Eatonville School Board of Directors Business Meeting

001you've done everything with with grace and and professionalism and I respect you very much and I'm going to miss you. welcome >> and I would like to continue to add my uh words of gratitude uh without getting emotional [laughter] uh because I began learning uh from you uh the day I came on board thanks for and uh I've always appreciate your passion to making sure that all kids are served well and uh just your your authenticity >> and your ability to articulate um what's in your mind and heart and and then be able to convey that and for the good of of all the students in our school district and u so yeah it's been a true honor to serve with you >> I'm gonna say something I've only had a year with you and

002it's been an awesome year I am so grateful for your kindness in your perspective your guidance in your frankness at points and I'm gonna miss your puppies coming in [laughter] and I hope you'll still stop it and then say hi. >> Of course I will. I'll annoy you guys. I do have something I would like to say. Absolutely. But I don't know if I'm going to be able to get through it. [laughter] So, you might have to take over. Um right here. So, over the past over the last four years, I've had the honor of serving on this school board and I can truly say it has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. When I first stepped into the roles, I thought I knew what to expect. Boy, was I wrong.

003But serving alongside our directors and our superintendent and our dedicated staff has taught me more than I had ever imagined. I have learned about leadership and grace and promise and the weight of making decisions that affect real families in classrooms and real children. I am genuinely grateful for every conversation, every late night meeting, every challenge we faced, every victory we celebrated together. This team has shown me what it means to care deeply about a community. You have each inspired me with your commitment and empathy and strength. I'm going to miss working together more than I can express. This role has stretched me, humbled me, and helped me grow, not only as a board member, but as a person. I carry forward lessons you all have all taught me separately, every one of you guys. And

004I trust and I am thankful for the trust and support that allowed me to serve. As I step into my next chapter, I'm excited to pour my heart into helping dogs and continuing the volunteer work that means so much to me. My new adventure may look different, but the spirit of service that I found here will always be with me for wherever I go. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this district. Thank you for the memories and thank you for working alongside me these past four years. It has been an honor and I will always hold close. >> You guys know how hard that is for me to Yes. more board comments. That was really wonderful. >> Thank you. uh just because you didn't make public comments often, you were working hard behind the

005scenes, always advocating for >> you guys made all the comments and I just agree. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, thank you very much. Um we anyone who served I see you former board member here. Um those who serve understand the sacrifice and thank you for serving as well and all those who might someday watch this. Um your service is meaningful and appreciated. All right. With that, Jay, I'm gonna turn over to you. >> You are going to stick around, right? >> For a little bit. >> Okay. We have something we're going to do a little bit more. So, after [laughter] we'll do the swearing in when we do [clears throat] the switch of the seats, we're going to take a little recess just so everybody knows. Everybody can grab snacks. Um, and then

006we'll swap. You can Okay. If I could have Rhonda please come forward. [clears throat] Rhonda reelected as a member of the board at large and I would like to now read you an oath that and have you raise your right hand if you might repeat after me. I, Rhonda Litenberger. I, Rhonda Litenberger, >> do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of Washington >> and will faithfully discharge >> the duties of director >> of Eatenville School District 404 >> of Edenville School District 404 >> Pierce County >> State of Washington >> to the best of my ability. >> Thanks. >> Katie, can you come forward? >> You all raise your hand. Repeat after me. >> I Katie Hanselman. >>

007Hi, Katie Henselman. Do hereby solemnly swear >> Do hereby solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of Washington >> and will faithfully discharge >> the duties of director >> of Edenville School District 404 >> of Eatenville School District 404 >> Pierce County >> state of Washington >> to the best of my ability. to the best of my ability. >> Congratulations. >> Okay. Um Jay, did you have something you wanted to present to Ashley, then we're going to take [clears throat] a recess. We have to sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh shift some seats. Um and then everybody can grab

008some snacks and then we'll come back. >> This has to do with the just >> Oh yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, let's do it. >> All right. So there are certain levels of recognition that go along with uh to school boards based on um how hard they work and what they do. And and [clears throat] so we recently received a letter from the Washington State School Directors Association announcing that the Unionville School Board uh or Unionville School District Board of Directors formally uh was designated as a board of distinction for and this is a a high honor. Um there were 10 small schools that were recognized and we were one of them. There's 295 school districts across the state of Washington. I believe we're 49 that were selected, but of of the small schools, only 10

009and we were one of them. And so before you get too far away, Ashley, uh as well as all members of the board, I wanted to uh honor you with that as you're leaving. And uh so um in recognition of of this distinction, Wazda uh stated, "We enjoyed reviewing your district's application materials and thought that your board provided a compelling example of strategic leadership with a clear and actionable strategic plan." As you can see, the strategic plan is all around the room. >> The positive direction of engaging the community. Well done. Excellent connection with board standards and your recognition that learning can't happen until the opportunity to learn is in place shows thoughtful and intentional governance. Great work. So, this honor uh celebrates school boards across Washington and demonstrate exemplary governance uh governance practices, strong

010community partnerships, and a commitment to student achievement. Edenville's five member board uh received this form of recognition uh on November 20th at the Wazda annual conference. Um and uh our elected officials, our student representatives, and our executive assistant to the board certainly deserve this honor. Now, these are my words. Um your consistent dedication and focus on student achievement and wellness is paying off in a big way. Um, so feel free to please join me in congratulating our board of director of recognition that Edenville School District board of directors continues to model strong collaborative leadership that supports the district vision of empowering every student to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. as such. Um, you know, we like pictures a lot and so if I can have invite you in front of the Edenville Strong, then I'll

011meet you over there. >> We refuse to pictures. So, I love pictures. We can have certificates for Rhonda and then for the Holy School District. So let's go ahead and like each other. Okay. >> We're gonna take a lot somebody has got to do. >> Cool. >> All right. All right. With that, we're going to take a recess just so we can do some adjusting and get some snacks. All right, we're going to unres. We've uh rearranged our seating. Welcome, Katie. We're so grateful to have you. >> Um and we've all had to snap, so apologize. This is going to be a eating and working event at the moment. Um the other thing that happens at this time of the year is we do our annual reorganization and our reorg happens in a flow. Um

012every year is uh president vice president. On odd years we do WIAA rep and on even years we do led rep. And um so today is the day when we do some board reorg. And so I will I have a script so that everybody knows that I'm following Robert's rules of order. I will follow through with the script. Um I call for nominations. So we will do chair, vice chair, and then we will do the WIA in that order. I call for nominations for board chair. >> I second. >> Thank you. Um are there any further nominations? >> Are there any further nominations? One last time I have to say it. Are there any further nominations? >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. Um, I appreciate your nomination and um, now we'll we will do a

013roll call vote. I >> say yes or no. Karen, >> yes. Colette, >> yes. >> Travis, >> yes. >> Katie, >> yes. >> And the vote is unanimous. Yes. Thank you. Thank you all. I really appreciate your support and hope that we can continue to push forward with some really great momentum that we have going on. of you. So, um we will now open nominations for vice chair. >> Uh nominate Paul. >> A second. >> It's been nominated and second for Paul. Are there any further nominations? >> All right. >> Hearing none. I know it's really weird, [laughter] but that's the way it is. Uh, hearing none, we will call for a roll call vote, please. >> Yes or no. Karen, >> yes. >> Plette. >> Travis, >> yes. >> I guess Rhonda, sorry. >>

014Katie, yes. >> Unanimous yes for Pette. >> Great. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Um, and now for the WIA, Washington intercolastic association representative for WASDA. Um that just means that if there's communication that comes from WASDA about WIA events um then you are the one that receives that and has the opportunity to share out to the board. So I will open nominations for WIA route for the board. >> I'd nominate Karen. >> Well, I'd like to keep everything the same since we have a new board member coming [laughter] up. I'd like to keep consistency. >> I'll second that. >> Are there any further nominations? >> I'll hold a little transparency. [laughter] There any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? >> We'll close and go for a roll call vote. >> All right. Yes or

015no? Pette? >> Yes. >> Rhonda? >> Yes. >> Travis? >> Yes. >> Unanimous. >> Great. Most [laughter] times, >> you really weren't fast enough. [laughter] >> I guess that's why they do the three times. And I don't know if we're allowed to, but in all honesty, I thank everybody on the board to help out when when I came on and having a new board member come on, having consistency of everybody in these roles again so we can learn the process and so you know who to go to. It's very very very important. So I appreciate >> that. That is really helpful because everybody kind of knows what your role is and if you have any questions you can >> um Great. So we don't even have to change seats. So much less chaos. Thank you.

