001Good evening. Time is 5:31. Welcome to the regular Board of Directors meeting for May 26th, 2026. Please rise with me for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. S- Student Rep Daisy Conway has our land acknowledgement, I think. She's working on the sound. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. Sorry about that. Um Aberdeen Public Schools resides on the traditional lands of the Chinookan peoples and the Cowlitz tribe. They have lived on and cared for this land and its waterways since time immemorial. We thank them for their stewardship and make this acknowledgement to open a space of recognition, inclusion, and respect for all indigenous
002students, families, and staff in our community. >> Thank you. Okay, the next item here is to adopt tonight's agenda. Is there a motion? >> I move to adopt tonight's agenda as presented. >> I'll second. >> [clears throat] >> Director Gronwall has moved and Director Bolkan agrees second and to approve tonight's agenda as presented. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. That's our agenda. The next item on the agenda is a special recognition uh retirement recognition. Uh Dr. Fox. >> We would like to honor staff who are retiring at the end of the school year and thank them for their service to Evergreen Public Schools. And so, if you are here this evening for this recognition, would you please stand and make your way to the lobby. Karina will help you line up
003according to your years of service while I say some nice things about you. Public education is ultimately about people. The adults who show up every day for students are some of those very special people. Tonight, we recognize educators, support staff, and leaders whose careers have helped shape countless lives and strengthen our schools and community in ways that often cannot be fully measured. Across classrooms, cafeterias, buses, offices, playgrounds, and programs throughout Evergreen, these individuals have cared for students, solved problems, built relationships, and created opportunities for young people year after year. Retirement marks the close of one chapter, but the impact of their service will continue for generations through the students and colleagues they influenced along the way. And I'm going to emphasize in that sentence again that it's the students and the colleagues that they influence.
004This is a celebration and a sad time for us as we see our colleagues move on. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and honored to celebrate them this evening. So, I have several slides that have been prepared by HR department and they show the years of service for groupings of people more than 80 that are retiring and several of them are joining us this evening. It quieted down so that Does that mean I can start? With 4 to 10 years of service, I'm going to let you look at this slide of nine soon-to-be retirees. >> [clears throat] >> At this time, I'm going to ask Superintendent Maloney to come join me or actually go over to a bucket of flowers. [snorts] I have no one to introduce from this slide, but on the next
005slide I have several names that I'm going to introduce. Soon-to-be retirees, when you hear your name, come on in and go straight to the superintendent. She'll give you a flower and then we'll line you all up along the windows and ask the directors to congratulate you once everyone is in here. There'll be a wild round of applause at that point, you'll know. With 11 to 15 years of service, we have 12 soon-to-be retirees and I would like to invite Richard Samuels, April Hamelink, and Lynn Prior Samuels to join us. Let's give them a round of applause, all three OF THEM. >> [applause] >> YEAH, JUST START A LINE ALONG JUST ONE THIS EVENING, CORINA? OKAY. This slide shows 16 to 20 years of service with 12 soon-to-be retirees. And this evening, we'd like to recognize
006Michelle Albright. Michelle, come on up to a round of applause. >> [applause] >> With 21 to 25 years of service, we have 15 soon-to-be retirees. Come on in, Shawn Perez. Charles Jenkins the III. Kathleen Keller. And Trina Stull. BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE. >> [applause] >> WITH 26 to 30 years of service, we have 19 soon-to-be retirees. I'd like to recognize Rebecca Shelton. Gail Westbrook. >> [applause] >> Rebecca Olson. And Lois Strow. >> [applause] [applause] >> With 31 to 35 years of service, 12 soon-to-be retirees, and we are this evening recognizing Douglas Prevey, >> [applause] >> Dave Schalk, and Janet LaCasha. >> [applause] [applause] >> And while there's no one left for me to introduce, I would like to show one more slide because this is 35-plus years of service. And with all 80-plus retirees, can
007we give them a round of applause? >> [applause] >> And directors, would you come through and shake hands with all of our soon-to-be retirees? >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. You may be seated, and retirees, thank you. You are free to leave. Thank you for being here this evening. >> Thank you, Dr. Fox, and thank you to all those who have given so many years of service to the kids. Um The next item on the agenda, if we're ready, is a superintendent report. Dr. Maloney. >> Thank you. Um as usual, the operational expectation policies I will list first before diving into my superintendent report tonight. So, um and operational expectation policy zero for equity, OE 10 for safe supportive learning environment, and OE 11 for instructional program. So, tonight I'm going to be sharing the
008presentation I actually made this morning to the elementary building leadership teams and district staff and administrators during our leadership gathering. I will be sharing the same presentation this Thursday with the secondary building leadership teams and administrators and district staff and administrators as well. My presentation this morning was followed by professional development and work time preparation for this upcoming school year. I was setting the stage for our upcoming work in the 2026-2027 year. Later in the morning, um some high-level belonging data was shared that reinforced the great work that has been occurring around equity this current school year. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Brian Fox will be providing more details around the significantly positive data at one of your June board meetings. So, here is my presentation. I stopped. Okay. And remember I am speaking to building
009leadership um in this presentation. So. I want to speak to you today about something that is central to who we are as a district. And central to my leadership, equity. In Evergreen Public Schools, equity means ensuring every student has access to rigorous grade-level instruction, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, and the support needed to belong, grow, and succeed, while intentionally addressing the needs of students who have been historically underserved and excluded. This is our vision. Equity is not a program. It's not a position. It's not a single initiative. Equity is how we operate. It is found in the daily interactions we take in the classrooms, the daily actions we take in our classrooms, in schools, and across every department in this system. Next. As your superintendent, my work is grounded in what I call the three
010Rs. Those are relationships, rigor, and relevance. Relationships are the foundation. When students feel known, valued, and connected, they're more likely to engage and succeed. They don't care what you know until they know that you actually care. Rigor means we hold high expectations for every student without exception, while ensuring they have the support necessary to meet those expectations. Equity does not mean lowering the bar, it means removing the barriers. Relevance ensures that learning connects to our students' lives, their cultures, languages, and their futures. This is how we create belonging for each and success for all. Now, I want to be clear about the direction we are taking as a district. Over the past year, we've reflected deeply on our systems, including an external review of our teaching, learning, and equity work. The review affirmed our commitment,
011but also challenged us to strengthen coherence. So, I made a deliberate shift. I am not centering equity in a single role. I am not embedding I am embedding equity across the entire system. And that shift is visible in how we are investing our people and our resources. This coming school year, equity in Evergreen will be supported by a coordinated network of professionals working directly with students, staff, and schools. Equity specialists embedded in schools, we have two, partnering with principals and teachers to strengthen inclusive practices. A discipline equity coordinator advancing restorative student-centered systems. This was a repurposed position that it was vacated. Language and instructional coaches in every elementary school supporting culturally and linguistically responsive instruction. We'll continue our leadership through our executive director of programs and school performance ensuring system-wide alignment. And we've expanded dean
012of student roles strengthening school climate and student support. This is how equity becomes action through the people closest to the students every day. Next. We're also making intentional program decisions. Maintaining a transition kindergarten classroom to serve our most vulnerable early learners. I shifted funds from the assistant director open position for the student equity and family engagement to keep one more classroom a transition kindergarten open for another year affecting 18 students' lives and their futures. We're expanding access to language specialists across all 22 elementary schools. Strengthening instructional coaching at the elementary level and departmental alignment at the secondary level and at all levels professional learning grounded in equity and culturally responsive practices. You will see equity called out in our ongoing professional development across our system. These are not abstract commitments. These are real investments in
013people and systems that directly impact students every day. These decisions have not always been easy especially in a time of significant budget reductions, but they have been intentional. We're choosing coherence over compliance. We're choosing impact over structure and we're choosing students over system. I want to highlight one critical area where this work comes to life in powerful ways, mathematics. If we are serious about equity, we must be serious about math. Math is a gateway. It opens doors to colleges, careers, and opportunities. Yet, historically, access to high-quality math instruction has not been equitable. That changes now. Our focus on math is a focus on equity. In Evergreen, we are strengthening instruction so every student engages in meaningful grade-level work. We have new priority standards that have come out that we need to unpack and to implement.
