001All right. Good evening everyone. It is 700 p.m. We'll go ahead by calling the meeting to order. Today is Monday, November 24th, 7 p.m. We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. >> Ready? Begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and [clears throat] to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Any changes to the agenda, Dr. Finch? >> No changes. >> Uh, moving on to communications. >> Yep. Response to public comment is there as a placeholder. And so item B is our high school ASB report. We have Katie Champion and Georgia Bond, our representatives that are here to give the report. Okay, so here is our November high school board report. Um, we had our annual Veterans
002Day assembly. The JOTC puts us on. We had over 21 veterans there and we always do like a donate donuts and coffee breakfast in the morning for them before the assembly and then we had our veterans go into individual ranch strongs and speak to students and ask some questions about their experience and it's really cool. Um both of my grandparents were there so that's why >> that's great. Um, the next thing we had was a keep it or cut it fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Um, this was actually one of our teachers ideas. Um, he is our CTE construction teacher, Mr. Matack. Um, and he's kind of known for his long crazy hair and he had this idea [clears throat] that he wanted to cut it, but he thought it'd be more fun to make
003a fundraiser out of it. And um, kids got to vote at lunches in their Ramstrongs um, with like dollar bills or coins in favor of keeping it or cutting it. um and cutting it one by a lot. See this is [laughter] cutting it in front of the school on Halloween. >> Um then we had a send off for Mrs. Tomlin, one of our amazing registers. Uh I think she was in the counseling office, but we made uh lots of posters for her and we got to surprise her. That was really fun. It made my day. Uh we called her out of the office and we didn't tell her why. We all had posters and she walked out and surprised [clears throat] her with. So that was offensive enough to do. >> Is that also helpful?
004>> That was also happening. >> How long is this busy day? >> Yeah, that's why. Um, and then here's some more pictures of our staff dressed up. They told me what, but I kind of forgot. >> Okay, got it. Um, and then there's our ASB class dressed up. We just kind of we just wanted everyone to dress up and have some fun. And so here's just some examples. I think that's all we had. Oh, just kidding. Um, we had our West Valley High School first follies. Our uh theater and band put us on and this was like a a talent show, but not just a talent show. It was all connected like >> I'd say more of a variety show. >> Yeah. >> Um, and one of our teachers or one of our ASB teachers,
005Mrs. Johnson, was in it too. She was part of some skits. >> Okay. Okay. And then ASB went to LA at Topish. Um, if you don't know what Lask is, it's where ASB students go to other schools and they get to see how their ASB functions, things they do at their school. Um, they kind of just, it's basically just kind of a monthly leadership conference, too. So, that was a top finish in I think October. Um, and I heard lots of good things about that. >> Yeah. Got a lot of good things to take back. And then Valley softball awarded third in state. We also raised of 4,000 plus dollars for breast cancer awareness. >> Um, our students experienced the college fair on October 27th. Um, I heard lots of colleges were there. I'm off
006campus so I didn't get to go, but I heard it was great and lots of people got lots of helpful information. >> Mhm. >> And then we also offered the SAT in school. I I'm going to assume on a late start day. I don't know a whole lot about that either. And I think that's all we have. >> Sorry. [laughter and clears throat] >> Uh Ramy helped at ML uh the middle level campus assemblies. Leadership attended a leadership workshop on November 13th. That's similar to Alask. And um we get to go and usually there's a presenter and he presents basically a lot of different ideas to bring back to the high school, fun events and just um fun things to make students all feel more connected more in the community. Yeah. Um, we also had