016All right. Um, hearings of individuals and groups. >> I got >> all that fun. >> Nobody. >> All right. So, we're on to reports and presentations. We'll start by our budget report from Christa. >> Okay. Let's see. So, I have a lot tonight, so I'm going to kind of go over some things a little bit quicker and then maybe touch on them again in next month because we have a big year end report. Um so budget status for November um our revenues and expenditures are both right right at 24% 25% um which is a quarter to 25% through the year um so right on um right on target for that um I just want to say that originally when we did our budget um we were expected to draw down $2 million this year um

017for an ending fund balance of 667,000. Um if you look at the current fund balance projection that's provided that's the one with the chart with multiple years um it's showing us to be higher than that like at a 1.4 million although I I am very cautious about that because our enrollment could drop and that could change in a minute. Um, and there's too many things that could happen between now and the end of the year that we don't want to get overly excited about anything um quite yet until it gets closer in towards the summer. >> One of the big things that we I don't know that we anticipated in our budget that um is that we will now be charged sales tax ones. >> So that could immediately impact our budget. So there's legislation

018that's rolling in starting in 26, January 26 that we really have to be cautious about. >> Yeah. And we know last year our enrollment really took a dive at the first of the year. Um so we just need to prepare for that that that could happen. Um and our revenues could um decline while our expenditures stay um out. So obviously that wouldn't be the best scenario, but um we'll keep charging forward with um being conservative with our plans and our spending and um see what we can do to end the year um as strong as possible um so we can get our $10 back up. Um any questions on budget status? >> [clears throat] >> Katie, feel free >> and we we all need to be mindful. I love this when we have new board

019members and because and Susan's really great about reminding us not to use acronyms, >> but we'll need to remember to um not use acronyms to be really clear and if you have the questions, please ask them. >> This may not be the the right time for this question or I probably wouldn't have an answer, but Jay might as well. Do we have any indication or idea? Has there been any murmurings about how Yelm's situation might affect our enrollment? Do we know at all if we're going to gain? I mean, I know that's a probably a question with no answer. >> It's also hypothetical. Yeah, it's [laughter] >> Yeah, it's a hypothetical, so maybe it's a stupid question at this moment, but I didn't know. >> No, I think we I think it's a fair question.

020We we border them. Um Rosel Pierce County, not thirst county. Yeah, you can guess that there are superintendents in Thirstston County who are asking racing question right now, you know, like if if students do leave a certain district, what district are they going to? And so, um, yeah, it is all hypothetical at this point. >> Okay. >> I just didn't know if we had any idea from the state at all what's transpiring there. Have we have we seen any growth or have we seen any >> any kids involved that specify it's from Y? >> That I wouldn't know since I'm not at the building level. I have heard a couple people mention that they're coming from YM but we've always had a few that come from Y. >> Sure. Sure. So again >> if they're

021new students or not. That would be an interesting question to evaluate. >> Yeah, we can table it. I just it was something I was saying and there's really no answer at this time. I just was curious as to if mostly curious about if we know what their plan is and how that might affect us. So, all right. Sorry, continue. I apologize. >> Um, so just very high level what I would provide you on a monthly basis. It's going to be first of all um the budget status report which is that really um just black and white report with the blue heading on top. >> I was going to say can you Yeah. Point it out so Katie knows what to >> Yeah. So that report um is generated from our system um our accounting system

022Skyward which is also our student system Skyward um which will be migrating to Q cumled um this summer um July 22nd go dark um >> you're not focused on that data [laughter] >> um so in this report you're going to see that every one of our funds is in there. So you'll have your general fund um and it should say thank you Cassie. So it's going to tell you um general fund at the top for which month you're looking at and there's really no point in looking at October since we're already into November but sometimes you might want to look monthto month to see where um your expenditures are landing for that month um because they do fluctuate throughout the year. And so the revenue so you have your general fund um and then what

023your fund balance was at the end of that month. um is at the bottom there. Um total ending fund balance 3.3 for the month of October. Um sorry I'm in October but it's same information. And then you have capital projects funds. you have capital projects fund um our debt service our bonds um ASB private purpose trust which you don't see anything in there unless there's activity and then our transportation vehicle fund yellow buses only >> so the next thing that you're going to see is um your cash flow projection which is going to show um give you a monthly snapshot of where your cash would be if you just did revenues and expenditures. So, um but it aggregates across the year. So, we can see that during the month of um June, our cash is

024especially low in June. Um that's a little scary for me to see that it's um projecting to be that low in June. Um because things happen and we don't want to have to borrow from the state because we have to pay interest. Um, the other thing that Rhonda had pointed out was this nifty little chart they have here now, which is really hard to see. Um, they tell you your average days of cash flow through the year. So, and you want really want to be at like 30 um days of cash flow. Um, but because a portionment comes in at different um at different um proportions every month, it's it's never going to be a constant. It's just whatever the state's budget is, they'll like June's their fiscal year in, so they'll hold money back

025in June um to help end their budget some, but it cuts us short in June. So, puts us in a little bit of a predicament um for that month. Um then you'll just have a really nice graph for expenditures. Um this is through our um used to be forecast, now it's frontly analytics. Um it just tells you where we're trending. Um, and then here's that fun um, graph that tells you the history of our fund balance and what it does from month to month um, typically. Um, so it gives you an idea of what to expect. Um, and then another fun graph um, for your revenues. Um, and so that's that'll be every month. Um and okay, budget stat and so if there's not any more questions on that I can move on to the

026next one um which is our fiscal year end report. So it feels kind of odd to be talking about last school year because we're already into December of 2025. Um, but in my fiscal world, I'm always operating in three different fiscal years. Um, if not more. So, um, I'm always looking back, um, whether I'm closing the year or auditing the prior year and then working in the current year to make sure we're on track with all of our budgets and then trying to forecast for the next year out [clears throat] um, enrollment and revenues and expenditures. So great fiscal years usually at the same time um makes it a little bit a challenge to juggle. Um today we're going to look at um a recap of 2425 and see how we ended up. So, um,

027so enrollment, um, if you look at the very bottom on enrollment, it looks like we, um, fared really well, um, because it's showing that we came out 20th ed. Um, there's a lot more to unpack there. There really is. Um, because you can see where your basic ed was short 13.1 students. Um, and that's really where you're you have flexibility in your operating money is within basic ed. Um, you have a little more control over that. Um, alternative learning. Um, so you can see where that shift probably happened from basic ed to alternative learning. Um, alternative learning. Um, little bit harder and Sally's going to speak to alternative learning tonight. Um, alternative learning is a little bit harder to control the costs because of um that we contract with Spokane Virtual um and some other

028um educational agencies um that charge us per credit um and or per [clears throat] semester and so we don't really have a lot of control over that but >> it's one of the services that's going to be taxed as well. So, so these are things that we that just happened and we we didn't budget for them a year ago when we were doing budgets because the legislation hadn't even hit when we started planning our budget. It wasn't even on the floor. So, this is going to be a really tricky year. >> Yeah. >> Um and we don't tax separately by budget code. So, it's going to be hard for us to quantify how much tax do we actually pay. Um so, Um, alternative learning obviously can be good because you know when you only offer

029one foreign language, this gives you an opportunity to offer more or other classes or flexibility. Um, but Sally will speak to that later. Um, running start we came out ahead. Um, eight students, that's pretty much flow through money, so we keep 7% of it. Then 93% goes to the college. Um, and I previously sent all of you um, a briefing about Running Start and and how that impacts our district. And I'd be happy to share that out with anybody else um, if anybody else wants that information. Just a little more detail. Um, open doors um, dropout re-engagement um, ages 16 and up. Um that's pretty much that's an in and out also 93% and um 7% to the district to um operate that that program and continue serving those students in other areas. Um transition

030to c to kindergarten was more of a newly added um program in the last what is this our third year? I think um our third year. So, it does tend to um I like when I look at enrollment, I kind of like to leave that out because if I'm looking 10 years back, it it inflates our numbers. So, I'm just really careful about that. >> Can I ask a question [clears throat] around um the TK numbers and additionally the running start numbers when we're looking at our FTES, right, to be a class two district versus um because it's that 2000, right, that clicks us over. Um are TK included in those numbers? I don't know. >> And [clears throat] Running Start, are they full FT? Like what kind of FTE? You don't know the answer

031to that? >> I don't have the answer. >> Okay, I'll find out. >> Running start is considered full FT. >> I believe so. >> I think >> I would say if they were registered in one of our >> Okay, I'll find out. >> I think so because when you look at our enrollment report, it gives you like a grand total. So my assumption would be that grand total would be everything. Um but I'd want to verify that. >> Okay. Thank you. Um so those are our variances um for the whole district um for the whole year. Um and our enrollment is measured um September through June averaged except now um you also have running start and open doors in running start that's reported in um July and August. So that's averaged um as well for

032those categories. Um, >> okay. >> Why are they why are they reported in July? >> Um, >> well, because running start now there's a new role where you can qu they can take extra classes. Um, I'd have to get more details on that. >> So, they can Interesting. That's great. I'm It used to be that we don't pay for those summer classes. So, now those fall under the running start program. Yeah. >> Another thing for me to look up. Love it. Thank you. >> Yeah, that's a new one >> that started last last summer. has several. >> Okay. And then um so going to the next one um our revenue overview. Um so we budgeted um we exceeded our budget in revenues. Um you know I'd say that in large part to our um our

033tutoring fund which brought in over $200,000 for Joe Hart for tutoring. Um so that that helped us kind of push over that um that budget there. So um >> but but they're very designated funds. So we cannot look at that as those who fill the gap on any other short call. They're very directed. Right. Correct. >> Yeah. They're accounted for in a special budget code is criteria. >> Um and that falls underneath the other in capacity at 226, but there's some other stuff in there too. So um and you'll see on the next slide it breaks it out like how much of our revenue and what percentages make up that hole. Um so on the next one gives us a better visual of that. Um so you can see that the state fund last year