014We have a math mindset to implement across school staff, students, our parents. We have repurposed district positions to provide direct support for math across K-12. We are supporting teachers to deliver high-quality culturally responsive math instruction. We are using data more effectively to identify gaps and respond quickly, particularly through our professional learning communities. And we are ensuring students receive the support they need without being tracked away from opportunity. We are looking at our master schedules, our curriculum scope and sequence, and building multi-tiered systems of support. This is about access. This is about expectations. This is about outcomes. We're raising expectations, removing barriers, closing gaps together. As we move forward, our commitments are clear. We'll keep equity embedded in teaching and learning. We will invest in the people closest to the students. We will strengthen partnerships with
015families and community, and we will continuously monitor and adjust based on student need. And we will measure our progress in meaningful ways. Student access to grade-level instruction in every classroom, growth in proficiency in literacy and mathematics, reductions in opportunity and discipline gaps, student sense of belonging and engagement, family partnership and participation. And when the data tells us something isn't working, we're going to adjust. That is our responsibility. Equity is not a statement we make. It is a promise we keep. A promise that every student gets what they need to succeed. A promise that we confront barriers, not ignore them. A promise that our system works for every child. But how do these promises get put into action? Today, you will have the opportunity to embed these commitments into your school improvement plans, your professional development
016plans, and your work within professional learning communities. So I ask you, how do we guarantee these promises for our students? In your schools, how will you move forward with these commitments? What actions will you take? Because ultimately, equity lives or fails in what we do next. In Evergreen Public Schools, excellence and equity are not separate goals. They are the standard we deliver for every student, every day. And I believe that each of you has the passion for education and the heart for students that is desperately needed in this work. Together, we will create belonging for each and success for all. Thank you. And that concludes my superintendent's report for this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Maloney. Any questions for Dr. Maloney? Hearing none, the next item on our agenda is Dr. Fox's presentation,
017teaching, and learning and equity update. Welcome back. >> Members of the board, for this evening's teaching, learning, and equity update, I would like to begin with a new academic spotlight, which I hope I don't have to explain you now because you've seen a couple of them. But, I will remind you that these spotlights highlight what's happening every day in our classrooms through the experiences of students and the expertise of Evergreen educators. This evening, I'd like to share a story about belonging, restoration, and the long-term impact of patient, skilled support for students with significant behavioral and emotional needs. The spotlight follows the journey of an 8-year-old student named Deonte, who transitioned from Hollingsworth Academy, Evergreen's specialized day treatment program, back to a general education classroom at Hearthwood Elementary. Isn't that an awesome picture? Aaron Wintersong came
018out and took photos of that day, and he captured some great smiles. For the educators who supported uh Deonte, this was more than a successful school transition. It was the result of years of intentional work helping a student build emotional regulation, communication skills, confidence, and ultimately a sense that he belongs in school and in community. What makes this story especially powerful is that the success did not happen because of one program or one moment. It happened because teams of educators, teachers, counselors, specialists, administrators, and transition staff all worked to get together consistently over time, believing in a student even during the difficult moments. And today the student is thriving in a general education classroom at Hearthwood Elementary. I encourage you to take time to read about Deante and his reunion with staff from Hollingsworth. This
019story will be posted on the district website under academic spotlight and it will also be featured in the TLE newsletter for May, which will go out later this week, so you can read this story in its full. Next, I'd like to turn your attention to a couple of Evergreen staff members recently honored as our 2026 Learn Here Heroes. Trisha and Jamie, will you come join me at the podium? Please. On May 19th, the business leaders group called Identity Clark County, along with family members, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Vancouver Innovation Center to celebrate individuals whose contributions inspire excellence, foster community, and enhance the appeal of Southwest Washington for prospective families and businesses. And I would like to introduce you to the EPS honorees. Trisha Harding is a dedicated leader advancing equitable access for multilingual
020families through her role as language access coordinator. She brings strategic vision and deep care to her work, ensuring students and families feel seen, supported, and able to fully engage in critical educational experiences. Trisha has led comprehensive efforts to improve communication across key milestones, including forecasting, high school and beyond planning, and family engagement events, while partnering across departments to close access gaps. She also guides implementation of the district's language access plan, developing practical tools, and strengthening school-based practices. Through her leadership, including the creation of an in-house linguist training program, Trisha is building sustainable systems that expand access, strengthen relationships, and foster a more inclusive, connected school community. This is the opportunity for audience participation. Please help me thank and congratulate Trisha. >> [applause] >> And this is Jamie. Jamie Helm is a dedicated volunteer and middle
021school teacher who supports the district's attendance efforts by participating twice monthly in community engagement boards, where she works with students and families facing attendance challenges. In these sessions, she helps navigate complex situations, identify barriers, and recommend meaningful interventions to improve student engagement. Many of the students served are in need of additional support. Jamie's calm, compassionate approach helps foster trust and productive conversations. She has also brought this model back to Shahala Middle School, expanding its impact within her school community. Through entirely Though entirely voluntary, Jamie's contributions have made a significant difference in strengthening connections and improving outcomes for students and families. Please give it up for Jamie Helm. >> [applause] >> You know, you didn't get a chance to shake their hands like you did the others. I'm going to ask them to stand right where
022they are and I'm going to ask you to stand and go and shake their hands to congratulate them. >> [laughter] [clears throat] >> They've had two Tuesdays in a row of going to these kinds of events and being recognized. I I told them each that next Tuesday they have off. They can go home after work. They'll probably volunteer somewhere. >> [laughter] >> At your next business meeting on June 9th, the TLI update will include a spring sports update and I will bring you an end-of-the-year report on school improvement plans. This concludes this evening's TLI update. >> Thank you, Dr. Fox. The next item on our agenda is the student board representative report. Lorelli, Daisy, are you ready? >> Yes. Um I have a relatively short report. It's just that the year is like wrapping up
023and as it's doing so, I feel like the um a lot of the students are coming back together again, especially since the stress of finals and APs has decreased a lot since they're now over. Um and it's just nice to see it. Um a lot of band and like orchestra and like theater performances are happening right now as well. Um and then also I just wanted to say that I'll be coming back next year as the senior board rep student board representative. And um Lorelli will be leaving. >> All right, good afternoon. I would like to start off by saying how happy I am to see that a lot of our high schools have adopted this tradition of having annual multicultural assembly and just sending the message that students at belong at school. At Heritage's
024multicultural assembly, we had a student from a different school district actually come up to us and tell us that they skipped school to watch our assembly and hopefully bring some ideas back to their school and hopefully have an assembly at their school. Funny enough, uh the student knew about our assembly from a flyer that they saw at our Not a the C N C S. Um these past few months a lot of the seniors have come out to me expressing their worries about what their future may look like regarding college, which got college are going to, completing FAFSA, and I'll just say that our career center at Heritage has done an amazing job with providing aid to these students. Our career center did this thing where if you sent two students to the career center
