School Board Meeting Recap: Oct. 10, 2024
- 2024-2025
The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 10, 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 action 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.
Works in Progress
Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick shared highlights and updates from throughout the district, including:
- The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) recently issued a management decision letter about a finding by the state auditor’s finding related to the Electronic Connectivity Fund and the 2021-2022 grant year; and the district’s internal controls and documentation. The district did not concur with the audit finding at the time.
- The FCC earlier this month said in its management decision letter that the district did calculate its actual unmet need for eligible equipment using surveys, and they found that the district complied with program rules and considers the matter resolved.
- “We are pleased that the FCC has validated the district’s assertion that our processes were in place, and adequate to meet the requirements of the grant,” Tow-Yick noted. In my mind ... we met the needs of our kids during a global pandemic to get them computers and wireless access to ensure they could learn.”
- Insights from a recent meeting with the Puget Sound Educational Service District and State Superintendent Chris Reykdal.
- Tow-Yick and Dr. Harlan Gallinger had the opportunity to visit the Lindsay Unified School District in California, hosted by the League of Innovative Schools, with other superintendents and district leaders from across the country. She shared some of the takeaways from the visit.
To hear the superintendent’s report of works in progress, visit our YouTube Channel.
Recap of Work Study Session and Diversity of Community Discussion
The School Board members shared reflections about a work study session they participated in just before the regular session, about the diversity of our students and community, and how the district
Board President Gallinger first noted that the board received hundreds of emails, as well as public comment about the message they sent on October 3.
There was no intention by any board statement to be dismissive or one-sided, Gallinger said. He noted that in one of the emails they received this comment that the board members wanted to recognize:
"We also recognize the profound loss of lives in Gaza and the immense impact the ongoing conflict has had on all communities,” Gallinger said, quoting from the email.
“We firmly believe that. This is not about one moment or one point. We know that there is so much trauma ongoing ... We recognize that and acknowledge that, and its impact is significant. We want to ensure the community knows that this is not lost on us,” Gallinger added.
The board wants to begin a broader conversation with the community to create a framework for better recognizing student, staff, families and community voices, perspectives and lived experiences into work throughout the district, from curriculum to Food Services to communication and beyond.
“We want to lean into that work,” Gallinger said, noting that the School Board has long been committed to the work of equity, and that they want to continue to move that work further.
To that end, the board created a subcommittee to help determine next steps.
The full discussion is available on our YouTube Channel.
Introduction of Sustainability Operational Expectation 17
A group of students approached the district as sustainability ambassadors, asking the School Board to consider adding a policy about sustainability. The students later attended the fall Board Retreat, worked with two former School Board members, consulted with a couple of district staff members and helped draft a new proposed policy for the board to consider.
Students who worked to help create the sustainability operational expectation spoke to the board members, who asked several questions and thanked the students for their work and ideas.
To watch the presentation and discussion of the proposed sustainability OE, visit our YouTube Channel.
Update about the 2024 School Modernization & Construction Bond
Superintendent Tow-Yick mentioned that the district staff have had the opportunity to share facts about the bond with all school buildings and many of the departments and teams across the district. She also said she received the district’s informational mailer about the 2024 bond at her house. The mailer was sent to all residents of the district, and includes basic facts about the bond and links to the district’s bond website.
Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Turney updated the board about other items related to the bond measure, including:
- The district has videos sharing facts and information about the proposed bond measure posted to the bond website.
- The district had the opportunity to participate in Salmon Days, with a school bus in the parade featuring banners about employment and the bond measure.
- King County Elections will mail ballots to all registered voters in the district on October 16.
To listen to the full update about the bond measure, visit our YouTube Channel.
Secondary Innovation Update
Julia Bamba, Principal on Special Assignment, talked with the board about the district’s work in the realm of innovation, and shared a presentation.
Bamba talked about a pilot microschool at Issaquah High School, which has received grant funding; an advisory and social-emotional learning pilot with volunteer teachers; and updates about career preparation.
For the full update and discussion about secondary innovation, visit our YouTube Channel.
Monitoring Report for Operational Expectation 2 (O.E. 2), Treatment of People
Chief of Academics and Student Success Dana Bailey presented the monitoring report for board review.
The board members discussed the monitoring report, then voted unanimously to approve it.
To listen to the full discussion of OE 2, visit our YouTube Channel.
Second Reading of Operational Expectation 10 (O.E. 10), Regarding Structure of Schools
The School Board had a second reading of proposed changes to O.E. 10, discussed the updates, then voted to approve the updates to O.E. 10.
To listen to the approval of OE 10, visit our YouTube Channel.
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