034took up um 75% of our revenues in state funds. the bulk of it. Um 90 19% local and we'll go into breaking those out a little bit further in the next couple um 5% federal and then 1% in that other um program. So um okay so local revenues just to dissect that a little bit um the bulk of our local revenues come from local levy taxes. um last year was just over $6 million and then we had some timber taxes at 109. Um there's a little there's some information on here if you want to learn more about um our levy. Um we do have quite a bit of information on there just for um for the readers. Um we don't have to go into explaining all of that tonight. But >> can I explain can

035I express some good news? J back me up on this if I'm saying this the wrong way. Um, we just spoke to our uh, bond advisor Corey Pleer from Gay Davidson and he said in the last year there were $33 million of new construction, new homes in our school district, which means it individual families the rates going to be lower. There are going to be more people to help um, support the levy. So I was surprised there were $33 million worth of construction in our district. So that's great news, >> right? >> Yes. So just further on that, so if you have x number of people who are paying a fixed set for the levy, that fixed amount never changes, but if you get more people that are shouldering that cost, then the rates are

036going to go down for them. So that's the good news. >> It's great. Um so those are our local taxes and then we have our local non-t tax um which include um our preschool tuition, uh swim lessons and pool rentals. Um our investment earnings which have been doing pretty well. Um donations and local grants. Um a small amount of fines and damages. Um food service meal payments which is actually down because we've got our free meals. So that is actually DAM and it is considered local but it's also considered federal because it gets put into the federal program and those local funds become federal funds. >> It's a weird thing but that's how it works. Um a little bit of ASB reimbursements um so if ASB um pays to go on a trip and we

037have to save um they're going we have to run everything through our general payroll um and ASB will pay us back. Um, so if they take a trip over to Levvenworth for, you know, a basketball tournament and they want to do that, the students vote voted to do do that, they um raise the extra money, um, you know, our drivers still going to drive them there and then they'll pay us back. So that's what those AM ASB reimbursements are. And then little bits of miscellaneous revenues. Um, so that's local and then state. Um so we have our general aortionment which it which within that includes ali and CTE um and then special education. Um so just general purpose there's really not a lot of um um requirements tied to those. Um then you have special

038purpose. So our parish certification so we have to our pairs have to be certified through with so many um credits. Um and we get Sally fills out a survey and we get reimbursed for that. Um special education state transition to kindergarten um lap um bilingual high cap you can see some of these numbers um isn't enough to provide a whole teacher. Um so when we're looking at bilingual and high cap that doesn't even make a whole teacher to serve all five of our buildings. So um just think it's important to know that. Um and then food services um and state revenues um cable transportation and then that one time only $50 was that one time MSOC material supplies and operating costs that the state was um generously gave us for um some extra supply money.

039Um and then special and pilot programs. Um those are all of our grants um that Sally and others help um to manage. um a lot of work that goes into those. So um so on the side here I have just kind of what those requirements are on some of these like for lap um and food services and then these special and pilot programs. There's a lot of um things that are tied to that funding um that we're required to do um from audits to tracking um they're very labor intensive and time consuming um but um certainly nice to have then federal revenues. Um we got a little mention of federal forest um money in federal revenues. Um and then this is the area that faces the most scrutiny. This is the one that I have

040to report on our um SEA which is our schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Um and so we put this on I put this on my SIPA and then the state auditor looks and says okay I need to audit at least 5% of this. I'm going to pick um special ed this year and then to round it off maybe title two. Um so they have a set amount that they audit um from this list. um and we don't know what they're going to do from year to year and it's um anyway it's um they go through and look at all the transactions and make sure they're spent correctly and so it's quite labor intensive. >> Um the red highlighted I'm sorry on that slide those that are what you're saying is we do not know

041what our forecasted revenue will be for 2627 and those in title one two and Okay. >> And I was actually just in a um a blog webinar today and I just I heard that food services is safe, but this is the one area that is still um under scrutiny and whether they're going to reduce it or reallocate it or what they're going to do with it, we have no idea. Okay. Big chunk of money. That's a big chunk of money. >> That's a lot of interventions and professional development. Yeah. Um, okay. >> Expenditures to budget. Um, this is probably my most favorite part. Um, we had an original budget of um, 36,144,416. And if you recall, um, I asked um, you to revise that budget for an additional 500,000 because I was worried that we

042were going to overspend that and we did not want to be in that position. But I did tell you that it was a precautionary measure and um so I'm happy to report today that we did um stay within our original budget by $45,000. So >> John and team >> yes every department um worked to make that happen. So, um, and then let's see. >> Um, and then expenditures by program. Um, in the past, district-wide support has been lumped together with transportation and food services, but I thought it was helpful to kind of break that out so you could actually see how much goes to transportation and food services. And then any questions on this um that little bit of capital outlay I believe was for some lease was for leases. Um zero I'd have to

043look at that but there's not a lot going on in there because most of our capital actually is in capital progress. Um okay, expenditures by objects. Um not a lot of change from prior years, but you can see that you know we are a service-based um we are a service- based organization. So naturally um you know the majority of our costs are going to be wages. Um so we're we're not an inventory based company um organization. So it's always going to be concentrated in wages. How I'm sorry to throw this at you since you can get back to me on um employee benefits at 22%. That's a that's a pretty big chunk. Um is there do we can you give us some historical not now but can you send us out some historical information on

044how that's increased >> over maybe the last six years? I'd like to share that >> to see what that looks like. >> Doesn't have to happen right now, but um it's increasing and that's significant. >> Yeah. And one of the things that we know has changed when we went from PEB um to SEB, so was it public employees benefits to >> Yep. to school >> to school employees um benefit is um our employees can decline benefits, but we still have to pay the benefits. So, if we have substitutes that hit 630 hours or more, we have to provide benefits to them. Even if they decline, even if they already have benefits and they absolutely do not want them, we still have to pay them. So, that runs about $15,000 per year. Um, we've had some

045re um retiree rehires and they said they don't want them, that it messes with their retirement plans, but yet we still have to provide that if they fit those hours. Um, so >> I think I mentioned it before. Did we put that out to the staff? I know when I was staff, I declined it thinking I was doing a favor for the district and it's just like no, I don't need it. That's fine. And >> yeah, we have to tell them and they don't like that. [laughter] >> But you do tell them we still have to pay for it because I think I would have taken it if I >> Oh, if you knew we still had to pay >> if you if I knew it was still costing the district. I did it to

046not cost the district money. >> Yeah. >> And I think in the end it probably does save because it saves the pool from that cost going up. So in the long run it benefits but >> and the employee probably has to pay a portion for insurance also. Is there a portion that's deducted >> contribution at all? >> I'd have to you mean if they decline it? I'd have to look at >> if they don't Oh no. Yes. We have to. >> Yeah. So you do at least don't have to pay the contribution. Yeah. >> If you decline it. But that that's a really good point because I do think people think that they're, you know, >> favor or whatever. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, lots of other benefits that keep popping up. Um, so it'd

047be kind of neat to look at all of those as a whole. >> So, okay, the next one, um, this was a new one this year. So, I've got a transportation snapshot and a food services snapshot. Um, I thought it was not very fair for me to just provide you with a 24 25 snapshot, but I wanted to put some historical information in here as well. Um, [clears throat] so you could really see um what our what the norm has been. Um, so you can see with transportation that we've always been in the red. Um now a lot of that is you know district initiative and um you know our inner district transfers and those sorts of things are um backfilled with our levy funds um because we know you know our community doesn't always

048want to go to the school in their neighborhood or the school they're assigned to. So you know we have those choice transfers and our levy dollars um pay for those. Um but it's grown a lot bigger than just that now in the recent years. So, um, so I do have a more comprehensive, um, snapshot of transportation and everything that impacts this because there's a lot that goes into this. Um, this is just more of a very high level overview. Um, that starts with 2122 like, wow, we did great, but really we didn't because students weren't getting to school. So, we really didn't do that well in that regard. Um, the next year we put a lot of um, dollars into training. um and students were often getting to school. We still had a lot of

049training happening. So, it was a long we know it's a long process to um to get them trained. So, and then 23 24 um they're mostly getting to school with an occasional counsel route because we don't have enough subs at that point. Um so, and then fast forward to 2425, we are doing great um by getting all of our kids to school. Um haven't missed a route in 20 plus months. >> 20 plus months. >> Well, um and [laughter] um a lot of miles, a lot of miles traveled and um a lot of route. So um that leaves us um at quite a deficit there for this year. Also taking into consideration gas new gas taxes have come up and we are not exempted from that. Um, and I want to thank Representative Marshall for

050pre-filing um, some legislation to exempt school districts from tax on fuel. So, every little bit helps, but um, again, those are just >> constant increases in our expenses that we don't always have >> any foresight. We don't know that it's coming. >> So, I shared our trans my transportation sheet with you all um, and I sent it to Carolyn because she's the one that processes all the bills and she sees all the nitty-gritty and she says, "But we're tax exempt." And I'm like, but I don't know about that. So, she said, "Here's our certificate." So, I looked at it and I'm digging. I'm digging. We're exempt from paying federal, but the state taxes and the environmental taxes and those sorts of things still apply. Um, so we are still heavily paying taxes on our fuel.