025to complete their FAFSA, you got a gift card from an ice cream shop. And then and I know a lot of students that have also come up came up to me thought it was way too late to enroll to a college and now they got all the help they needed and are enrolled to these great state schools. Um another thing that has been expressed to me is that a lot of people have a lot of families have come up to me saying that wondering if we had a translation earpiece where these families could essentially speak in their native tongue and then have it translated to the board. And I told them, yes, we actually do have those. So, this made me realize that we may have to promote this more, and maybe add it to
026our website if it's not already there, or have it be an option when you're signing up for public commentary, and just showing that we support accessibility for families. And then again, I'd like to express my gratitude to the board for always being so supportive of the performing arts um and these educational trips. These past few years I've gotten the opportunity to go to California, Nevada, or Seattle, and I've seen first-hand the exposure that students have gained from those trips. Whether it be going to a Broadway show for the first time, or flying for the first time, or even filming at the Disney Imagination Campus studio, a lot of students have gotten exposure that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I simply can't stress enough how valuable these trips are, and how grateful I am for having
027a board that backs up the performing arts. And that is it for our board report. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Daisy Lorelli, and uh thank you both for a year of really good work. >> Thank you both, and Lorelli, we'll see you at graduation. Yes, thank you both for your service. We appreciate you. We'll see you next year, Daisy. >> Good job. >> Okay. [sighs] Next item on the agenda is public comments. Community members who wish to speak to the board may do so during the designated time in the agenda for public comments. Comments are to be directed to the Board of Directors as a whole, and may not be addressed to any any individual member of the board, the administrative staff, or the audience. The board will not engage in dialogue. Um and the
028board chair may ask a speak although the board chair may ask a speaker a clarifying question or follow up at a later time on an issue raised during public comment. General reminders. Each speaker has a maximum of 3 minutes this evening to ensure we hear from as many voices as possible. If we go for an hour, we'll take a 10-minute break and following the break we'll resume public comments for an additional hour then close comments for the evening and move forward with the agenda. Uh there is no mechanism whereby a speaker can donate some or all of their time to another speaker. No individual may speak once more than once per regular meeting, even if there's time remaining. And please state your name and district affiliation, if any. Need to do a housekeeping thing here.
029Is uh Mr. Teeman online? Okay. Then our first speaker this evening will be Kendall Teeman uh coming in over Zoom. >> [music] >> Okay. >> I wasn't ready for that. >> [laughter] >> Can you hear me now? >> Okay, we just need to adjust the volume a little. >> How about now? >> Uh on on our end. We can hear you now, but it's coming very loudly through the speakers. >> Oh. >> Yeah. It sounds better. So, can you hear us? >> Yes, I can. You got me? >> We can hear you. Please go ahead. >> Okay. My name is Kendall Tieman. I'm a proud EA union member. I've had access to emails and letters going back to January of 2025 related to what the process was during the accountability audit of 2023-2024. The state
030auditor's office sends a letter of engagement to the superintendent, which they did on January 22nd, 2025. The letter informs the superintendent that she has an obligation to >> Stand by. >> 11 days after a parent Pardon? Hear me? >> I got it. I think so. Uh maybe go back a sentence and start from there. >> Okay. You got Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> The state auditor's office sends a letter of engagement to the superintendent, which they did on January 22nd, 2025. The letter informs the superintendent that she has an obligation to report incidents of allegations of fraud. Incidentally, this is 11 days after a parent, Angie Bondus, sent a written complaint to the superintendent on September about the September 2023 contract contracts making claims concerns of allegations of
031fraud. On January 24th, 2025, Superintendent Maloney and others had an entrance meeting with SAO regarding fiscal year 23-24. At these meetings, the engagement letter was and the process explained regarding how supplemental contracts are examined are examined at random. And with 2,500 employees in the district, less than a half a dozen supplemental contracts examined basically translates to about a 1 in 400 chance of the CEO's contract being examined. The only way one could reasonably believe the SAO would have been provided the CEO's contract would be if the district provided it to them for review, and this did not happen. On May 12th, 2026, the superintendent stated something relative to put many of us have called out for the last 3 months for providing false information about the 23-24 audit. On May 12th, 2026, Superintendent Milani stated
032the following about her February 10th, 2026 false representations, and I quote, "During prior discussions earlier in the year, I stated the understanding that these contracts had been already reviewed as a part of the previous state auditor accountability audit. That understanding was based on language contained in the auditor's public published report indicating supplemental contracts for enrichment activities examined during that audit process. What we heard was a ridiculous and false statement based upon many factors." The superintendent was reading sections of a police report. She was not referencing the audit. The superintendent had already been provided with the SAO's management letter and knew she was going to have to come up with an excuse. This raises the following questions. Why did it take you 3 months to address the false statements made on February 10th, 2026? What part
033of the fiscal year 2024 23-24 accountability audit confused you? You were provided with concerns of fraud. Both. Oh, that might not matter. How about that? I was I was timing myself. Where are we now? >> Uh um about 10 seconds. >> Oh. Oh, wow. Uh okay, from from current facts it appears that uh this has been covering up uh this matter since later you laid eyes on it 2024. At this point saying that the admin administration has had ethical and honesty issues is almost akin to saying that Jeffrey Dahmer had an eating disorder. This documentation demonstrates a pattern of deception and clear effort for covering up wrongdoing. >> Okay, our next uh speaker is Michael Brenner. Michael, are you here? Michael Brunner. Okay, if Michael shows up I'll call I'll call his name again um
034and give him an opportunity. Um the next speaker on the list is Clarissa Hightower. Good evening. >> Good evening. Uh as many of you know, I'm sure you heard of the uh City of Vancouver's Inspire Vancouver Grant, which sets aside a portion of the city's sales tax to support um both Evergreen and Vancouver Public Schools with expanding access for students uh to the arts, culture, heritage, and to science. Um and as you can imagine, the culturally responsive community leaders that the superintendent has been gathering was very excited to um get together and talk about how to partner to utilize these funds that the districts get. You don't have to apply for it, you just get them. Um you can imagine our surprise when some of us receive an email um saying that we were not
035going to gather at the end of the year, but rather she wanted to meet with us one-on-one. Um we are not a group of of individualists. We we move collectively. And so we met um as a group and decided that we would politely decline to meet one-on-one, um but would love to be able to gather as a group as we have been to talk about the aforementioned funds, but also um about a few other things that we had been um thinking about uh throughout our gatherings as a culturally responsive community uh group. We also wanted to make sure that our group did not turn into um simply a list of resources that goes to uh building leaders, but rather uh maintain ourselves as a living, breathing resource of humans that can provide insight, context, and
036perspectives that may otherwise be missing from the decision-making conversations and spaces. Um we had submitted about 10, which we know was a lot, um of topics that we would like to share in addition to talking about the funds. Um one of them was reviewed this evening. I was very happy to see um some more detail about how the district will be moving forward with the equity work. Um and I'm looking forward to seeing more about the accountability measures that will go along with that. Um we also wanted to gather to talk about clarifying the purpose of the group that that gathers um with the superintendent. We were really interested in reviewing the teaching and learning equity audit that seems to have some findings about the cohesion of equity in the district. Um we really wanted
037to talk about strengthening the leadership and vision around student equity and family engagement knowing that it does go beyond the role. Um and that if it is an everything, we hope to see those measurements and those accountability measures. Um there are about 17 CBOs and culturally responsive community leaders who gather, who are in support of hopefully having a an amazing end of year gathering with the superintendent. And the ending thing I want to Let me get my happy sandwich. Happy beginning, happy ending. Um nominate a youth community hero today. We have amazing students in our district. I'm going to leave this with you so we can nominate them to be to get their flowers. >> Thank you. I have to stop you though. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Appreciate it. Thank you for your comment.