007two financial aid help next night here in the library at the high school. Um, for kids who maybe didn't know how to do FASA or, you know, if you don't have older siblings and your parents don't know how, we hosted that here, which is always a great event to have. Um, and we're also super excited for winter sports season. Um, we hope our boys do well this year. Let's beat Davis again, please. [laughter] >> Uh, and then seniors had a CWU presentation and on the spot admissions. So if you met the requirements on your transcript, then you were automatically accepted into CW. And a lot of my friends got accepted that way. So it was really exciting for them. It was lucky to have them come here and have that opportunity. >> Nice. >> Okay,
008now that's it. >> Thank you so much. >> Who's Ramy? >> Oh, Ramy is our mascot. >> Okay. >> Sorry. He's right there reading. >> No, on the book. [laughter] >> Oh god. On the bookshelf. >> Yes. I assume so. I just wanted to make sure. >> Oh, yeah. Ramy's over there, too. >> He's usually a student from ASB who gets in the suit and then attends events. >> Do we know Do we know who the student is? >> Secret. >> Ramy's everywhere. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Questions? >> All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have uh staff retirement recognition. I don't see them in attendance, but we'd like to recognize Sheila Wood, director of finance, and Sher Donovan, a nurse at the middle school. So,
009appreciate their service for the West Valley School District. [applause] [clears throat] Next, we have the Washington State School Directors Association Board of Distinction Award for the West Valley School District School Board. Uh, this was presented at their annual conference. There was a session at the annual conference that talked about uh school boards having coherence and that school boards that take the uh self assessment and have coherence you know like agreement on the different direction of the district that those school districts actually do have higher achievement. So appreciate the service of our board. Appreciate this recognition. And like to have a quick photo with the student reps come on up here and uh maybe you can hold that and I'll go take the thick picture. All right. Is it about if it's in there? >> You
010might stand right or left. >> Yeah. So, we're >> Oh, yeah. >> Not in the screen. >> Maybe that >> this doesn't look so good. Shut the screen off. [laughter] >> Oh, that's perfect. Here we go. Right. One, two, three. One, two, three. Did you get one, too? [laughter] Right here. All right. Perfect. Excellent. [cough and clears throat] >> Also under communications, we have schoolboard recognition. This will be the final meeting for Michael Thorner and Mark Strong. Michael Thorner with 12 years of service. Mark Strong, eight years of service. We have plaques for them. So, it's got the gavl. Both Michael and Mark had served as president of the board. So, they both we have the gavl to have them with this plaque. And both of the they're very similar. It says with appreciation for
011your service, president, vice president, member of the board, West High School District board of directors. So, we'll thank Michael Thorner HERE and thanks to Mark Strong. [applause] We need to do the short recess. >> Okay, then we have a short recess. I understand. So, >> all right. Appreciate that. Stephanie Smith has organized a little reception here for our outgoing board members. So, we've got some nice cake over there and like to take a short recess and everyone get a piece of cake and give your best wishes to work strong and Michael Thorner. Okay. Well, thank you [clears throat] everybody for participating in that short little recess. That was very nice. Uh certainly appreciate the uh honor and thought and the cake was very good on top of it. Oh, that was really nice. M. >>
012Mr. Strong, I I would just want to publicly say thank you to both of you guys for your service. I know 12 years and 8 years is uh it's it's a commitment. And I think when I recognize both of you, I think Mr. Thorner just your your your genuiness to want to help the school district and the students is very evident in what you do. And Mr. strong. I appreciate the fact that you're always willing to meet me at Starbucks [laughter] and have discussions and talk things out. And so, um, just grateful for you guys and your service. And I know it's a it's a thankless job and that's okay, but that's not why you do it. Uh, and so we just want to say thank you guys. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you.