051>> Yeah. >> So, let's see here. So, if you want any more information on that, I can um send that to you or if you want me to resend it. Um, next one, food services. Um, so this one makes me a little bit more hopeful. Um, you can see that on average we've lost we've operated at about a $200,000 deficit um in food services. Um, I am a little bit more helpful about this one because we can there's a lot of things that we can do to increase our revenues. Um, [clears throat] we know that we have improvements to make on our school meals. Um, we know that it used to be scratch cooking what 15 years ago and then everything shifted and then co hit and we went to packaged and now it's just

052every student you everybody's so used to processed foods and and they they get used to it and so it's going to take some time to get them used to the new cooking. Um, and the change doesn't happen overnight so I mean they still like their nachos. Um, [clears throat] you can't change that but um but we're going to keep working on that. Um, and you can see school year 18/19. That was when we had contracted with um, Bethzel for meals. >> Um, and the next year we we took it on on our own. Um, and then the pandemic hit and we we had a lot of shifts. So in meals were free, reimbursements were higher. the the federal government was reimbursing us for a lot larger amounts. So, we were actually able to make a

053profit. Um, now that money had to stay in food services because again it's a federal program, but that was all in there because of all those relief funds and increased meals and the same amount of staff. So, we we had the same amount of staff and more meals and more revenue. um 2223 that that profit was used to offset the loss in 2223. So we would have had um just shy of a $300,000 loss in 2223. Um so considering that to go from 300 to 140 um is a significant improvement. Now 2425 um anticipating all of the free meals um at warehouser and ees we did add a little bit of staff and that's that's what mainly contributed to the $170,000 deficit. >> Have we seen more uh meals being >> yes purchased but used?

054>> Definitely we have served more meals definitely. Um and that's resulted in a little bit extra income but not a not a big difference. Um though >> did it justify the extra staffing? I guess that was my question. >> Not um so we are partnered with um ESC 113 and 121 um and they provide us with um they provide um Bethy with tremendous um mentorship on not just scratch cooking but but food services as a business as a whole. um and they're already finding ways to save money um and streamline operations um already this year. So anyway, long story short, um I'm really curious what this next year is going to be, but I think we're on a good trend forward um and getting some good information to make solid decisions in this program. um

055Amaz. So, our materials, supplies, and operating costs, um or purchase services, however you want to frame that. Um this is a little subjective because I had to pull some transactions together. Um obviously, insurance was its own vendor. Um but that's our top purchase service and then running start. Um psychology and speech purchase services. um that was high because we had to contract that out um because they were in short supply at that point. So we're hoping this year with that being in house that'll help reduce that cost. Um electricity I have seen a little drop in electricity of consumption of high fuel because the between the project and the solar panels um it's a little bit more um efficient at consuming. Um anyway, >> and we're gonna see our water bill go down because we

056>> our water bill is going to go down. So, we should see that. Yeah, that will help. >> So, something you have here. Thank you for being so um detailed in this. You're helping me come up to questions. I'm sorry. I'm per purchase services. That's what we're being taxed on now. Running we're paying we're going to pay purchase services taxes on Running Start tuition. Um, it's very specific things and I haven't had a chance to look at all of that yet. Um, that would be crazy. >> Yeah, they're very specific purchase services. >> That would be double dipping. Like that would be charging us and the university for >> So, I'd have to get more information on that. I think everybody right now is at this point where they're trying to figure it out. So,

057>> well, and then there'll be legislation to change it. That's the hope. >> And nobody wants to ask too many questions. >> Yeah, that's true. >> Yeah. >> Good point. Okay. So what happened? >> Um >> so our MOX total was just shy of 6.5 million. Our funded amount is right around 3.5 to 3.6. So we were at 300 I mean 3 million above than what we're funded for. Um yeah, okay, just a general fund summary. Um so our beginning fund balance and just a really quick note, I had to make some corrections to our 20 um 324 financial report with our state auditor's office when they were here last spring. So it um reduced our our ending fund balance for 2324 by 13,619. So that then reduced the beginning fund balance for 2425. Um

058when I talked to OSPI they said yeah you and 30 some other districts. Um so it was at least other 30 plus other districts at that time that had to make those corrections for their lease um for at least reporting. um didn't feel so bad because there wasn't a lot of guidance on it. So, um it's okay, we're getting it now. Um and so we saw a net reduction to our funds of 616,000 last year. Um any questions on that? >> Do we have any prediction for this year as to if that will be higher or lower? So, we budgeted to draw down this year by 2 million, which was significant. Um, but we are working really hard to have that be a lot less than that. >> Um, because now we know, um, this

059year's the year when we start cutting into our, um, minimum fund balance. So, this we ended fine, >> but the trajectory where we're going is not showing that. >> Okay. So, we're going to have to correct that, >> which we're trying to do midway. Um, but also planning next year. And, um, there'll be a lot of hard decision. >> So, that that was my question. I was going to wait till the end, but um, one of the things, and maybe you don't have to answer now, but would be helpful going forward would be breakdowns of, and I don't want to ask more on your plate, so I don't know how we can help, but breakdowns per program like, >> you know, does that make sense? like the, you know, staffing for and I don't want

060to list them because people have a panic attack about what I'm talking about, but I'll, you know, >> what is it costing per program? >> Um, so we can make some decisions if we need to at some point. So, >> so, um, >> one thing that I will say that you might want to take a look at, um, is, and I can send you a copy of the, um, and I meant to do this, the, um, F196. I don't know why they call them F196, but the F196 is their code their their code language for financial report. Um, and so if you look at the F196, um, about halfway through, um, and I'd love to sit with you and go through this. Um, it'll have a breakdown by program. So, it's going to show, okay,

061in program 0 basic ed, this is what we spent. In program 0200, >> you go ahead and finish. Sorry. Yeah. And then so they'll have like your community services, which is where our pool is, and then they'll have our food services and transportation, but there's a lot more in there. >> I I'm looking more granular, like we need to know what the farm runs with staff, number of kids, number of FTE, how many periods is that, how much is the travel? We're talking very granular. Yeah. >> Um pool, how many people are employ help in that role with schedules? What I mean? So, >> you know, cool. I have a list and I can email it to you, but um >> because those are part of those larger buckets. >> Yeah. >> But there's some

062things in those larger buckets like busing. >> You can't take a bus out of a rub without changing massive systems that we may be able to, but we just need to be prepared for every conversation on the table. >> And so that that's my >> Yeah. >> my my want. And and I think it helps to have like the specifics like okay the pool in grits then we can really look at that because if we look at the pool by itself in program 8900 that's only going to tell you what we spent. It's not going to tell you the revenues that we brought in. >> So we need to know okay what revenues did we bring in? If we brought in 200,000 and spent or if we brought in 100,000 and spent 200,000 then we

063know that we're at about a h 100,000 deficit. I think what makes it challenging is um you have intangible cost, you know, labor that's out there and that's hard to quantify when you have, you know, say you have um you know, a couple maintenance people. Um you really got to look and see, okay, how many hours a day are they spending on the pool? And we're really getting down to the nitty-gritty of cost now at this point because we're having to. Well, that's what that's exactly what I'm saying because in that scope talking about the pool instead of general and I'm not advocating for the pool. I'm simply using as an example is you also have classes and so on. So that's crossing into your staffing and FTES. So where does that so each of

064these are pools that overlap each other um grits we have bar of uh driving on a bus which takes up an entire period. Okay. So there you have an FTE of student loss that you're paying. I'm not advocating for gam. saying these are costs. We have to know the full picture. So, and that that's what I mean by a granular breakdown that would be beneficial because we're not going to make those differences in one giant program anymore. Sports, how many how many C squads, how many teams do we have? We've added teams, what's that look like, how much we paying for refs. I mean, the these are the granular things I think that would help us us make a decision come decisions if needed. So, and I just don't want to be caught in March

065having to make knee-jerk reaction decisions that aren't best for kids as we work from outside close in. So, that that's my question. So, >> so I think it would be helpful um if we have um I've got in my mind the you know just to know what grits is costing us and what and not not so much necessarily because it's on the chopping block. It just to know what cost goes into it because maybe there's something creative we can do with it. >> Exactly. Um, so what are those costs and how can we be creative and combine that with other things? Um, because there are things there, right? Um, so yeah, so what are those things that we really want to dissect and then I can start pulling together that information. Um, the hard part

066for me is I want to give you exact numbers and when you're dealing with like something like a swimming pool, it's a little bit hard to do that. >> Absolutely. Um but um we're going to do our best to get it down, you know, as as close within range as we can. Yeah. >> Thank you. have to account for funds according to what the Washington state legislature re requires us to do. So I have an account which is school district accounting manual. There's an acronym for that SDA. Um but it's like five or six hundred pages long. It's it's incredible. And so the state legislature says that we have to account for these funds separately from the general fund. Um and it's prescribed and it's law. Um and I'm audited on this. We are audited

067on this. Um, and so we just spent a lot of time talking about the general fund. Um, but we also have our capital projects fund and um, our debt service fund where our bonds are service um, our ASB and our transportation vehicle fund. So um, so let's take a look at those. This year I had to add an extra slide for capital projects because we had a lot going on. Um so capital projects fund. Um if I can start with the expenditures. Um we are trying to put as much as we can in capital projects because the more we can put here that's the less out of general fund. um so we can keep those cuts as far away from the classroom as possible while still operating within the parameters of um the law. Um

068so all of these things were um charged to capital projects last year. Um the items in blue had grant funding um there's our new CC boiler um which most of it was paid for with grant money which was awesome. Um, but you can see we had a lot of stuff going on here. So, um, we are right now, um, I think everyone is fully aware that we have a big project going out behind us right now with the track and field, but we also have some playground equipment that's on order. We're just waiting for, um, it to arrive for warehouser. Um, so we have a grant that Jay worked um, really hard at getting through Pierce County um, council and um, that will fund $50,000. But um am I missing a slide? >> Oh, well

069yeah, you have it up there. It's fine. We just we don't have this sheet. Not that I Oh, no. It's down here at the bottom. I'm sorry. >> I lied to you. Thank you. Sorry. Sorry. >> Um so anyway, that's coming soon. So we are we're just trying to It's a lot because it's a it's a um six-year fund for capital projects. So we want to get all of these things done at once. Um, and you can't because the money is not there for six years. So, we're trying to juggle everything that we can with the grant money that's coming in so we can get everything that as much as we can out of that six years. Um, it's just, you know, things happen according to grants. Um, so we can maximize our taxpayer dollars.