038>> [applause] >> The next person um is Kai Hargus. Please correct my pronunciation if I've done it wrong. >> So, as you just said, my name is Kai and I'm a student at Hila High School. Um but I also have siblings and many friends who will continue to attend school in the Evergreen district. While I understand the recent budget cuts were a very difficult decision to make and that there was of course thought put into them, I also disagree with them very much. First of all, I would like to acknowledge that most of the staffing cuts that were made will mainly affect vulnerable populations, particularly some cuts to several language specialists, instructional and transition coaches, paraeducators, and student support teachers. I also question why when budget issues arise, these positions are the first to be
039cut. First of all, I want to focus on several language specialists being cut from elementary schools. While you're claiming to enhance language services, I know that you're also laying off several specialists. According to the National Institute of Health, the prevalence of speech disorders is highest among these children ages 3 to 6 and ages 7 to 10. I'd like you to imagine being somewhere you've never been before, surrounded by strangers and unable to communicate. Sounds terrifying. In cutting some language specialists, you're taking away children's voices and their ability to communicate. I also would like to focus on cuts made to fifth grade band and orchestra. When I was in fifth grade, I participated in orchestra, a very fond memory. I was struggling struggling with issues in my family, parents who both struggled in addiction, and who
040were split up at the time. My mother was in rehab, and I was struggling with severe severe mental issues. Orchestra was one of the only places I felt safe, a sense of belonging, and one of the only places where I could find an escape from my personal issues. In cutting fifth grade band and orchestra, you're taking this opportunity away from a countless number of students. Music is more than what you see. It saves lives, including my life. Again, like I said, I understand that making budget cuts is a very difficult decision. I do not, however, understand your decision in cutting these positions that mainly affect marginalized communities. Especially when just this year, Clark County voted in approval of two large levies. One was an educational and operations levy, and the other was a safety and
041security and technology capital levy. Both of these were meant to fund the kinds of positions that you are cutting. And from the budget cuts that I read, it does not seem like you're making use of these levies. And I severely question where these funds are going. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is Samuel Sanchez Moreno. Welcome. >> Good evening. Hello, board members. My name is Samuel Sanchez Moreno, a high school freshman student at Union. I'd like to thank you for the time you've given me, and my apologies if I come off as rude or offensive. I'm not trying to judge you guys, but I'm just trying to share my point of view. Now, I'm going to be talking about the fifth grade band and orchestra removal. You
042see, that taking this opportunity away from students is not just it's not something that only affects the students, but it also affects families. You see, music brings people together. These things that bring them it's more than just a sound, but it's more of something that can bring communities together. Now, when you guys are taking away these um these opportunities for students to grow, it's like taking away something important in this child's life, you know? These opportunities are something that these students need in order to grow. You know, when my middle school orchestra went in touring in elementary schools, you should have seen the faces of elementary schoolers who pointing at us, band and orchestra, saying, "Wow, I want to be like that one day. I can't wait for fifth grade." When you are taking away
043these opportunities, you're cutting off a chance for them to grow. This is something important in some students' lives, and it's something necessary for these students in order to grow. You see, taking away these things does deeply affect the way these students grow. You see, a lot of high schools are a lot of high school dropouts come, but some students who stay, they come to school for something that brings them, something that the school offers, whether that's friends, clubs, sports, or music programs. Now, taking away this will only take away some more students often attending these schools. You see, they you want something to come to. They want They want something to look forward to in their days, especially going to school. Some students don't enjoy coming to school, but they only come for some things
044that the school offers, something that can reunite them and bring them together. Orchestra, band is something that brings a lot of students together. These are opportunities that students would like not to be taken away. This is something fundamental in some students' lives, and even though I may not see your guys' point of view or the budget cuts what you guys are doing, I still in my point of view, this isn't such a wise idea. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is Bethany Pia. >> Good evening. My name is Bethany, and I'm the parent of two children in the Evergreen Public School District. I'm also a volunteer and an active parent in our PTO. Firstly, I'd like to uh make it clear that this is
045not a reflection of the child-facing staff that work directly with our students every day. Many of the school building staff care deeply for our children and often work under enormous pressure with limited resources. Procedural safeguards are the rule book districts must follow to protect your child's right to an appropriate education and to make sure parents have a voice. This concern is about the system itself, the district structure, leadership decisions, and power imbalances that families encounter when advocating for their children. When parents first enter the world of special education, most of us come in trusting the district will guide us honestly, explain our rights clearly, and work alongside us in good faith. And yet, very quickly, many parents learn something something deeply unsettling. These safeguards only protect children when the district consistently follows them. Parents should
046not need to become amateur attorneys just to secure appropriate support for their children. No child No parent should have to spend thousands of dollars to simply ensure their child receive their child receives the education they are legally entitled to, especially not because of loopholes and vague language created within the district's own system. And yet, many do. Getting my child's IEP to accurately reflect his level of need with the accommodations and services he requires to access his education should not have taken 15 months. The data was there to support the need. More than a year prior, we had asked for clarity and unambiguous language. At the beginning of this school year, we had asked for the same. We were told by a district special education coordinator that, in comparison, our son is not that bad, and
047wait and see. And finally, after our third IEP meeting for this school year alone, the district coordinator reached out to deny our request yet again. This time, I knew our rights. I asked for the denial in a prior written notice. The response I was met with was that the district does not issue prior written notices for single item requests. A district level special education coordinator should surely know the law is correct. A healthy special education system should not rely on which parents have the time, education, emotional stamina, or financial resources to fight harder for to fight harder than others. The children whose parents cannot fight are still entitled to the same education and protections under the law. Do not continue to let a vulnerable population slip through the cracks. Lead with integrity. It is time
048to rebuild trust between families and the district. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> [applause] >> Neal Lohman Welcome. >> Hi, my name is Camille and I'm a parent. Last week a nearby superintendent was arrested for tampering with a witness, failure to report, and obstructing law enforcement. Media outlets reported that parents in the district had been raising concerns with their school board for months, only to receive vague responses and no meaningful action being taken. And that felt like looking into a mirror because for more than 2 years the district's community this district's community has been repeatedly raising concerns that were either ignored, dismissed, or completely deflected with false or misleading statements read by the superintendent during her reports at board meetings. What began as justified community outrage over the September 4th, 2023 supplemental