013[applause] >> All right. Well, now we come to item six on the agenda, the public comments and non-discussion agenda items. And of course, we have the script here. I'll read it just to make sure. I think by now everyone kind of knows it, but I'll go over it nonetheless. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment will sign in. Speakers will be called in the order that they signed into speaks. Speakers will be given three minutes for their comments. Public comment is not the proper forum to address concerns about a specific staff member. If a person has concerns about a specific staff member, they should make an appointment with the superintendent to address their concerns. So, that being said, we have Ryan Matthews. Um, only person who signed up to speak. Ryan,
014>> thank you. Um, so I guess just from a public perspective, I I also want to thank Mark and Michael for your years of dedicated service. Um, you know, having been around the board for a number of years, I know that there were uh many many opportunities of significant challenge. Um, both ones that uh were uh caused by things that were going on inside our district and caused by things that were well outside of our district and uh throughout our state. So, I very much appreciate all the time and the investment you guys have put into this to do the best you can to shepherd the district for board. Um, I was going to try to count up uh the number of uh you know, students that have graduated during your tenures. Um, you know,
015there's 350 or 400 students that go uh through the graduation ceremonies every year. And uh it's it's an amazing opportunity for you guys to be a part of that process to help shepherd our students into young professionally young adults and uh for them to take their next best step. So thank you so much for uh the time, the investment um and the care and keeping of our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, that's who signed up. Is there anybody in the audience who would like this as an opportunity for anyone? Yes, Mrs. Mo. I thought there was a microphone here. [laughter] >> Um, Heidi Mo, um, WVA president. Um, on behalf of WBA, I'd like to, um, thank you, Michael, um, and Mark, for your years of service. Um, I think I've
016been president the whole time. [laughter] That you both have been been in office. Um, I appreciate the the willingness to have evening phone calls. Um, and the effort that you both of you have put into, um, working with WVA. um and getting to know both of you in um in our marriage counseling [laughter] sessions that that we had. So, um I appreciate you um I know um I very much will miss both of you um and your thoughtfulness for um the staff and the students of the district. So, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Heidi. Okay. Anyone else? Anyone? All right. Again, thank you both for your comments and public comments for non-discussion agenda items is closed. We'll move on to item seven, approval of the consent agenda. Uh again, if there's anything in
017there that somebody wants to talk about in particular, otherwise I'll entertain a motion approval [clears throat] of cons of the consent agenda as presented. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda in total. [clears throat] All right. Thank you, Mr. Walcott. We have a motion to approve. We'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Five. Six. Yeah. 5 0. All right. Moving on. I can turn these pages here. Item eight, action items, approval of travel requests. There are three of them there. Four actually. >> Oh, four. Put my glasses back on. [laughter] >> Four items there. So again, uh if anyone has any item in particular they want to discuss or I guess we could take these all together. Do
018they have to be approved separately? >> No, they can go together. >> Anyone otherwise um we need a um >> I'll make a motion to >> a motion. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Kappire. We have a motion to approve the four travel request. So we'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I oppose. Same side. >> Motion carries. 5 Z. Next we have approval of policy additions, revisions, the second reading. Um hopefully everyone has had a chance to look at that. Any questions or motions or any of >> Yeah, I just of concern. Just want to make a clarification that uh none of the text has changed, but just like someone had suggested, it was kind of difficult to read when they had the strike through and strike and
019and underline within the context of the paragraph. So, we just went ahead and did a strike through and then underline. So, this is the language that uh Steve Walcott had proposed and was approved for the first reading uh two weeks ago. And so, we're bringing this back for second reading. Okay. >> And I do have some comments. Um certainly >> and on your last nights, I didn't want to make this controversial, but I am going to vote no this time. Um and I was I was going to um I think I will just read a statement because I put a lot of thought into this. And uh and I almost didn't want to read a statement, but I don't wanted to say no because I had said yes before. So um I put some thought
020into this. What I'm what I'm looking at is since the last board meeting, I've had time to do more research on the reasons for the revision of policy 111 and have decided to vote no on the second reading. I was curious why we were dealing with it when deemed it discretionary and some of the other districts weren't dealing with it yet. Um the current policy has been in place working for a long time. So it didn't make any sense to me why this addition regarding supporting the laws of Washington had to be added with no regard for also adding the laws of the United States. But I suppose uh after I had said this last week that under the supremacy clause that the added phrasing is probably unnecessary. It seemed to me that if one
