School Board Meeting Recap: May 29, 2025

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the District Administration Building. The meeting was open to the public and livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel. A recording is available for community viewing.

Today we’re sharing a summary of the key topics discussed and actions taken. This recap is not an official record. For formal minutes and other board-related information, visit the School Board page.

Report Out About the May 12 School Board Town Hall

On May 12 at Issaquah Middle School, the board hosted a town hall meeting attended by about 30 community members, including families, staff, and PTSA representatives. Directors said they appreciated the turnout; they reflected on the two-hour forum, noting successes and opportunities for improvement:

Attendees asked questions about budgeting, legislative impacts, overcrowding and the new high school, and school safety. They also shared there is sometimes a disconnect between what the School Board shares and what community members hear. They also suggested the board work on finding out why some families leave the district. Other feedback was about cell phone policies, college preparation, opportunities for students to participated in sports; suggestions for future Town Hall events; and more.

 

Works in Progress (Superintendent’s Report)

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick provided highlights from recent weeks:

• Federal & State Education Climate and Funding:
  • Tow-Yick had the opportunity last week to meet with other school leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C. to hear about how federal executive orders including the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and potential local effects. We should be preparing a two- to four-year budget outlook that assumes a decline in federal funds. Tow-Yick said that federal funds make up about 2.4% ($9 million) of the district’s current budget.
  • Staff will have another budget update for the board and the community on June 10. It will include updates from the state legislative session, such as the increase for local levy authority; changes in funding for Special Education Services to offset some of the local funding that has been used to cover the gap between state funding and the cost of Special Services; and a modest increase in allocation for Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC).
  • Transition to Kindergarten will be maintained. While Transition to Kindergarten is now noted as a formal grade level, it’s not part of the state’s basic education model.
     
• State Auditor Exit Conference:
  • President Marnie Maraldo and Director Matt Coyne participated in the exit conference for the district’s annual audit of September of 2023 through August 2024.
  • No material weaknesses were identified in overall financial controls.
  • One procedural finding in child nutrition will be resolved through targeted staff training and implementation of new documentation protocols.
  • All prior-year audit findings have been closed, demonstrating sustained compliance and effective and ethical stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
     
• Student, Staff, Board Achievements:
  • Athletic successes include Liberty High School winning the state championship in girls fastpitch softball, and an individual state tennis title at each comprehensive high school.
  • Jordan Frost, District Athletic Director, was elected president of the KingCo League, marking the first time an Issaquah representative has held this office. Issaquah High School Athletic Director Jordan Halstead was elected SeaKing representative, and Liberty High School Athletic Director Matt Stuart was elected SeaKing president.
  • Communications department staff earned several awards from the National School Public Relations Association: one for the “2024 School Innovation Tour” video and another for the 2025 Course Catalog Guide redesign.
  • Board President Marnie Maraldo, who is retiring this year from many years of board service, was recognized by the districtwide Issaquah PTSA Council with an honorary lifetime membership award.
     
• Site Visits & Curriculum Implementation: Tow-Yick had great visits to Cascade Ridge and Cedar Trails elementary schools, where she had the chance to see more of the new literacy curriculum; the curriculum seems to be helping advance student growth in foundational skills for reading and writing.

 

Update on the Student Representative Program

Director Coyne celebrated the current Student Representatives to the School Board and introduced the new cohort representatives for the 2025–26 school year; they were selected from a competitive pool of nearly 60 applicants.

“We take the input that you provide us very seriously, and appreciate your active engagement during our board meetings,” Coyne said.

The board expressed deep gratitude for the outgoing student representatives’ service.