049contracts quickly shifted to valid community concerns over district processes in general, as well as serious questions surrounding transparency, communication, and accountability from the school board and district leadership. Especially after the last board meeting on May 12th, when it was revealed that the state auditor's office confirmed exactly what the community had been raising concerns about for years now, and two individuals had even experienced retaliation over by COO Genai Gomes. EPS could not show that the supplemental contracts were approved before the work was performed or that the work fell outside of already existing job responsibilities. And the contracts violated the state's constitution, which prohibits extra compensation after services had already been rendered. Ms. Gomes received $13,980 in retroactive compensation listed as bargaining lead while already earning approximately $23,442.72 during that same period when it was already explicitly
050stated in her job description that she's to serve as chief negotiator. Taking money without approval is violation of the law, and our superintendent minimized the significance of this at the May 12th board meeting, proving yet again that transparency and accountability is still not of of importance to her. It also appears that the district's retained law firm did not act in the interest of the district, but rather in defense of Ms. Gomes personally, providing law enforcement with at least 14 false or misleading statements, including repeated claims that the 23-24 audit had already been cleared uh the for the submittal contract concern, which the state auditor's later findings directly contradicted. And through records obtained through the Vancouver PD, it was discovered that on September 5th, 2025, the district's director of safety and security, Shane Gardner, coordinated with
051VPD Commander Dumas to provide Ms. Gomes with a police report less than 48 hours after it was completed, which was more than 3 days before the detective assigned to the case even accessed the file. So, the subject of the complaint received documentation during an active investigation. Imagine if the superintendent who was just arrested last week had gained access to the documents pertaining to her involvement during the investigation. But thankfully, that law enforcement agency investigating that matter did not appear to allow that to happen. So, perhaps if this matter had been handled with transparency instead of misleading statements, accountability instead of cover-ups, there may have been actual opportunity for a fair and independent investigation. And how can the community be confident that this is the first and only time something like this has happened? Ms. Gomes
052should be required to reimburse the district not only for the $13,980 in unlawful compensation, but also for all the additional legal fees and investiga- -tion expenses. Ms. Gomes' employment with this district should also be terminated. So, when will the web of lies stop to allow room for accountability and transparency so public trust has even the slightest chance to rebuild? >> Thank you for your comment. Christie Peak. >> Good evening. Um Christie Peak, um speaking as president of Evergreen Education Association. Um the EEA Rep Council through a vote on a resolution at the May 13th Rep Council meeting has directed me to inform the school board of the Rep Council's recommendation of a vote of no confidence in COO Gomes. The vote will be taken at the June 17th general membership meeting. And do you have
053a copy of the resolution? Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Arnulfo Arredondo Garrido. >> Good morning, members of the board. >> Please correct that. >> My name's Arnulfo Arredondo Garrido. As you may know, I served this year as a safe liaison. I just want to give my honest thank you to the board for giving me the opportunity to grow into my leadership and be able to just serve my community in a sense that actually feels empowering. I hope the ideas, concerns, and experiences I've shared throughout my time in this role have actually made your brains think and used these goals. Sorry. Being in this position meant a lot to me because I, while I was growing up, did not feel like I had that much of a voice. And I
054really hope to be able to serve you guys next year as Zach president. I will be applying when the form comes out. Thank you for your time. >> Arnulfo, thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Katherine Ferdic. >> Good evening. My name is Katherine Ferdic. My four children graduated through EPS and I volunteer. Two years ago a parent in a packed board meeting asked you if rewarding failure to avert a strike, failure to bargain in good faith, or even show up to the bargaining table was something you believed was an appropriate way to spend our limited school funds. Then proceeded to reveal publicly the infamous bargaining supplemental contracts, which not only surprised your community, but apparently the board, too. Our district has been in a painful trend of yearly budget cuts, with the last
055few especially brutal. Not long after these bargaining extras were requested, our students would soon be left with no librarians and lose vital student-facing positions. A chasm grew between the community's trust and its school board and leadership when those in the highest tiers gained while teachers were lowballed and mocked, and students endured loss after loss in educational opportunity and support. In the over $31,000 in the money spent since in legal fees and investigation, many families and staff see the equivalents of the student-facing support and programs those funds could and should have supported. Instead, well, we heard repeatedly there was no more fat left to cut, there was apparently enough for a few pockets. >> [snorts] >> Many community members and employees have asked for investigation and explanation over the last 2 and 1/2 years, along with
056the expectation, stated in multiple board comments at the bargaining team voluntarily return those collected funds. The state auditor's office management letter regarding those extra contracts also mirrored this similar concern and recommended the district condition conduct additional legal review to determine if any further action, such as repayment, are necessary or required by law. And of all the people who should know intricately how supplemental contracts work, it is your COO, who not only gained the most from those contracts, but requested them in the same documentation that relayed concerns from a director, but more about weaponization of those contracts, rather than why the public would be legitimately angry that executives gained while students faced more losses. Did you respond to the state auditor's requests and conclusions on those contracts as you have the community members and employees requesting
057and insisting on accountability and transparency with stalling, deflection, invalidation, dismissal, dishonesty, gaslighting, retaliation. The measure twice cut once tenant extolled by our our superintendent has turned into deflection and blame. We have repeatedly heard the board refer to needing to restore trust at the community, but we're not seeing the efforts. The latest public comments policy revision and workshop is one of many contradictions to that sentiment. We want to be able to trust our school board and that these five elected directors representing a community of thousands are making decisions that are truly in the best interest for our children. Those actions of personal enrichment during brutal budget cuts and the behavior following, I can't reconcile that. Many of the community can't reconcile that and I honestly don't understand how you as a board could reconcile that with
058good conscience, stewardship, character, and integrity. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> [applause] >> Uh the next name on the list is Kendall Teaman, but he's already spoken. Uh so the next speaker will be Kristen Edmiston. Good evening. >> Good evening. Kristen Edmiston, I'm a teacher at Evergreen High School. My pronouns are she/her. I'm a member of the Evergreen Education Association and uh bargaining support team, so I'm here tonight to give you a bargaining update. Um we have had four sessions so far, May 11th, 15th, 19th, and 22nd. At this time, all issues have been brought forward by both teams. Uh Evergreen Education Association has uh 32 proposals on the table and the district team has 20 proposals on the table. Um and there are at least seven tentative agreements so far, which
059means those are agreements that both sides have come to. So, they are finished items. Um until they're voted on. Uh counter proposals have been exchanged by both teams and the next uh meeting date for both sides is uh June 2nd. Thank you. >> Thank you, Kristen. Thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Adam Aguilera. >> Dear Evergreen School Board and Superintendent Maloney, >> [clears throat] >> my name is Adam Aguilera and I'm speaking as a member of the Evergreen Education Association. The day after the last school board meeting, the Evergreen Education Association's Rep Council passed a resolution of no confidence in Chief Operations Officer Janae Gomes. They are encouraging EEA members to vote no confidence in the COO at our general membership meeting on June 17th. For years, the educators of this district have