070Okay. And let's see, revenues. revenues, um grants, the levy taxes. Um I am seeing an uptick in a rebound in impact fees. Not what we have been getting, but um we're averaging like right around $10,000 a month in impact fees um for new construction in rural Pierce County. Um and then we are getting about $15,000 a month in interest, which has been fabulous. Um, but as we um draw down that balance to pay for this project, that interest will go away, but it's really nice to see it in there right now. So, um, and then our limited general obligation bond. And then just a little recap on that bond. Um, just because that's a new thing in this in this fund. Um, you can go back and and look at some of the notices in

071the hearings um that we've had um this last year. So, and then oh, and then there's a kiddo using one of our new smart boards um that was replacing a very uh aging TV projection um fleet. Um those were around for quite a while and um I think Jim can testify that they were consuming more and more of text time. Um, and so we needed to replace those um, either with the same TVs or something better. Um, got we actually got a seven-year guarantee on. So there's that. And then so what is in the fund of capital projects? Um, we had our beginning fund balance and then our revenues, which is all that limited general obligation bond. Um, because we don't normally have that much revenue in that fund. Um and then all those projects

072that came out at 2.7 for an ending fund balance of 5 million which um poises us to pay for the next few months um for the track and field playgrounds and any little things that might come up. Um but it's getting really tight. So we really got to be careful about how many ventures we do with capital projects. So, um, with a lot of these grants that we get, which are wonderful, um, they they often time will take m they require matching funds and if you don't have the money to match, then you can't get them. So, they can it can be a little challenging. Um, so we're going to have to kind of hang tight on some of those for a while, I think. Um, and debt service fund. Um so I broke out

073the revenues a little bit more this year so you could see um look at that interest in um investments at 53,000 um and some state force money into so some nice revenues this year. Um so the debt service fund is um for paying on our bonds for our construction back in ' 08. Um, and as you can see, um, there's our principal and interest payment for the year. So that's, um, every year, um, our PNI. So there's that. And see, I think Cassy's daughter might be in that picture. [laughter] Is she in there? >> Oh, yeah. No, I see her. >> She was in the last one last year, too. Um, >> She's doing this. Um, so happy to see a lot of expenditures and revenues coming in and out of here. Um, and showing

074that our kids are um, having lots of fun doing lots of activities. So, it's nice to see that. And then on the next slide is actually the fund balance for each of the buildings. Um, and just a little fun fact, um, ASB earns money on investments, too. So, we invest their money every month and then it's divided out based on their balance. Um, so high school gets a bigger portion of the interest. Um, and then middle school and Columbia. Um, and that typically runs about $500 a month that they get about 400 a month that they get in interest and that's divided out um proportionately. So, >> it's pretty cool. Free money for them. Um, and then transportation vehicle fund. Um, currently we can only use this money for yellow school buses. Um, not motorpool

075fleet yet. Um, I think we're waiting on that, aren't we? >> I thought the white I thought the white fleet. >> I think we can claim if you if you drive them in a white van, we can claim them as for riders. >> Okay. >> But I don't think we for that. Yeah. Right. So >> something else to work on? >> Yeah, make a list. Um, so our depreciation comes in every year in August. Um, every time we buy a bus, we report it to OSPI and they put it on this schedule. Um, and then we receive money every year in August for um, these buses as they age. Um, as they get really old, they give us larger payments um, so we can replenish that stock. Um, we've got three buses on order right

076now. One's going to arrive in August and then the other two will be a bit earlier. So, trying to get rid of those old buses that are costing department a lot of money to maintain. Um, our we have a pretty large fleet because we have to cover a lot of miles. Um, and with with um an older fleet um it it does become a maintenance challenge. So, and that's transportation. And then I guess we got lies ahead. Um I think Travis was speaking to a lot of that and some of the challenges that we're looking at. Um but also some opportunities that um you know, we're hopeful that we can um we can gain some grant and food services to help cover you know, some of our deficits in other areas and um continued great

077grant work. um that we're um I think we're pretty good at and um we'll keep working on those. Um, so any thoughts? I I really appreciate that you put progress on strategic plan focused spending because if we're really going to we have to tackle the budget issue, but doing it according to the strategic plan that had really outstanding community input, um it helps us really focus on making sure that we're directing our energy and our resources towards the things that are important to our community. So, thank you for keeping that front of mind. I really appreciate that. Yeah, I would just to be clear, I wasn't I suppose anybody who actually might go back and listen to this YouTube video because it bored. Um I I was I'm not advocating for any particular program. I

078just really I have not been through this process ever. Um you know, obviously being relatively semi new to the board or at least in this this time. And so like you know as we look at this budget shortfall like everybody doing across the state everywhere um you know I just want to make sure we can help make the best decisions possible from further from kids towards kids you know like what what do we need to do we need all the cards on the table for that for everything. Um, and I really hope Jay that, you know, that helps too with your guys' staff of, you know, can we get principles all in a room to discuss, you know, everything from shared staff, you know, how to maximize our schedules and things like that because every

079little bit is going to add up. So, um, and that's just my two cents. I just want to make that clear, but I'm not you, we mentioned programs and there are people out there that gonna have a heart attack and that's not the case. I mean, there's a whole list. Um, but >> you know, we've been through this before. We'll figure it out. But that you know just the more the more evidence we have the better the more data we have the better you know um decisions we can make. So >> you Christa you've done a whole lot of hard work this week in the holiday season and we want to thank you so much and hopefully now you can enjoy Christmas. Um I know the end of the year wraps things up and it's

080difficult but thank you so much for all of that. All right, Sally is back and feeling better and ready to present on ALE, which is alternative learning experience. >> Skip enrollment. >> I'm really sorry. >> We skipped enrollment. >> I thought we talked about enrollment. >> We'll make it super fast. >> Oh, did we? >> I guess I looked at it when we were Go ahead. Let's do it. >> Okay, super fast. Okay, so enrollment. Um, so I sent you guys earlier just basically a snippet of what what our four months are. So September, October, November, and December to budget. Um, so we are and we are up 31. Um, alternative learning is down for budget, but we expect that to shift between those two categories. Um, and we did kind of already go over

081some >> we talked a lot about it. This is it's good. This is very detailed report that we should >> kind of stuff >> um transition to kindergarten. I think it's important to note that that's caps at 48. We might have a few more kids in there than that from time to time, but which is great. Um just know that our revenue is capped at 48. Um and then special education is um on the rise um and typically does increase through the year and that's what these numbers are showing. Um and then you'll find that bilingual is ahead of budget by 8.75 um students so far and ahead of last year by 7.4. Um so we will see what the next few months >> we're going to have to start looking at our budgeting for

082bilingual, aren't we? >> Okay. Okay. Here tonight to present our annual report. So annual review of our alternative learning experience or education I'd say um lead the school district I'm going to [clears throat] start just walk you through the bullet points and each uh piece of information that's included in your plan I'm going to highlight um through a question session so what is alternative learning experience ALE is defined as a state definition as courses or grade level coursework where some or all of the instruction takes place independent from the regular classroom. Um it's not based on daily classroom attendance like traditional programs. These are my summary notes of the information something. Okay. Um provides flexibility for students to complete coursework outside of traditional settings. And of course, our program requires annual approval for policy number

08322355 or the WAC 392121182 um which is Washington administrative code. Um and we are currently in the middle school district serving uh excuse me alternative learning experience in grades 7 through 12. uh an update on how many students are currently enrolled. And of course, it shifted since I've given you these numbers. Um but for this year, as of September, we had 83 students that headcount um enrolled and then se in October went to 92 in November to 94. And then um I could give you the FTE. And when I say FTE full-time equivalent, we'll see even though we had 83 students for headcount enrolled um we had total this number is probably not in your packet because I added this together, but 37.59 FTE uh for both schools. [clears throat] Um and that was September.

