School Board Meeting Recap: February 13, 2025

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, February 13, at the Issaquah School District Administration Building. The meeting was open to the public, and was broadcast live on the district’s YouTube channel, where a recording of the meeting is available.

Today we’re sharing a summary of a few of the topics the board and district staff discussed and actions the board took at the meeting. It is not an official record or meeting minutes. To review official minutes from all board meetings, please visit our board meeting archive webpage. Or, for other board information such as upcoming meeting dates, times and agendas, and more, visit our School Board page.

February 2025 Bond Update and Capital Levy Discussion

Executive Director of Communications Mark Sherwood and Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Turney shared an update about Proposition 1, the bond measure on the February 11 ballot. Enough voters cast ballots to meet validation requirements; however, the bond did not receive the required 60% approval required to pass.

Sherwood highlighted some of the themes and sentiments in both opposition and supportive conversations online and in the community, as well as metrics and work that the district did to host events and share facts and information about the revised bond measure.

Board member Sydne Mullings made a motion to repeal the board action from a prior meeting that placed a capital levy on the Special Election ballot in April of 2025. The board approved that action.

Members of the board listened to several community members who offered public comment about the bond and next steps; then, they shared their thoughts about the results of the bond measure.

After tabling this agenda item to engage in the discussion described below about the Structure of Schools, the board talked about next steps. These could include the potential of additional Career and Technical Education (CTE) space on the land the district owns now as well as at our existing comprehensive high schools, corporate partnerships, a ninth-grade campus, possibilities for revenue generation for the district and more.

To watch the full discussion about the February bond and next steps, visit our YouTube Channel.

 

Structure of Schools

Board Directors introduced a discussion of a possible change to the structure of schools for the 2027-28 school year. The board first listened to public comments from community members and staff members.

The options that had been previously discussed include:

• Repurpose a current middle school campus for ninth graders across the district; or from Issaquah and Skyline. (This proposal has since been studied by staff, and would not be feasible because there is not enough room).
• Change school levels from K-5 to K-6; from 6-8 to 7-9 and from 9-12 to 10-12.
• Change boundaries and feeder patterns to level enrollment across every building and level. (This proposal has since been studied by staff and would not be feasible).
• Add double-shifting at the high school level with two start times across the day. Some students would start earlier in the day and some would start later in the day, with some overlap in the middle.

Some community members have asked whether the Issaquah School District could adjust boundaries to shift some students to the Bellevue School District. This is also not feasible, because Bellevue does not have capacity at their high schools.

Board Vice President Dr. Harlan Gallinger said he would like the board and district to come up with a plan by May if possible.

Director A.J. Taylor said before the board makes a decision he would like to know more about potential costs, potential impacts to teachers (regarding certifications and more) and other details.

Other options that were mentioned included building a new ninth grade campus; or, creating a career center facility in the space that had been previously designated for Elementary 17 (on the same land earmarked for the New High School).

Board President Marnie Maraldo said she does not think the district should implement any adjustment until the 2027-28 school year, in order to fully engage with the community and to determine the best solution, prepare for the change and implement it.

Mullings proposed that the board come up with principles for restructuring, additional supporting data and information, and a timeline for an engagement plan.

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick spoke to the magnitude of the considerations of a potential systemwide shift. “This is a big change. I want people that are listening to know that this is just a sample of all the kinds of considerations that we will need to be able to thoughtfully review, surface concerns on, surface tradeoffs, and be able to say at the end of the day, what is best for kids?” Tow-Yick said.

Board members called for:

• The district to source, compile and flesh out a list of potential options to help solve the overcrowding problem by May.

• The creation of an engagement plan to do some “deep and wide” listening.

• The timing of the decision to be determined at a future date, so that the implementation can occur for the 2027-28 school year.

For the full discussion about the structure of schools, visit our YouTube Channel.

 

Works in Progress

Superintendent Tow-Yick shared highlights from throughout the district including:

• Inclement weather disrupted our school schedule in February, and will have impacts on our school year schedule. The district is revising the schedule and reviewing the requirements for the waiver process. We will share details with families and staff as soon as we can.

• Additional topics including the district’s Strategic Plan; accelerating effectiveness and efficiency; the Legislative session including testimony from members of our team.

To listen to the full report about works in progress, visit our YouTube Channel.

 

High School Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2029

Executive Director of Secondary Education Sheri Kokx shared a presentation about graduation requirements for the Class of 2029 as prescribed by the state of Washington. Kokx shared about updates to the course guide to create alignment between the comprehensive high schools; the High School and Beyond Plan; pathways; and requirements for Gibson Ek High School graduates. She also shared information about the Online Learning Program, the district’s Re-engagement Program, and waivers.

Board directors asked questions, then voted to approve the graduation requirements.

For the full discussion about high school graduation requirements, visit our YouTube Channel.

 

Monitoring Report Results 2: Academics and Foundations

Chief Academic and Student Success Officer Dana Bailey and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Services Rich Mellish shared a Monitoring Report for Results 2 regarding Academics and Foundations.

Board directors voted to approve the monitoring report.

To watch the presentation and discussion about the monitoring report of Results 2, visit our YouTube Channel.