060been asking for accountability >> [clears throat] >> and efforts by district management to improve working relationships along with calling on the four 2023 district bargaining members to return the over $31,000 in unjust enrichment from supplemental contracts they received. None of them have done the right thing and now we have the proof from the Washington State Auditor's Office that those contracts were against state constitution and the district had no legal documentation of them being approved. Which means Stevens Clay's attorney Garrett Williams provided false or misleading statements to the Vancouver Police Department's investigation of those contracts and that Superintendent Maloney has now lied twice on February 10th and on May 12th to claim the State Auditor's Office had reviewed those contracts and found no wrongdoing when their management letter is clear that this board needs to address
061what happened. On May 12th, the superintendent stated, "The district accepts those recommendations and is already implementing procedural refinements to ensure supplemental contracts are consistently documented and executed in advance of moving forward." First, there was nothing in the state auditor's letter recommending the district engage in implementing any procedural refinements. Superintendent Maloney, for the second time, was ignoring the fact that former Evergreen payroll employee Danny Stevenson implemented those procedures in 2023, and she ignored the fact that he was a victim of the COO's retaliation for doing his job. What the chief operations officer Jane Gomes did to Danny Stevenson was an injustice. He did his duty to follow the internal controls he was trained to do and was forced to resign in lieu of termination for it. And this school board, the superintendent, and the Stevens Clay
062attorney knew all of this had happened at my appeal hearing in 2024. They even knew that during my staff complaint, the COO retaliated against me by trying to deny me pay for work I had already performed in the district. And in that hearing, the superintendent defended her saying, "Well, the lawyer said it wasn't illegal." But it was highly unethical misconduct, just like what happened to Danny Stevenson, and confirms the Evergreen Administrators Association's allegations of the COO fostering a climate of fear and retaliation in the district. The school board has held special meetings to terminate other employees for less. This pattern of deception must stop. There must be accountability to the taxpayers and staff for what happened to Danny Stevenson. The superintendent should be held to account for her false statements to the public, and the
063board should direct her to compel Chief Operations Officer Jane Gomes to resign in lieu of termination. >> Thank you for your comments. >> [applause] >> Our next speaker is Angie Bunda. Angie, are you here? There you are. >> My name is Angie Punda and I'm a parent. What has been the cost of EPS's failures to be transparent? Last week's news about the Longview School District Superintendent Cloninger showed us that non-monetary costs are pretty high. She was charged with a felony and at least one misdemeanor. This will be expensive in her future need for legal assistance. I doubt that the LSD will be paying for her defense attorney. Not like the Evergreen School District did for COO Janie Golums related to the September 4th supplemental contracts in 2023. Here's a rough estimate of what the supplemental
064contracts have cost the taxpayers so far. First, $31,104 for the money issued to the four administrators, $29,790 paid to Rick Kaiser to conduct what is referred to as the Kaiser investigation on the legitimacy of the contracts. Next, $2,887.50 billed by attorney Garrett Williams for 10.5 hours to be present for the appeal hearing related to that Kaiser investigation on 10 10 24. And $3,097.50 billed by Garrett Williams to provide false information in emails to VPD Detective Ali from 9 8 25 to 10 30 25. For over 7 weeks, he provided 14 separate pieces of false and misleading information on behalf of or related to the COO. Finally, an approximate extra $10,000 paid by EPS during the 24-25 accountability audit to look at unreported material from the prior audit time period. The total of these events is
065approximately $76,879. Taxpayer money would have been saved if things were explored when Tim Seis sent the email to Director Rob Perkins back in 2023 alerting him to complaints about the contracts and requesting an investigation. Or again in 2024 when Adam Aguilera filed that complaint and then EPS hired Rick Kaiser for an investigation in spring of that year. But due to an incomplete investigation, EPS did not follow through. Superintendent Maloney could have addressed this on January 24th, 2025 when I emailed her about these contracts, their process, and asked for an investigation. She replied that these contracts were legal, and she was saddened by my distrust and questions. I sent the email to each of you. Her pattern of inaction and deception has cost the district both money and trust, and she must be asked to resign.
066You all have laid people off due to financial challenges while allowing taxpayer funds to continue covering up these issues. You've not made efforts to recoup the money that personally benefited the COO and should be reimbursed as suggested in the recent second SAO management letter. The COO should pay back what she has taken from the taxpayers, and she should resign or be terminated. Now that I gave you the numbers of known costs, what are the future costs relating to Danny Stevenson? He has come to you multiple times in 2026 asking for a simple name clearing, and now it's clear he did everything correctly, and Garrett Williams, acting on behalf of EPS, gave false information to VPD. What will this cost the taxpayers in the future? You each need to do your job and protect our money
067and stop wasting taxpayer funds. Please act. >> Thank you for your comments. >> [applause] >> Phil Cronibus. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Phil Cronibus, district constituent. Tonight, I am here before the board to recommend that you report the incident that student Carmen Shoemaker commented on concerning what took place in the women's bathroom of the Evergreen Public School to law enforcement. I'm not making a legal statement to the board, only a recommendation and a notation that I've made clear that the board should go to law enforcement and report the incident and all the facts that it knows about the incident. I'm also suggesting that the board collect and preserve any necessary information that law enforcement might be interested in, including the following. One, emails between board members concerning the incident and any or and or
068any emails to outside parties about the incident. And two, video of Carmen's public comment. I hope that the board takes this recommendation seriously as anyone in the community could bring this situation up as possible sexual harassment. Federal laws govern sexual harassment in schools and the incident that happened with Carmen Shoemaker that she described in her testimony previously exhibits behavior of sexual harassment by students toward each other. I hope the board considers the implications of not reporting to legal authorities. Carmen Shoemaker deserves justice as we all do. Hear her voice equitably. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you for your comment. Um on that note, Dr. Maloney, could you bring us a follow-up on on the circumstances of the student? Okay. Just an executive session kind of thing. Um The next speaker is Elijah Olin. >>
069All right. Hello >> Hello. >> to the board and Dr. Maloney. My name is Elijah Olin. I am a student at Union High School. I'm the president of the American Civil Liberties Union club at my school and I serve on the district budget committee. I don't have a whole speech planned for you all, but I want to encourage that you listen to the previous speakers and take their words to heart because that is your job as our directors of our public school system. And I want to ask that you run the district not like a business, but like a community because we are a community made up of students, parents, teachers, and workers. That is all. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comment. >> [applause] >> Okay, I want to call on Michael Brunner
070if he's here. I guess he's not here. Um and that is the full list of folks who've signed up to speak. Uh so, we'll close the public comment section of the meeting at this time. The next item on the agenda is our board's consent agenda. Is there a motion? >> I move to approve the board's consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Director Grunewald has moved and Director Bocanegra seconded to approve the board's consent agenda as presented. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Our next item is the superintendent consent agenda. >> I move to approve the superintendent's consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Director Grunewald has moved and Director Bocanegra second uh the superintendent's consent agenda as presented approval of. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion carries.