084And then of course by November we were at 45.69 FTE. So just just to clarify for Katie and I guess even to remind myself, we are funded um so you said we had headcount of 80 plus, but we're only funded for 37. So that's where that comes into play. Like if they're only here half time, we only get partial funding. So when we're we, you know, we may have more kids on campus, but we're not being funded fully for each one of those students. >> Okay. Correct. >> Thank you. >> Yes. unless they're split like maybe they're taking three regular classes into um a class and then we'll have basic funding and a funding paid out. Um so um the questions always ask well how many students are going full-time. So at EMS we go

085all day in an alternative learning setting we have six students right now and it at EHS through grad alliance we have eight. So most of our kids are partnering as you can see from those numbers. Um we have staffing um who are supporting that program. So we have Anisa Parks and Alison Minus who's also supporting that as well as Kristen Dill or the substitute Christ um along with of course with Amy and we're currently funding those all those books through it. Um our program requirements um you keep us compliant with state regulations. Um there's quite a few things with that. Um before I jump in that I'm going to back up for a minute and tell you that we have we have a couple different programs for AL and EMS. They did do egeneuity last

086year and we reviewed that all this Spokam virtual for lots of reasons. the quality of instruction all independent. Um, and then our teachers were trying to support that. Like we have kids were were accelerated and were taking Japanese. Well, we don't have a teacher that can speak Japanese. And at that point it was Allison minus and she was trying to support kids in content areas that she was not not as articulate as she'd like to be. So we really wanted to give our kids high quality option when they're when we're going to do this and we're going to pay for that. Um, and then we have Grad Alliance. We have a few AL kids in the grat alliance new beginnings program. That was the number I gave you. Um at the high school um and

087at EHS we also had um 66 students that's headcount at one point enrolled in Spokane College and that has changed since I got that information from M creative. Um so what are our key components and back to that? So the other piece of that is it with Spokam virtual doing uh they have a teacher in this they have a teacher in the virtual classroom they have their classmates there's assignments they have instruction and some of the additional supports they need um which we did not have in Ingenuity. So in that piece requirements that either are done by Spokane virtual or by our staff are that every student has to have a written student learning plan. Um there has to be weekly contact with C certificated teachers and in the case of Spokam Virtual that is

088also shown through assignment completion um and checking in that way with uh students as well. There's a monthly evaluation of student progress um and um also um weekly if students are having struggle and I can speak a little more about that. Um program require requirements are that we have accessibility for all students regardless of background and we offer that. Um we are in line with our district plan academic goals and preparation for life and this program. Um our staff also have to provide verification of student work. We need to keep track of that. We need to make sure that we have an accreditation online programs and we do. And then there's annual student assessment for the courses they're taking. Can I ask a quick question? Are we are these students housed in our buildings typically

089when they're doing these or are they off off campus? >> Depends. Most of our I think most of our um students who are doing AL full-time are off campus >> and do we allow middle school students to do that? >> We do have some that would have been homeschooling. >> Okay. That are opting for them to do this. >> So this is a virtual project. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um >> so okay and so a little bit about the written student learning plan. Um the purpose of that is so we ensure that students have a personalized learning path. Um what they choose and remember that students might be taking this to recover credit. They may be in the AL program to accelerate learning or have other learning options that we don't offer on our

090campuses. Um but in the student learning plan uh it's established with the parent and the student. They have to have clear beginning and end dates. We have to have weekly hours of engagement in the learning activities. There needs to be a description of weekly contact requirements. We have detailed course descriptions. We have to identify what teacher is responsible for each course. Um what instructional materials the parents need to know that students need. we are running into in the tech world um different uh apps that are coming for that that uh Spokane Virtual in particular want students to use that may cost money um and so we're having to find other options. Our tech team is for those students and sometimes work with Spokane Virtual on that. I've been in contact uh with the lead there

091for a couple different things. So that plays into that a little bit. Um um because we need to make sure they have the tools to do the class like digital, there's a digital um photography course and they wanted some specific apps that the students use and then sometimes we bump into the uh age requirements and age restrictions on some of those. Um so we have a uh Spokane Virtual and Grad Alliance offer a list of instructional materials. includes whatever instructional materials a child might need in that plan um and how the timelines and methods for evaluating student progress. And of course there it's aligned to um common core standards in the courses they teach for students on a weekly progress monitoring. We we do have some students we're doing that with um that is maybe

092because they're struggling to pass classes so they have to have satisfactory and on pace with uh passing grades. um each week. If they're an unsat for three weeks, then we have to create a intervention plan for those students. We put them on that for three consecutive weeks um to see if they can um pass those classes. Um after three weeks, um we would make decisions about terminating that and putting them back into the regular session. Um that's part of the requirements in that weekly progress monitoring. So, we don't want kids to sit in those classes for a quarter over half a year and not be making progress. If you're going to be online in that setting, we need to help students have success. Um, so weekly progress is sent to parents and students via email.

093And then our counselors are always reaching out to students who are struggling working with the student but also making contact with the parent. >> Can I ask a quick question? I think it links into this. Are we using any of this for our I know the ninth grade tutoring money from the kind fund is going for those ninth grade um supports. Are we using any of these programs for that and the tutoring for supporting any of those? Okay. >> Okay. Maybe something to think about. >> Um so we have to do monthly reporting or the staff do on attendance and so those are completed. um and has come up to carry and are also part of how they generate funding for our AL program. Um and there's set um forms that they have to keep

094in the building. Again, attendance tracking is tracked through required student engagement like locking logging in daily participation in the live sessions, interacting with teacher. Um, and then also following whatever rules the T12 platform has virtual, sorry, virtual is still this is very cool. It just I think it's mostly from people. In ingenuity was not you couldn't get high school credit with Ingenuity, right? Ambers where we can. >> We're currently doing still doing credit retrieval with high school at the high school. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, is it is it accredited then? I mean I mean >> so we have our own teacher. >> You have your own teacher? >> So they're just using the materials and then Rex Norris and I think Nation now is doing some of that. >> So the kids at the

095middle school are still you were talking about can still use virtual correct? Is that is that >> they're only using it? >> Yeah. So to the people out there again that might be listening, I just think it's really important for them to know that's really a neat option for kids to also because they're able to get a high school credit if they which frees up their core 24 at the high school which gives more options. So um that's just something important I think for people to know that whereas in the past when we had an ingenuity class for example in middle school they couldn't get high school credit for it because it was not an accredited school on its own. So that's the nice thing about Spokane virtual. So >> and we also are offering

096nth grade art and algebra other courses at middle. >> Thank you high school friends. So um anyway, so students have to do a sequential completion of course work and receive a minimum uh score of 60% for mastery or to advance to any higher level courses if they um just know that we have in-person test monitoring for students. We do we have the option of using GoG Guardian for approved remote assessments and of course the tests are locked until teacher permissions granted. Um and just know that please I think funding mama Christa talked to funding funding for AL. Um but our funding is usually based on the running start nonvocational rate. Um [clears throat] the number I I was given was a rate of $10,000 $10,291 per student this year. um statewide average rate and statewide

097average rate for grief and it's the same rate we get regardless of any type of AL course the student might take um again I would have to say the AL program is aligned with our district goals I already said it I would say the program is supported if we look at how the words of our strategic plan is written and advances our district vision for academic success objectives for all of our students. Um it incorporates equity equity. I think with Spokam virtual we have a higher level of responsibility and accountability and support especially at the middle school um for our students. Um, again, it provides alter pathways for students who might not thrive in a traditional setting, who have health issues, um, have other needs, they need to be in a a non-traditional setting. Um,

098it's can serve our diverse student populations such as students with IEPs. Um, it supports credit recovery and academic enrichment and also accommodates our homeschooled, some homeschooled students at our school level. So, uh, what action am I requesting of the school board today? I'm proposing that the board approves, uh, continued work for alternative learning experience programs at Newville Middle and Newville High School with uh, partnerships with Spokane Virtual and Grad Alliance New Beginnings as noted the policy 2255. Right. Thank you. So with that, I would um consider a motion to approve the AL plan as put forward by ski. >> A motion question first. >> Yeah. And then down discussion. >> Do you know how long our contract is with Spokane virtual? >> I believe we're doing that yearly. >> Yearly. And you know when it's

099up and starts and ends. >> I get that. >> I think I signed a I think I signed a contract for that usually at the beginning of every year. So fiscal year like Janu like >> school >> it would have been like August September. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. >> So then us approving it now is approving it >> next year. >> Next school year. >> Well [laughter] >> we did it last year. I guess it depends on what we're looking at in that cycle, right? So we did a report last year about this >> and then when the can when the contract comes up the contract will come before us but we're approving the plan which includes right at this point academy >> no we're approving the plan that would allow us

100to engage in a contract when the contract actually happens then we'll approve the contract at a board meeting. >> Is that was that your question? Yeah, just just with Travis off of that that >> we're not reviewing. We're not signing a new contract at this moment, but we're approving the plan >> potentially to potentially use. >> Yeah. So, we can change September. >> Okay. Any other questions? Good. Good. Just good question. >> Um, hearing none. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Okay. I forgot to make you make a motion. >> I apologize. You blocked out because there's no more. I was going to do it the next item. >> Oh, we have >> Oh, >> there's more. >> Construction update. [laughter] >> Yes. A lot has happened since we last met. It it

101feels like uh of all the projects so far, these last two weeks have probably been probably the most even though that may not be the case. So, it starts out with the fact as we know we've had an awful lot of rain and we were watching to see what would happen with our drainage system. What would it look like if we had this sort of weather while we were getting ready to play soccer or football game or whatever it is? I'm happy to report that um we had no pooling and uh when they put the when they dug the foundation for the light poles, they went down 18 ft and found no water. So that means we've got just a great drainage system. We should never ever have problems with with uh cancellation. So when

102it comes to um the condition of the field, which is so unlike anything we've done. So, as as you can see, probably the most visible thing is the fact that there is no turf and it's all the way till the end zone. Um uh once we roll out the end zone, that's even to be prettier as we get on into our blue and white uh colors and our eaten bill cruisers. Uh when it comes to the uh middle of the field now, we're going to be inlaying the EC for eaten bill cruisers. Um right now, they're doing a lot of stitching, a lot of lot of um now kind of um now they've got everything rolled out now they have to make sure everything is secured and kind of buttoned down and so that's what

103you're going to see that's going to take some time uh to do that. So what we saw was really fast but now it's going to take some time to actually finish that up. If you look those white big white bags that are coming in on the semi tractor trailers, that is the sand. That's the first portion now that we're going to inlay the turf that's down. And then after that, then you'll see the crumb that goes into the fees that up. And so, um, yeah, we're getting close. I'm going back to the lights. Yes, we now have the foundation in for the LED lights. Uh, and you'll you'll see continued work on that. Um, they're putting boards columns up and and then they'll bring the the poles and then the lights will go on last.