021supports the state and US constitutions that it would be assumed that you would be willing to obey the laws. So I'm still was asking why this addition. And now that I've looked deeper at the origins of the addition, uh, it just seems to me that it's really one more attempt from the legislature at taking away local schoolboard control over issues that are important to most of our community. Embedded in the controversial HB 1296, which gutted the uh, I 2081 parental rights bill, is the origin of this rewarded oath. The other issue that concerns me is that I'm being asked as a schoolboard director to vote on this policy. Typically, uh, if I'm asked to vote on an issue, that typically means I can vote yes or no without any repercussions. In this case, it seems
022that I'm being told that I must vote yes. So, why are we voting if I must vote yes? Um, over a year ago, after the passage of I 2081, uh, Chris Reichell himself issued guidance telling districts not to make changes to policies in response to I2081 while legal questions remain. So, it seemed reasonable to me to wait to make this policy change while HB1 1296 is amid legal challenges. Now, in final, please board hear me. My no vote does not mean that I'm encouraging anyone to break the law. The revised RCW still stands. My no vote is not breaking any laws. In fact, I encourage the members of our board to take the oath as newly written. uh if they don't according to the law, they will not be seated. Once the lawsuit regarding HB
0231296 works its way through the courts, I will be happy to reconsider this policy. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? All right. Then either we need a a motion to approve or to move forward with it. I'll move to approve um the second reading of policy 1111 oath of office as presented. >> All right, we have a motion. We'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I >> I oppose. Same sign. >> I >> Okay, motion does not pass bills 3 to two. Next, we have approval for or against citizen statement representatives for levy statement. Dr. Finch, you want to add anything here? >> Uh, we have a cover memo that was provided by our assistant superintendent, Ryan McDaniel. And so, we received uh citizens that are here from West Valley that
024would like to write the four statement. We did not receive any volunteers for the against statement. And so the um approval for the levy would be that the board of directors approve Teracobia and Camille Gyos to the four statement committee as presented. >> Okay. Any comments, questions, concerns? Anyone? >> I do have a I do have a question. Yes. I'm >> I'm What's the difference between C and D? >> Uh D [clears throat] is for the bond. Oh, I'm okay. Yep. >> I [laughter] don't know how I miss it says it right there. Okay. >> Sorry. Thank you. >> That's okay. >> Okay. Would anyone care to make a motion? I'll make a motion to approve uh the approval for the the members chosen for the board memo levy for yeah, [snorts] Terraobia and Camille
025Gleos to the four state and committee. >> All right, we have a motion. We'll go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. That one carries. I mean passes. 5-0. Next we have item D, approval for against citizen statement presentations for the bond statement. Dr. Finch. >> Yes, we had the same process for the bond statement. Uh we had Anthony Fina and Brad Hansen request to do the for statement. We had no volunteers for the against statement. And so we are recommending that the board of directors approve Anthony Fina and Brad Hansen to the four statement committee for the bond. Okay. Any questions from anyone? Any comments before we take a motion hearing? None. I will ask somebody to make a motion. >> I'll make a motion
026to approve. >> Okay. Okay, we have a motion to approve the four against citizens statement representatives for the bond statement. Go ahead and vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries 5. Next we have items arising. Uh anything anyone there have to say? I guess there's a good this is a good spot for me just to say goodbye to everyone. So then >> you can do that in the board. I we're going to give you last word under board report. >> Okay, I'll take [laughter] it there. All right, I'll wait till we get to that one. Um, anyone have anything under items arising then? >> You can do what you want, though. [laughter] >> That's all right. I can wait. >> That's true. >> All right,
027hearing nothing there. We'll move on to item 10, reports. There's the admin report, enrollment reports, safety reports, travel log reports. As usual, they're in the board packet. >> Again, yeah, we we we attended the annual conference for the Washington State School Directors Association. They talked about the importance of datadriven decision-making, and I just really appreciate the administrators throughout the various school [clears throat] reports. They were sharing the data that they are collecting and and acting on the data. So, I really appreciate this data driven decision and continuous improvement that we're seeing across the district. >> Okay. Thank [clears throat] you. Anyone else board reports? I've I I've got one. So, um I [clears throat] think just something really cool about West Valley. Um but I went to um PRI uh one day conference last week