071Next item on our agenda is matters for board action. Uh this is the point in the meeting where we're going to vote on a selection to fill the vac- uh the vacated uh director area four seat. Last Tuesday, we interviewed five candidates chosen from the nine community members who applied for the position. The board was very impressed with all the candidates and would like to thank everyone who participated in the process. The board will vote by ballot and you should have a document that looks like this. There's uh it says ballot one and if we need it, ballot two. We'll vote on ballot one to begin with. Um cast your vote and the completed ballots will be passed to the board secretary, Dr. Dr. Superintendent Maloney. Uh Superintendent Dr. Maloney, who will read the ballot
072ballots, tally the votes, and announce the results. In the event of a tie, the board will conduct a second vote and repeat the process. Once a new director is selected, please welcome them and inform them that they will be sworn in That's just a note for me. >> [laughter] >> Let me just say that later. Okay. At this point, please cast your vote. >> Are we going to have some discussion? >> Um Sure. >> Or just some comments? >> Yeah, let's make some comments. >> Okay. I just want to um one, Rob, um you were right on target by saying that we had five fantastic candidates and it's not easy um to put yourself out there and apply for the school board. So, I want to thank every single one of them. I know that
073all of them have been working and volunteering in our districts in some way and uh even if they're not selected, I hope that they continue that effort because we need all of us to support our students and our communities. So, I just wanted to say that all of them bring some really unique skills and um things to could be for the for the board. Um but we can only choose one, unfortunately, but I hope that everybody continues on. >> I just want to say thank you for um the candidates that came in and put themselves on camera in front of the public and answered some pretty hard questions that we had for them. Um all of the candidates, as everybody has said so far, were amazing. It was a hard decision. Um so thank you
074again and I look forward to whoever ends up with the position moving forward and working with them. Thank you. >> Yes, thank you and I don't think we can make a bad decision here. So, I appreciate all five candidates and look forward to welcoming whoever comes out on top. Thanks. >> I have to agree. I This this falls as a good problem. Uh to select one out of five outstanding candidates and I appreciate the comments that you've made about them. I agree. Okay, if there are no more comments, uh we'll cast our vote and pass it to Superintendent Maloney. >> Panel three. >> Please stand by. >> Procedure-wise, do you want me to read each one individually and the person who who voted? >> Yeah. Uh we go on the record as who voted for
075whom, too. >> All right. So, um Director Bocanegra voted for Willie Williams. Director Gary Wilson voted for Angelo Gonzalez. Director Jenny Arndt-Malt voted for Willie Williams. And Director or President Perkins voted for Tonya English. >> So, let's tally that. >> So, we have one for Tonya, >> it's I know. >> one two for Willie, and one for Angelo. >> Thank you. Uh I am not entirely sure whether a two-vote I think we need three votes to appoint, don't we? How did you >> You need a majority. >> A majority. >> As long as we have quorum, then we do. >> And we have a quorum. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Well, exactly half the votes came in for uh Mr. Williams, which is not a current majority on the board. Uh so, we have to
076go to ballot two, but before we uh vote again, um I want to ask each of us to uh say something about the candidate they chose or whatever else occurs to you right now. Um and help us persuade each other to reach consensus. >> Your hands on the button? >> Um well, I'll I uh selected Mr. Williams uh largely in part because of his educator background, and I feel like um this board could benefit from having an educator as being part of all the years that I've been on the board we've never had an educator as a member of the board and I feel like that would be and he's had experience as not only an educator and administrator athletic director kind of all of the things um currently working in public or Portland public.
077>> Okay. >> For me um I voted for Mr. Williams for exactly the same reason Director Bokanegra chose or stated um a lot of the backgrounds. One of the things that we have definitely missed um on our board and even the community has commented is about not having educational background um within the six or the five of us. Um his commitment his his um commitment to his local schools to the entire district but his involvement in his his own students or his own kids schools um we you know we were able to get some feedback and everything all of the information we got back was all positive and a lot of the information or a lot of the aspects of what we have been wanting here which is equity um bringing the board or you
078know the community the student voice um bringing everybody you know together and he has a lot of background in doing that. So that is one of the reasons um one of a couple of reasons why I chose Mr. Williams. >> Gary. >> Yes, I chose Angelo. Um it like I said it's a hard decision. However, his uh mental health background uh I feel right now that's a major concern. Um this month is mental health awareness month here at Evergreen and you know, we've heard, you know, students come up and you know, one even tonight about band and just how that um really helped save her. And you know, it's it's a serious issue and I think we could use more expertise there on the board and more someone with definite heart for that and I
079think he's shown that. And yeah, I just the worst thing as a board member and I didn't think about it before I got on the board but when our superintendent lets us know you know, sadly one, you know, a couple of times a year it seems um a student takes their life. And that that's the worst part about being a a super or a board member, superintendent, a teacher is seeing a a student do that. Um you just wish there was some intervention beforehand. Um it's hard. Um I've been there a few once or twice myself. Uh it's it you know, you depression and and other things are are tough and and the things kids face these days are to some extent probably far worse with the internet and uh all social media. So, um
080yeah, that would that was where my heart was on that. So, thanks. >> Thank you. Um my selection of Tanya English um had a very similar sort of thing. Well connected in the community and service to the schools and so forth and also uh, bilingual with connections uh, to the Hispanic communities. Um, which constitute a third of our students. And um, my thinking uh, was that we could really use that influence on the board. So, in I I guess in a slate of five people, all of whom could bring their all to our work, uh, she came out on top for me, but uh, Mr. Williams came in a very close second. So, I'd be I'd be willing to appoint both of them, and I think I think I'm ready to cast a second vote.
081Are there any other comments or the like? Then let's go ahead and take out ballot number two. Cast a vote there. And we'll see how it goes this time. >> Director Gary Wilson, one vote for Willie Williams. Director Julie Boquenegra, one vote for Willie Williams. Director Dinny Gronwalt, one vote for Willie Williams. And President Perkins, one vote for Willie Williams. And I can tally that for you. >> [laughter] >> That would be four, a majority. >> That is in fact a majority. It is a unanimous selection on the second ballot for Mr. Willie Williams. Uh are you here? Well, Mr. Williams. >> [applause] >> Thank you for applying um and interviewing with us. >> Absolutely, my my pleasure. Uh good evening to family. Uh it's an honor. Uh distinct pleasure. Uh I'm ready to get
082to work. Uh I'm ready to do the work and bring in this bring in the district together. Absolutely. >> I'm very hopeful. Okay. Um welcome then. And now I get to actually read this part. >> [laughter] >> Uh the swearing in will take place at our board meeting on June 9th. Uh and I want to thank all the other candidates uh again, as we said, uh five excellent and dedicated people uh stood up for this and it's not easy to stand up for this. >> Yeah. >> And I appreciate it and and uh hope that they'll seek opportunities to continue to seek opportunities to serve the kids uh in other ways. >> Yeah. >> Of course, my door is always open. Uh so, anyone can call me. Talk about it. Uh in the meantime heartfelt
083welcome. Thank you for applying. Um if you stick around for the workshop we can get you set up uh with the next steps. >> Absolutely. Thank you so much. >> All right. >> Uh district forum here. Uh of course, reach out for anything. >> All right. >> So much. >> Thank you and welcome. >> Welcome. Thank you, board. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay. The next item on the agenda is an information item. Uh, consisting of the financial statement submitted by um, CFO uh, Jennifer Jacobson. Thank you. Known her for years. Uh, no action is required. So, the next uh, item on the agenda is board comments. >> Uh, a couple of things. Um, I again, I just wanted to thank all of the people that applied for the district four position. We had
084some fantastic interviews if you weren't able to see them. Um, lots of skill sets and things that we need for kids. So, and as Gary mentioned, for sure there um, it was really a tough decision because we have you know, some of the candidates that are already in the schools that are working with our kids and we hope that work continues cuz it's really important. Uh, we are embarking on our favorite time of year, which is graduation. So, I'm excited to spend next week with all of you at our um, celebrations for our kids. So, looking forward to that. >> I just want to say thank you to all of the applicants um, that applied for district four position. Uh, additionally, thank you to the five that came in and interviewed with us. Uh, we
085greatly appreciate all of you. Um, and the community for the support during this time. And yes, our favorite time of year. It's tiring, but it is so well worth it when you seven graduations in three days and we usually shake the hand of about 2,500 students every June. So, that is an exciting time and I am looking forward to it. So, we'll see you there. >> Can I add one more thing? >> Of course. >> So, earlier today I um told Lori that I was going to vote no on the superintendent's consent agenda because her name was on our classified employee report and we all but we got to recognize her tonight because if you didn't notice that she was one of our retirees. Um but I'm happy to announce that we'll have a few
086more months left to work with Lori, but boy are we going to miss you and thank you. >> Definitely. >> [applause] >> Okay. After our last board meeting I actually got to attend the uh student advisory committee meeting. Uh and we talked a little most of it was uh logistics. It's like when when will the applications for next year go out? When will the uh uh choices be made? And of course we heard from two students tonight uh who are very interested in continuing in service in those roles. Uh and that's pretty exciting for me. Um I hope to have a little more involvement with students on those committees. That would be uh that would be really beneficial I think for my my own decision-making uh because it was a joy to listen to them.