104Um, again, a reminder that we're going to have some lights that are going to shine back in the tennis courts. So, the tennis courts are more usable for our student athletes as well as our community after hours. So, that's a great thing. You may have also seen 4,000 lb blocks out there. Um, that is because when we were ready to make sure that our stadium had the foundation needed and as we tried to move a rock at a time, the other blocks were crumbling down. And so that made us think, yeah, that's not something we want for the next hundred years. And so that's why you see 4,000 pound ecology blocks with about another 2,000 pound cap on top of that. And uh so you'll you'll see those still come rolling in. That's going all

105the way down toward the fast pitch down to where those steps are. So that's going to look beautiful, but more importantly, it's going to be extremely safe. That's going to be pretty much going to be well behind the the the stadium. Um >> I think the staff is going to love it too for football night. [laughter] The kids playing on the rocks. >> Yeah, it's gonna be nice for superision. It's gonna be nice. >> Yeah. the um the conduits are in. And you'll you'll again notice that when you go down on the west side of the field where the stage's going in, you'll see the gray uh conduits are coming up and those are those are uh it's going to be mentioned up to the press box and kind of supply the electricity for the

106lighting inside the stadium. We've been meeting [clears throat] um with our sponsor, if you will, uh the naming rights for the stadium itself, uh which is Carol Lover Stadium. And uh so we're just working on the last of the lighting and how that's going to look. So they're all excited about that. So are we. The Let's see. So this is kind of interesting. So the stadium right now is all done and ready to go. It's down in Texas and so it'll be rolling out in the next couple of days. It's going to it's slated to arrive here uh Monday. Um so we are just happy to make sure that the the foundation and the the ecology blocks are placed. They will actually place many many blocks in a day. So that's quite a day to

107watch how many they allow in a day. But that'll but the the crew itself will not most likely start to build the foundation with all stating parts until after the new year. Most I'm guessing it could be that in between Christmas and New Year's, but that's that's not I'm not sure that'll happen. If that all happens like we think it will by the end of February, we should have a stadium. the press box itself comes in a little bit different and so um that will be that's that's a different set of of of materials but that's that's pretty close. So, if if we already we also have the movement down for the the restrooms, and so that's that's going to be nice to finally um have restrooms that are usable. And so, um the scoreboard,

108the flag pole, um all of these are you're just going to see those go up in this next few weeks um to next few months. Our hope is that by March we'll be able be on the field, be in the stands, not be able to be using the track for competition yet because the last part of the railroading will be weather dependent. If we get some incredible weather in March, we might be able to be in there in March, but my guess is probably April. The thought is that uh one year after we broke ground, which was May 2nd on community day, that on May 1st, community day, that we will now have a ruin cutting and uh we'll be able to utilize that. So, May 1st, >> May, I'm Mayday. >> Invite everybody and

109and uh that should be a a beautiful day for our community. Uh, unless there are questions, that's what I have to report. >> Awesome. That's fantastic. Thank you, Jay. Thank you to Brandon and his team who's doing a lot of work. And we're just going to keep thanking Christa for all the grains that have made this possible. >> All right. Get ready, Katie. >> We We'll give you a So, I guess that it would be nice if we told you how this works. So, in Robert's rules quarter, >> um >> I would call for a motion >> and then um I would say I would consider a motion for um and you can read right off of this agenda. Item A is where we're going to be next or you can just say so moved.

110Um and then [clears throat] did you know this? Probably didn't. I took a class on uh parliamentary procedure, but in a board under 12, we don't have to have a second. We do as a common practice. Um but it's not mandatory. So um that keeps things moving forward. >> I did it was really >> boring. So instructional sounds. >> So sometimes what we do as a color practice isn't necessarily what we have to do, but it's always nice to show that we have other people that are paying attention so that we don't catch people, you know, like sometimes this just wakes us up when we have to say a second. So unless somebody wants to change our common practice, we will continue to do this. All right. You ready? >> I [laughter] think so. >>

111Okay. So I say I say entering a motion. >> No. When I call for a motion. Um Pette reminded me that I haven't done a legislative update in this. I will I've done lots of that throughout this whole thing. Um just know that pre-filed bills have gone forward. We have two that are really looking great for education. I'm asking for two more to move forward. if they get pre-filed, I'll let you know. Um, all has to do with trying to help us save. We're not going to be given any more money, but we're trying to find ways to save money. >> So, the gas tax [laughter] >> Yeah. Yep. There's Yeah, there's there are some things that we're really working hard to on. So, we'll see. And we'll just keep partnering. And, um, thank you

112to Christa and to Jay for constantly sharing our story and getting it out there. It's really Okay, I'll turn over the agenda. >> [clears throat] >> Uh, next item on our agenda is the PSESD MASH agreement. Um, and Tracy I asked Tracy to please go home. She has a very long drive and the roads are treacherous tonight and so um I can't remember are you are you >> I'm going to read a script to give you something. Okay. >> All right. So, I have a script and will tell us a little bit about um PSD, the MASH agreement, which is a whole lot of acronyms. >> It is a whole lot. And I I'm really going to try and do my best here. She sent me a book. So, I'm going to start with BCBA

113stands for board certified behavior analysts. Uh BCBAS are certified professionals trained to apply behavior analysts. The agreement allows a district to access BCBA services and when needed supervision for district employed staff seeking or maintaining RBT credentials. Now, she didn't give me the RBT stamp. What that stands for? Oh, I'm sorry. Registered behavior technician. I said it out loud. Uh, this is a flexible support model used by many districts that do not employ the full-time BPBA. Um, this agreement does not license a social worker. Rather, it gives the district access to specialized behavioral expertise on an as needed basis. Why these services are needed? School districts are required to support students who have significant behavioral needs, including conducting functional behavior assessments, developing and updating behavior intervention plans, and training school staff having access to BCBA's legally

114compliant assessments and documentation. evidence-based behavior support strategies, improved safety and consistency for students and staff, and targeted consultation with the cost of hiring full-time specialized staff. This fee for service model remains cost effective while allowing the district to meet student needs and state federal requirements. >> Awesome. I hope that answers any questions. >> [laughter] >> My my understanding of this in the short version was [laughter] that um we have a student who has um written into their IEP or the requirement to have a registered behavior tech. Um we don't have anybody on staff that is a registered behavior tech. So we have a par who's getting that certification but somebody has to supervise them. So this service, these mass services will provide that supervision until that parrot can get um their um behavior tech certification.

115So >> thank you. Any other questions that probably Cassie couldn't answer, but Chris maybe. All right, with that I will consider a motion for approval of the PSD mash agreement. >> You say so moved. >> Okay. So moved. We have Is there I'll get there. That was really good. I second. All right. Um it has been moved and seconded. [laughter] Any further discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nicely done. Very [laughter] good. >> Congratulations on your first visit. All right. Consider renewal of the DCF regional education agreement. Are you also very >> I also have a paragraph of them and not a book. Great. So DCYF stands for Department of Children, Youth and Families and the explanation is the regional educational agreement with DCYF is a standard partnership used across Washington state

116to ensure that students in foster care or juvenile rehabil rehabilitation service um receive stable and uninterrupted [clears throat] uninterrupted educational services. The agreement clarifies each agency's roles, supports legal requirements for immediate enrollment, records transfer, and educational stability under ESSA and IDA, and ensures coordinating communication with students experience changes in place. In short, which is what I should have started with, this agreement allows us to meet our legal obligations and better support a highly mobile, high need population. >> Awesome. Um any anybody else want to add anything to that? >> My version I'm pretty much the same thing. Um it just sets the framework for um how we're helping fosters students between our agency and DCIF. um says that framework >> and I was just telling Katie too that one of the things is so the

117public knows is most these things if not all are required and based on students IEPs and for most vulnerable population and we're not large enough to have >> department or people on staff. So it's cheaper or quote cheaper less expensive to contract out to their essential services. So >> right thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. All right. Um, so I would consider a motion to approve the renewal of the ECF regional education agreement. >> So move. You can second it. I [clears throat] second. >> Excellent. Good job. You got on both sides of the action there. Um, we have a it has been moved and seconded. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> All right. Consider approval of updated interd district cooperative agreement with Pierce County Skill Center. >>

