huge compared to the old one. Once you once everybody sees it, it makes you wonder how you could go down that ramp in a wheelchair. >> Yeah. >> Before this because of how long it is compared to the old entrance. >> And then it just has like a feel like when you're on the field, it looks classy. Like it looks really good. Is is the flag pole going where those stairs are at in the middle or is it going in the middle? >> Yeah, there's like a um they left a a box open there on that flat spot on the top of the stairs. >> Okay, that's Yeah. >> So, I believe it's just going to be kind of right on that middle of that flat part there. Um
033>> yeah, right on that landing is >> So, >> did it have plans for anything in that open area or is it just going to be grass kind of coming off the the stairs there? >> Off the stairs. >> Yeah. Um, we were talking about like Joey was either way with whether we did gravel or um or dirt, you know, which would be eventually grass. >> Yeah, >> I'm kind of leaning toward gravel because they could put like they could put some fabric down and I think just like a nice little gravel landing. Um, most likely we're probably going to have some of those temporary bleachers there, you know. >> Absolutely. I'm just trying to paint a picture for everybody that hasn't actually seen it in person. So, >> the pictures don't all do it
034justice. >> Yeah, I know. I I snuck down on the field and we had basketball, so I went out on the track and then walked out and it's uh >> it's pretty impressive to see. >> Uh yeah, I would Yeah, I would recommend. You know, it's a construction zone, so don't get too crazy, but if you want to go walk on some pavement, I would re >> Yeah, I was over by the track, so it's easy to see. It's that massive. So, >> and the steps are not like the steps are nice little comfortable steps. Like if you got a bad knee, I don't think it's going to be that bad. I mean, it's really nice. So, um it feels feels good. So, I'm really excited about that actually. Um it makes me want to
035do more construction. So, >> so good. >> Let's work on that. Um but yeah, no, it's great. Um yeah, that's pretty much all I have. probably just like I say it's it's it can be frustrating at times because you know obviously we want to do all the things and then when you get questioned about why and I can't really explain all the finances of the district to people so that's let's you know I just have to tell them that I'm I'm working on them. So um but yeah if we can just keep chipping away on the on the list um I think we're going to have these buildings for quite some time before we ever are able to build a new building. So let's take care of what we got. Yeah, absolutely. It's hoping the
036state uh this is wishful thinking, but hoping the state eases the purse strings on our uh capital assistance program that we pay into uh that could be helpful in the future. But I mean that's to be seen, but there is a lot on this list and eventually we're going to have to start um doing something about it because we just don't have the capital to >> to make these kind of changes. How about the roof uh project? Does that >> that is it's already the bid's done. It's it's scheduled to start. So, they may start at spring break. Um just the difficulty with the middle school gym is because kids are on all four sides of it. It's I'm almost preferring that they wait till the start of summer just for safety. Um but um
037it's been discussed. Obviously, you want better weather. You don't want to do a roof tear off in the rain >> because that could be bad. So, um, but yeah, that I'm really happy with that company. I'm excited for that. You know, I've had like a couple people this year tell me about the roof league. I'm like, we're getting a new roof. And so, that always makes them happy. >> You know, they're like, we just wanted to make sure somebody, oh, we know. So, >> that people point out like, we know. And so, um, >> but yeah, >> list, >> you know. And then the other the other comment would be like the these some of these prices are already kind of outdated and like I say when we get if we pick a project that's
038when we'll put it out to the formal bid and we'll get the real number. I don't I feel like some of these numbers are only going to get bigger every year we work. So as time is of the absolutely stuff. Well, >> thanks Jeeoff. Any questions for Jeff? All right, good in the order. >> Well, tonight is senior night, so I feel like if we get out of here early enough, we can go support our last uh boys home game or our senior night game, and then I will have Eric girls or Tuesday next week. What day is senior night? >> Thursday next week. So, I think uh we've had our teams are doing really, really well. Um all ranked. um wrestling ended up winning a few uh winning a tournament. So now they're ranked
039fifth in state, sixth in state. So pretty excited about the performance of our athletic program. Um and I think now we're kicking up all of our student leadership competitions. I think FAA's this week and uh I think Skills USA is kicking is already kicked off this week too. So pretty excited about our student competitions. And that's all I have. to have a shout out for um the elementary school for their drama program that they did with in conjunction with Missoula children's theater and I think I think the Grace Harbor Foundation also helped fund it but it looked like it was a very successful almost 40 kids in it. So that's that's a cool thing. Um, a shout out to the high school, our roost, our kids are getting noticed and other other schools are asking
040and that's an exciting thing. So hopefully this can spread. And then a reminder that uh February 10th is the unified fill the gym game. >> One of us would say, "Yeah." >> Okay. So >> pack the gym. >> Pack pack the gym. I was trying to remember what it was. I was thinking I know it's stuffed the bus, but how do we >> We're going to pack the gym. I don't think it's I couldn't think of the right word. Thank you. Um but I I know that they're working cooperatively with hope to have people for all the student body ahead of time and some cool things. So um it not only is a great thing for the students that are going to be the student athletes, but I think it's a great thing for the
041students who are coming to cheer them on. They're meeting ahead of time and making posters together and I think it's just good good cross collaboration. So, keep out of all of them. >> We covered quite a bit. The only thing I have to say is uh get out and vote. Belts are due >> February 10th, same day. Pack. >> Hey, all you got to do is get it done. Take it to the post office and then go right to the gym. That's exactly what you want to do. >> Dr. Ballot, fill the gym. >> Yeah, fill the gym. Alrighty. All right. With that, we're going to uh move into executive session for about 20 minutes for the view of performance of public employee and for property. Uh no action will be taken and we should
042be out at 6:55. >> Lisa, >> did everybody get a chance to sign? You want to keep that? >> No, not really. If there's something in there not signed, let me know. >> Thank you. >> Katie did an excellent job taking over with Brian. She caught my signature that I missed. So, >> which is always Ryan's job. Thank you. >> That probably >> Do you guys need me for the executive or can I just sign out? >> You could you could you could probably sign out. I mean, we're just going to go over the few things. I could fill you in. Um, yeah, I think you know most of it and then the other part you and I can talk. >> Okay, sounds good. Thanks, guys. >> Have a good night. >> I hope you
043feel better. >> Thank you. [snorts] Oh, why is it not video is not sharing there? I guess we can go just audio. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll move to adjourn. A second. >> It's been moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say nay. Meeting adjourned. Hey, is there a