087They're uh interested it's too late this year, but they're interested in uh members of SAC and SAFE and um and our student board representatives having some graduation cords to wear with their gown at graduation and I thought that was a tremendous idea. Um came from one of the students who spoke today. And their interest and you know, it was it was a not a well-attended meeting. Three kids showed up. Uh but the ideas that flew back and forth are fantastic. Now, we'll have an opportunity to go over the uh applications for SAC in a workshop this summer. Um and I'm sure if we do it soon enough, we can invite some of those students to come and and contribute. Um Well, the uh the board representative position is due Friday, but the SAC membership um
088is needs a little reworking in connection with the way that SAFE chapters are opening up at every school uh and how the students want to organize um how SAFE interacts with the student advisors and how the student advisors interact with us. Um and they have pretty good plan. I also got a chance to once again visit Legacy High School, talk to some students who are in the uh Open Doors program and in uh I think it was credit recovery, right? No, it was the GED. Uh students who are working on their GED and uh each of them was making progress towards success in that section and I'm glad the district has a program uh to help folks along who want to who want to take that path. Okay. And that concludes my comments. Are there
089any other comments? >> Yeah, I'm going to say one more thing. I'm all sorry, I apologize. I'm all over the place, but I did want to recognize that we have students here from the Teaching Academy class that they um invited me to a couple of weeks ago. And I had such a good time with the class. I actually went twice this year. So, we got students from um Heritage High and their teacher Christie Rice is here. And so, I just wanted to acknowledge them. I think there's some students from Union as well from the Teaching Academy. Is that correct? Oh, okay. Well, that's okay, but we thank them all for coming and um come part of their work this year was to attend a board meeting, so they um came tonight. >> Awesome. Would it
090be appropriate if they stood and and were recognized by us? No, okay, you got these two? Three? It's good to see you. >> [applause] >> There's a few over there, so five. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, I want to thank everybody coming tonight and commenting and also thank each of the applicants again. Um it was a tough decision. It was a good decision. Um Yeah, like I said, there we couldn't have made a bad choice. So, it's good to have those kind of choices. So, make it tough on us. Appreciate that. Um Yeah, I didn't mention last time, but uh I attended the Cascadia Tech Academy uh gala and they raised uh well over a half a million dollars. So, it was really amazing. So, and yeah, just it was fun night and
091just seeing I think we had about 30 students that just came out and kind of presented, you know, they were you know, what their study was and what they're looking forward to doing next and uh it was exciting and it just gives kids other avenues to um explore if you know, academia maybe isn't their number one thing. So, um it's nice to have choices. So, it does give the students choices. And yeah, I want to thank Lori. It's going to miss her. She's been uh very helpful for me. Um, so appreciate her. So, it's going to be heartbreaking someone else in >> [laughter] >> Here here I was reserving my comments to Lori for the actual board meeting actual last board meeting, but yes, Lori. Lori, thank you for your service and your attention and
092uh, your kindness. Yeah, and you're not gone yet. So, keep up the good work, I guess. >> [laughter] >> And and on a serious note, um, yeah, I I know April believe it was the 21st or was it April 19th? Our our board meeting in April, we just had one. Um, I had mentioned that, you know, the state auditors were going to be looking at the supplemental contracts from 2023. And I mentioned at that time that it would be whatever their, you know, findings in this case, management letter, whatever they um, came up with, whatever their assessment was, that we as a community would have to accept it. And honestly, I was thinking it was going to be um, the community that was going to have to accept. I I really kind of thought they
093were maybe going to just rubber stamp it. Um, that did not happen. Um, I really thought that was going to be the case and it's not. So, then it's up to us as a board and superintendent to look at what they said and basically deal with it. Um, we can't just sweep it under the rug. Um, and it's not a matter of procedure, it's a matter of what's right and wrong, what the state constitution says, and you know, there were um, if there was a contract in place to have them paid, then that everything's fine. There was not. And there was a prior precedent from the strike back in 2018. So, if they had worked excess hours and felt they were needing extra pay, they should have had a contract in place for future negotiations,
094but they did not. So, in that case, you're you're precluded from having that supplemental contract. That's the way I read the law. That's the way I read this management letter. So, um it mentions in the last paragraph, um "We also recommend the district conduct additional legal review to determine if any further actions, such as repayment, are necessary or required by law." And again, as I mentioned at our last board meeting, I definitely would um recommend getting a third-party, uh outside party legal firm to do that. Um I can share why I have reservations, but um yeah, that would be definitely my strongest recommendation. And and we have a resolution here that uh vote of no confidence that I haven't read yet, but I will go through that and and just say I I'm listening. And
095um believe we I want to have integrity. I want to uphold my um oath of office and do what what is right. And wherever those chips fall, that's where they fall. And so, thank you. >> Any further comments? Okay. Next on the agenda is an executive session under RCW 42 30 110 uh 1G, review the pub- performance of a public employee. The time is 7:07 p.m. And at 7:00 the board will go into an executive session in the Hemlock Room to review the performance of a public employee from 7:20 until 7:35. That's 15 minutes, right? Yeah. Um if we need to go past the time, I'll stop the session and come out and announce it the extension to the time. I'm going to set Okay. So, um we'll be in recess until 7:20 and meet
096in executive session, after which we'll return for the rest of the meeting. All right. Time is uh 7:36. >> [sighs] >> Um and the next and we come out of executive session. The next item on the agenda is a personnel matter. Uh there are two reasons considerations for the non-renewal notice uh to uh two employees who uh received a non-renewal notice as part of staffing adjustments. Action will require a motion. >> I move that the board uphold the decision of the superintendent for employee Tracy Maze and that the board chair work with legal counsel to notify Ms. Maze within the required 10-day timeline. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Director Granlund has moved that the board uphold the decision of the superintendent for employee Tracy Mays and that the board chair work with
097legal counsel to notify Ms. Mays within the required 10-day timeline. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor? >> Aye. Uh any opposed? Motion carries. Second item. >> I move that the board uphold the decision of the superintendent for employee Mike George and that the board chair work with legal counsel to notify Ms. George Mr. George within the required 10-day timeline. >> Second. Director Grunwald has moved and and Director Wilson seconded that the board uphold the decision of the superintendent for employee Mike George and that the board chair work with legal counsel to notify Uh it says Ms. George here? >> It does. >> Yeah, it's Mr. George. Uh Mr. George within Ms. George? >> It's Ms. >> Ms. George? >> Oh, my >> My sincere apologies. To
098notify Ms. George within the required 10-day timeline. Is there any commentary or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for the vote. All in favor? >> Aye. Any opposed? And the motion carries. Next item on our agenda is our board workshop for the evening. Um the board will go into recess and that'll be followed by a workshop on community signage discussion. Uh planning for onboarding our new director. Uh legislative update and for board protocols and calendaring. Uh and yeah. All right, we're in recess until we get to the workshop. >> [music] [music]