028and they did a screening of a documentary and they talked about this school that's doing all this these innovative things in in how uh not every student learns this way. And so sometimes you need to accommodate. And I was just sitting there watching. I was like, man, we're doing all we're like we're >> like we're and and I I would just say uh it was uh just encouraging to see all that uh West Valley is doing to really um get every student uh across that finish line and successful um you know and and trying to accommodate uh whatever the the needs might be. And so I was just in that moment thinking proud proud of West Valley and I know both uh Michael and Mark you guys are a big part of that the last
029few years. So thank you guys. >> I'll add to that. I went to uh three days of the WASDA meetings and uh took several good seminars and uh even sat with Dr. Finch at a couple of them and we compared notes and that was that was a lot of fun. um lot lot of good seminars and adding to what you said I talked to a guy there that found out I was from West Valley and he and he said oh I want to talk to you he said I've been you know he's in Darington and he said I've been looking at your scores and especially he was picking on a tan and he said >> man their scores have done really well >> and he goes I want to know what they're doing so I
030I contacted your principal and I contacted your superintendent and we want to come over to West Valley and figure out what you guys are doing. So, so that was fun. I was able to sort of beam for our school and it's fun just hearing somebody come up to you and go, "Hey, your school's doing something right. I want to find out what you're doing." So, that was >> that was pretty cool. >> Y enough for me. [laughter] >> Anyone else? >> All right. Thank you. Next, we'll go on to item 11, the superintendence report. I just shared some of this wonderful press that we've been getting. Uh both uh Kim TV did a story about some of you and a story about West Valley High School. And so I put the links in there so
031people can go to the board report and just easily get the link. That's it. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Now we get to board reports, board development. Anyone? [laughter] Mr. Thorner? >> Um well, I wish I was a lot more organized. I've sure been reflecting a lot on my time on the board. Um, I think it's really appropriate that my last school board meeting is the week of Thanksgiving. Um, I'm just very thankful to have had this opportunity to serve uh our community, um, our students, our staff. Um, I'm just I I'm just grateful um for our district. I'm very proud of our district. Um, I didn't think I would have a hard time um during this meeting. It It really snuck up on me. Um, I'm very proud of our district. Um, I've
032said this before, it's a it's a miracle every day that school happens. every part of from the bus drivers that get our our kids to school to it that makes everything run to administration um our educational staff. Um you all are the reason why we look so good and um and have made my time on the board worthwhile and um I'm just very thankful for this opportunity. I think I'm a better person because of this. I know I'm a better person because of this experience. There were some challenging times, but um we we got through them together. Um I wish the board um uh all the best. I wish our new school board members um the very best. Um I will be unconditionally cheering for the West Valley School District for the West for the
033rest of my life. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, I have similar comments. Um, again, it was a it was a very gratifying experience for me. Um, you know, you know, when I started this, I really didn't know what to expect. Um, let alone just uh all the challenges we faced along the way. I kind of expected that things would be as smooth sailing and continue to go the way they were and I would just be able to fill somebody's shoes and kind of learn as I go. But we soon came into a lot of things. We dealt with a lot of strife. We did COVID and getting back to school. We had other challenges. And there were so many things along the way that not only helped me become a better person, but it
034also helped me help the school district as well. And so I feel very honored for the privilege of being able to serve as long as I did. And I'll always remember the time very favorably and very um uh with with a big note of gratitude for being able to work with such fine people and and learn as much as I did and to leave knowing that we are in such great shape that we're in a good spot and you know whenever you start something and want to do something you always want to feel at least I do as a person that I left it better than when I got there and I feel like I've been able to do that in many ways. And I've also had the honor of working with some good individuals,
035some good people. And um I'll never forget the time, you know, I spent here in West Valley. And like Mr. Thorner said, I'll always be cheering and rooting for West Valley no matter where I am. And just because you may not see me in the room doesn't mean that I'm not looking somewhere on camera or watching to see what's going on because I will be paying attention. But um I wish all the best to the the new board members, the existing board members that are here and just ask that you carry the torch and keep going and make the decisions that we need to have made for our school district to be successful. So thank you all for, you know, putting up with me for my time here and um for the opportunity to serve
036our community in the way I was able to. So thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, that brings us to the adjournment of two of us, our final meeting. So, I will adjourn the meeting here. It's Monday, the 24th of November, 7:43 p.m. And thank you everybody for being here. >> Very good.