 

Capital Projects Update

Tom Mullins, Director of Capital Projects, delivered a progress report on levy-funded initiatives and the new high school site:

• 2018 Critical Repairs Levy:
  • Completed: 28 projects, including roof replacements at Challenger and renovations at Creekside Elementary.
  • Substantially complete: Four projects, with final punch-list items underway.
  • In process: 10 projects
  • On Hold: two projects
     
• 2022 Critical Repairs Levy:
  • Completed: one project
  • Substantially complete: one project
  • In process: 12 projects
  • Future: one project
     
• Capital Projects Oversight Committee: 
  • Second committee meeting set for 5:30 p.m. on June 17; the agenda includes a review of potential 2026 critical repairs levy projects and possible tax rate impacts
  • The meeting is open to the public to observe
  • Committee members continue to review monthly reports and other details
     
• New High School Project: 
  • Following a productive meeting with the City of Issaquah, progress is proceeding
  • Targeting a March of 2026 construction start and August 2027 opening
     

Structure of Schools Discussion

Building on February’s review of overcrowding solutions, Dr. Dana Bailey and Chief of Finance Martin Turney presented information about potential models. Superintendent Tow-Yick first noted that the primary means for easing overcrowding at the high school level will be the construction of the New High School. As a result of moving forward with the New High School project, district staff are not recommending a change to the structure of schools in the immediate future.

The presentation included information about prior ideas including:

• Repurposing a middle school as a ninth-grade campus
• Grade-band shifts from the current model to buildings that house kindergarten through sixth grade; seventh through ninth grade; and 10th through 12th grade
• Double-shifting at high school (some students starting their day early and ending early; other students starting later and finishing later)

As stated by Tow-Yick, Turney reiterated that those options would be very impactful to students, families, staff and community; additionally, such shifts are accomplished at considerable cost both financially and in terms of the time they would take to put in place. Bailey shared that these options did not receive favorable feedback from our community.

Instead, administrators recommend that the board continue with its current plan to proceed constructing the New High School, using funds already approved by the community. A community engagement process is planned to begin in the fall to help determine grade levels, school identity, teaching and learning model, student clubs, vision for the school and more.

 

Personal Technology Use (Cell Phone Policy)

Dr. Bailey and the executive team shared an update about proposed updates to the district’s personal technology regulation, which is designed to support student well-being. It provides guidance for student cell phone use while at school. Regulation 3245 is designed to limit personal device use during class and social time to reduce exposure to social media pressures and to encourage face-to-face interaction and reduce distractions, supporting focus and emotional health. Additionally, it underscores that devices must not disrupt learning or violate privacy; explicit content and cyberbullying are strictly prohibited.

• Elementary Schools:
  • “Off and away” devices policy
  • Builds healthy habits early – prioritizing interpersonal development
• Middle Schools:
  • Devices are silenced and stowed away during class, including hallways
  • Supports growing self-management and transitions
• High Schools:
  • Similar to middle school but makes a provision for use during non-instructional time
  • Prepares students for adult responsibility and balanced digital habits

Strong practices will include clearly communicated expectations in student, parent, caregiver handbooks and via other methods. District leaders also intend to listen to feedback from students and families in the coming year.

 

Monitoring Report – Operational Expectation 14 (Instructional Program)

Bailey and staff members presented a monitoring report for OE-14 report about the instructional program.

After a lengthy discussion, board members voted not to approve the monitoring report.

 

Strategic Plan Update – Priority Areas 1 & 2

Marcel Hauser, Senior Advisor and Strategy, and staff members presented an update about the Strategic Plan Priority Area 1 (Student Well-Being) and Priority Area 2 (Academic Opportunities). Hauser shared about opportunities that staff have had to talk with groups throughout the district about work connected to the Strategic Plan; and to ask for feedback.

Highlights from Priority Area 1 and Priority Area 2 were also shared with the board.

• Goal 1: Students will feel safe and have a sense of belonging.
• Goal 2: Students will have access to the resources that support their basic needs, social-emotional, and mental and behavioral health.

Additional engagement about the Strategic Plan is planned for the fall.

At the June 10 School Board meeting, staff will report out on overall Strategic Plan progress to the School Board and community (Results 1). The report is intended to provide implementation progress by priority area, with a score card showing impact of strategies towards student, staff, and family outcomes.