118Yes. So we have 10 current districts who are uh a part of the financing and operating of the PK skill center and we have an 11th school district in K County which would be peninsula who has some interest as far as how many students they serve given that they're across the pond. So, we think uh that would probably fit the campus, but it sounds like they'd be they would want to at least be a part of that. Um I'm not sure that that would uh necessarily really change a lot for our school district because again they're not that how much they're going to actually utilize that they should. But I think it shows some cooperation on their part uh where we've not had that before. So what they so there's a governing board for the

119P County skill center. Those are superintendents for each 10 school districts. And so they have put forth uh the proposal that they join the cooperative if you will. And so I'm bringing that forward to you. The verbies would say uh we have resolved that the following school districts hereby approved the interd district cooperative agreement for the financing and operational studies skill center which in this case now would be to the preexisting uh I believe those want to open up to and then sort of add >> and just for your understanding it will not increase our student. >> I'm not seeing that as being right now the way it is right now. >> I know we already get more than what our lot, >> right? So, you'll have some school districts, let's say Tacoma, for instance,

120that they're the largest school district in this county and that they may not utilize all their slots. So, sometimes it will be we have to wait a little bit to see and make sure that those slots are available. But at this point, we're working really closely with the director, Scott Martin, and uh we've we've really got the lion share for those students who choose to go there. >> A good partner. Okay. Um I would consider a motion to to approve the updated interd district cooperative agreement with Christa. >> All in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. >> Okay, I'll take that vote forward. >> Thank you. Um, >> I just have an update for you on this book on virtual contracts. So, I looked it up and it's um a one-year contract that autorenews. Um, so

121it would autorenew for 2627, but we can um provide a 30-day um written notice via certified mail to um to back out of that >> at the one year mark. Not anytime. Just at one year. >> It looks like anytime. Obviously, you wouldn't want to do that during a school year. Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. This is exciting. Consider approval of a donation from Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church in the amount of $1,872.50 for school lunch debt. >> So, I just saw a card that came in the mail with that and I don't know a lot about that. Um, did you hear anything? She didn't ever say anything new about it. Did she? >> I just heard about it. Um we're just grateful we have uh for the eyes and ears of

122the public uh and I know the board already knows this. We have um an we have a faith leaders group that we meet with regularly adding you know more to that. Uh so we meet on a quarterly basis and uh sometimes the things that we talk about are what are the needs of the community? How can how can we um make sure that we support youth and children and families in our community? This is obviously just a nice gesture coming forward uh from the from saying this uh alternative society, our lady uh of good council Catholic Church and so we're very grateful for that. >> Yes. And Rosemary Nordstrom is the representative that comes our faith leaders and she's also the one that facilitated this donation. So that's very good and um our service organizations

123and faith leaders are very generous to our students. So um I would consider a motion to approve that donation >> to approve donations. >> Okay. >> Thank you. [laughter] All in favor? >> Any opposed? I >> um I don't think this has to be >> it doesn't have to be approved. >> So we just want to give a public acknowledgement to um of appreciation to union ILU um 23. It's a union and every year they do this. This is a long German and they um work with the schools. they find families that are in need and they give gift cards to those families which I think is really wonderful and um how we how our community has become um the beneficiaries of such a wonderful donation. I don't know how it originated but it's been

124going on for many years and I'm just really grateful for for all that they do for our kids. All right on the home stretch it's time for >> Yes. I'll make it real quick as best I can. I want to first commend our team for helping us through these uh days of turbulent weather to say the least and the wind and snow up toward the mountain and and flooding and such. Um our team was out started at 2:30 this morning to check the roads and to recheck the roads and to make sure that we had power at our different uh school sites and to get the communication out. Um, my voice might be a little horseless even because it was a long night, but uh, we always try to make sure we get our kids

125safely to school and continue to give them the education they deserve. Um, and so I just want to commend our team for their hard work. I've been part of the math curriculum that Sally is leading that um not only is looking at u also adoption for our K8 but also just math instruction and how we might how we might whatever we utilize might be best practices for making sure that our staff are prepared that they deliver the instruction to the students and that learning needs are met. and I've been very very pleased with their work and their instruction. Um Shay Painter recently did a presentation to the rest of that committee uh just on practices and and uh just we have really great teachers in our school district. We have very dedicated teachers and I'm

126very grateful to Sally for bringing that out but for the team who's putting who are putting in hours we math frankly is an area that most districts are really have struggled with particularly since or even before co but particularly since co and so as part of our strategic plan we're looking really hard to address that and I don't mind saying that that's a vulnerability we have we like those districts but that what I'm saying is we're tackling it head on we're going We're going to move that forward just as we have um English language arts and science and and the other areas. We're not going to stop. We're just going to keep working really hard on them. So that's um as mentioned earlier as far as our transportation yes it's more than 20 route more

127than 20 months without a route canled but also uh we're getting most of our sports trips in which again now it's not happening uh because sometimes we need to have people on the road at the same time that they're taking kids to different sports events sporting events. Um, so I'm happy to announce that we now have two new um, OSBI authorized drivers uh, for a middle school district. They both passed uh, incredibly difficult course. Um, one passed according to the CDL tester perhaps the one of the perhaps the either the highest or one of the highest scores I've ever seen. >> Wow. So, it just kind of shows you again the quality of drivers we have to be out there on those roads. They're very, very safe and and they're well prepared. They I rode

128I went on a ride with them as they were getting ready to test. I wanted I was invited. I wanted to go see like what is it what do they do before they start the route while they're still in the yard and what do they do thereafter? You know, how do they do things like roller crosses? how they do, you know, like unexpected things like they come around a corner in a big log or a big tree has fallen over, they can't get past that. How do they negotiate that and things? And so I went on a ride with them. I felt very safe the whole time. I I I think if probably every driver were trained as well as they, I think we'd probably have a much much safer society to be. >> Yeah.

129So anyway, so we'll be uh so that's going to further help us to make sure that we get more and more students uh where they are hoping to be. Um and it just just continues to be a model for this area and for actually the state. I would I would pin us against staying one with our transportation department. So grateful for them. the uh probably that let's see that I think let me see no I think that was it I think I just wanted again uh commend you and thank you for the dedication that you have to this community to the school district to students to staff and uh a supportive distinction that's really something that's that we can be very very proud of and and um it's an honor to to work with you.

130>> Thank you. >> Okay. So, another thing is we usually start with our most junior board member. It starts with comments. That way somebody doesn't steal all your thunder. So, you're on share any thoughts um or anything you want to bring forward? >> Not yet. Good. Thank you Neil and Susan for coming tonight and supporting us and um appreciate seeing your faces here. Uh thank you to everybody. Thank you for the wonderful gifts and what an exciting night. Um glad to see Ashley go. Excited to see Katie join us. So Katie, thank you for running and putting the efforts in and joining us. So >> thanks for the warm welcome. >> You're welcome. And um Kristen, thank you so much. and Sally and Tracy that's not here and Cassie for being Tracy's voice. So, [laughter]

131I appreciate the hard work that everybody puts into it so we have the knowledge and um Rhonda, thank you for all you do that we're able to >> I know your list that you're making, you're going to do a ton of homework for us [laughter] go unnoticed. So, I appreciate it and that's you know why we're so confident for you being in the position area. Thank you. I mean a lot. I appreciate that. >> Just want to say welcome. >> Thank you for running and being part of this. And uh happy holidays. And everybody at home, make sure your neighbors are safe. Go fill some sandbags. Help some horses out. Something that's pretty nasty out there. So that's it right now. >> Thank you. >> All right. I um welcome you, Katie. >> Thank you.

132Um, [clears throat] it was fun at the conference to spend some time with you, get to know you a little bit before you step into this chair or miss chair. But, uh, I know it's going to be great have you and thankful for that. I'm thankful for each one of the board members I serve with, you know, Travis, Rhonda, Karen. Um, I've served with a lot of board members in my time. I was trying to think. I have to look back at the shoot and see what movie, but it's in the 30s. [laughter] >> She's got to be pushing 40 here. >> I know. I think so. But anyway, and each one of them has been a pleasure. A few have been challenges, [laughter] but I' I've loved every minute of it. And uh I

133want to thank um Sally and and Cassie for all the extra work that I know you do. I know that there are times when I drive through town in the evening and I see lights on that probably shouldn't be. And um I'm just grateful that we have people who care as much as you do for our students in our district. It's really your moment to do that. And so I just hope that we're all going to have some time off during the holidays trying to just relax a little bit and and enjoy family. stay safe. >> And I will just um close with saying >> I think you get Karen. >> Of course, I want to welcome you. Thank you for being part of our team. I've not sat on this board without someone every

134single person, that's what I'm trying to say, that has sat in one of these chairs has been a great team member. And I know because you care about kids, that's why you're here. So, thank you for that. Um, with this board of distinction, I am just cannot believe how excited and happy I am. >> Oh, >> because uh, one thing Ashley would tell you is we were at a conference and I said, "We are going to get that next year." And she's like, >> "We'll see." I'm like, "You're going to get it." And we did. Thank you. You are each such an important part of making that happen. And I'm grateful to be able to serve with you. So, um, with that, all your hard work is appreciated. Please know it. Drive safe. Keep our

135kids safe. Thank you for getting up to the crack of dawn. And thank you to Bonnie. Um, get some sleep tonight. Hopefully, healthy storm. Since you guys need to say