School Board Meeting Recap: Sept. 26, 2024

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26, 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 from throughout the district, including: 

• Congratulations to Clark Elementary School, which was awarded silver in the recent Seattle Times “Best in the PNW” contest. 
• More information about the 2024 School Modernization and Construction Bond will be shared in the bond update. Tow-Yick highlighted the recent information presentations for staff meetings; and presentations about the bond by School Board members at PTA and PTSA meetings throughout the district. 
• Today, Tow-Yick had the opportunity to meet with student leaders and hear their questions and thoughts about the proposed bond measure. 
• Theater manager positions were increased to full time this year, and protocols and guidelines are being updated to allow facilities rentals of our theater spaces. This is a return to a former practice and will begin Oct. 1. 
• Our VOICE Mentor program is the largest school mentor program in Washington state. More than 600 students are expected to participate this school year, and we have 60 new mentors. Altogether, our mentors speak more than 22 languages. 
• We have made some updates to our district’s High School and Beyond Process. 
• This year we are bargaining six out of eight contracts with our union partners. We will be continuing to establish bargaining times with our bargaining units. 
• Tow-Yick addressed the fact that one year ago, Hamas attacked Israel. We do not tolerate hate speech or incivility. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. If any student feels unsafe or uncomfortable, they are asked to report it to a trusted adult. We will follow up on reports. 

For the full works in progress report, visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Safety and Security Update 

Executive Director of Operations Jason Morse and Director of Safety and Security Dave Montalvo provided a regular update to the School Board. 

The update included information about our Security Officer team, officer training, partnerships with local and national first responders and law enforcement, projects underway, reporting methods, future projects and more. 

Board members thanked the Safety and Security team for their work throughout the year and throughout our district. 

To listen to the full Safety and Security update, visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Bond Update 

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick and Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Turney shared updates about the 2024 School Modernization and Construction Bond including: 

• Information about the bond is being shared at meetings with PTSA and community groups and staff groups. 
• Signs that link to facts about the bond are being placed in the district. 
• The bond website and common questions section are being updated to reflect additional questions that we have received. 
• Video and newsletter (bulletin) updates with facts about the bond measure are being shared at the building and district level. 
• The school district will share facts about hiring, the Strategic Plan and the proposed bond measure during the Salmon Days Festival. 
• Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters from King County Elections in mid-October. 

To listen to the full update about the proposed bond measure, visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Capital Projects Update 

Director of Capital Projects Tom Mullins shared a regular monthly update with the School Board, including: 

• An update about recently completed 2018 Critical Repairs Levy projects: 
  • Painting at Challenger Elementary School. 
  • Briarwood Elementary School gutter repairs. 
  • Beaver Lake Middle School fire alarm replacement. 
  • Maple Hills fire alarm replacement. 
  • Maple Hills DAS (first responder communications) installation. 

Projects in process from the 2018 Levy include playground rubber matting at Maple Hills; air conditioning at the Transportation Center; miscellaneous repairs at Challenger Elementary; HVAC repairs at Endeavour Elementary; miscellaneous repairs at Endeavour; and miscellaneous repairs at Sunset Elementary. 

• 2022 Levy Projects (funds from the 2022 Capital Levy repurposed for more immediate projects by the School Board) in process: 
  • Land for Early Learning space in the South End. 
  • Land for Transportation. 
  • Vestibules at the three comprehensive high schools. 
  • Fire alarm system replacements and upgrades. 

For the full Capital Projects update and discussion, visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Board Policy Update: First Reading of Operational Expectation 10 Regarding Structure of Schools  

As part of the board’s work to update School Board policies, the directors discussed proposed changes to Operational Expectation 10 (O.E. 10). 

This O.E. will move to a second reading at a future meeting.  

For the full discussion including public comment, visit our YouTube Channel. 

 

Board Policy Update: Second Reading of Board Policy Updates 

As part of the board’s work to update School Board policies, the directors discussed changes to board policies. At the board’s last meeting, directors began a discussion of updates to board policy, and listened to public comment. The proposed updates include: 

• GC-12 Student Representatives.  
• OE-1 Global Operational Expectation. 
• OE-2 Treatment of People. 
• OE-3 Personnel Administration.  
• OE-11 Discipline.  
• OE-12 Learning Environment.   
• OE-14 Instructional Program.  
• OE-15 Technology.  
• R-2 Academics.   
• R-3 Civic Engagement. 

The board moved all of the policy updates except for OE 14 to the consent agenda for an upcoming meeting. 

Board members shared a variety of the feedback and comments they have heard from teachers, staff, students and community members. Directors and Student Representatives to the School Board had a lengthy discussion. 

For the full discussion and public comments, visit our YouTube Channel.