School Board Meeting Updates: Jan. 13, 2022 Meeting

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 13 at the Issaquah School District Administration Building. The meeting was broadcast live on the ISD YouTube channel, and a recording of the meeting is available. Below we’re including a summary of the topics the Board and district staff discussed that we believe are of the highest level of community interest, along with relevant 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.

COVID-19 Mitigation Update

Superintendent Ron Thiele updated the School Board on COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Thiele shared that our district remains committed to staying safely open for our students to every extent possible, for as long as possible. The Test to Stay Program (see further details below) has been expanded and is now available for both students and district staff who have not yet been fully vaccinated and/or boosted.  

It was challenging to keep schools open during the first nine days of 2022 due to weather conditions and the surge of the Omicron variant, Thiele said. We are grateful that despite twice the usual number of students and staff being absent on any given day, we continue to have close to a 90% present rate most days.  

Thanks to additional professional development for our staff and surveys conducted indicating families' need for district technology in the fall, the district is prepared to pivot into a remote learning environment if health officials require us to do so at the classroom, building or district level.  

In Board discussion, Director Dr. Gallinger celebrated the good work of all district staff in keeping schools open. He continued by sharing that mitigation is in fact, the most important factor. Director Sydne Mullings shared that some individuals still have questions and/or confusion on the Test to Stay Program. Mullings further shared that the technical and human capital required to update the COVID-19 data dashboard more frequently than once a week is not the best investment of district resources. Rather, ensuring teachers are teaching students and that we are carrying out our mitigation strategies effectively are the most important things to focus on.  

What is the Test to Stay Program?  

Students and staff who are identified as close contacts of a person who tests positive but are not fully vaccinated can test on site as a part of the Test to Stay Program. Officials with the Department of Health (DOH) and Public Health Seattle & King County (PHSKC) have updated their guidance and are recommending that we test twice during the protocol: once immediately and the second test on day 5, 6, or 7 (whichever is the first school day). 

Currently the DOH Test to Stay Program and associated modified quarantine apply to students in the following situations as long as the student or staff member remain asymptomatic and continue to test negative: 

• Students between the ages of 5 and 17 years who have not completed a primary vaccination series. 
• Students ages 18 or older who completed a primary series of recommended vaccine but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible. 
• Students who are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series. 

Once a student has tested negative twice, they are released from the testing protocol. Please note: students participating in the Test to Stay protocol should be masked during days 0-5 and also days 6-10, even if they are taking part in extracurricular activities such as music, sports or theater. 

Eligible students and staff are not required to take part in Test to Stay. If they opt out, they should expect to follow DOH guidelines for quarantine and isolation. 

Listen to the discussion on YouTube and if you have additional questions, review our district’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). 

Superintendent Search Update 

The Board discussed updates to the timeline for the search for a new superintendent.  

• During the Dec. 9, 2021, meeting, the Board directed the district to enter into a contract with the superintendent search firm McPherson & Jacobson.  
• On Jan. 3, 2022, the Board met in a special meeting with representatives from McPherson & Jacobson to discuss the search and timeline. 

The Board discussed final details needed including a salary range and three primary questions to help sort the candidate pool. Board members plan to include one question about an understanding of a policy governance district, and another about the candidates' experience with equity work. 

The Board’s ideal candidate has experience:  

• Leading in a district with enrollment of at least 15,000 students  
• Working in a district with similar diversity and affluence 
• Supporting and developing equity initiatives 
• Managing large construction projects 
• Teaching in a K-12 classroom  
• With federal and state funding systems, including Washington state  
• Representing a school district throughout the community  
• Analyzing and understanding disaggregated data  
• Developing long-range strategic planning  
• Communicating effectively with a community, being known for this  
• Driving a connection with staff  

The Board participated in a full discussion about other characteristics of their ideal candidate and took part in preliminary planning of the upcoming listening sessions.  Listen on our YouTube channel.  

Monitoring Report Ends 2 Academics and Foundations Part 1 

The Administration presented the annual monitoring of Ends 2 Academic and Foundations Part 1. The report states that “We have confidence that students are meeting the targets of E-2 when they navigate our educational system and earn a diploma and affirm their high school experiences have prepared them for a wide range of post-graduate opportunities of their choosing.” Some of the impacts of COVID-19 are evident in the data, Thiele said; however, he noted that we are happy to highlight a 95.6% graduation rate for the class of 2020.  

Thiele said that he is extremely proud of our entire K-12 system, and how it prepares students for post-secondary success. We continue to lead in the region for students who enroll in and attend some form of post-secondary education after graduation. Board action unanimously approved the report.  

Listen to the robust discussion on our YouTube channel.   

Student Input

Issaquah High School seniors Doris Wang, ASB president, and Danielle Levin, ASB vice president, shared that their primary goal is to engage students, which their team has needed to accomplish in a different format this year than usual. Wang noted that they have worked to creatively offer activities that meet current restrictions, and said that Homecoming and Winterfest went relatively well. It has been difficult, but also fun to find new solutions, she said. 

Levin shared that many students have been participating and communicating positively on social media and via other events such as connection weeks, giving back, free hot chocolate and more. Ongoing and upcoming activities include competitions for the DECA program and the Robotics team. She also wanted the Board to know that it has been a bit difficult for students due to teacher absences and the subsequent inconsistency, particularly leading up to finals.  

Hear from our student representatives on our YouTube Channel. 

Works in Progress 

Thiele thanked the Issaquah School District School Board of Directors, reading aloud a proclamation in honor of School Board Recognition Month in January. He extended his thanks to them for volunteering their time and work on behalf of students, staff and our community. Thiele also shared:  

• School has been open!  
• New district and building websites will be unveiled to the public during the last week of January.  
• Levy Development Committee continues to meet in preparation for the April ballot; two scheduled committee meetings remain. If the committee does not need additional time to discuss the Capital Levy proposal, Superintendent Thiele will make his presentation to the Board at its Jan. 27 meeting. 
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 17; schools are closed in observance. 

The Works in Progress update is available on our YouTube channel. 

Legislative Matters 

In this standing opportunity to discuss educational legislation, Director Marnie Maraldo mentioned House Bill (HB) 1759; as well as touching on funding for school counselors and the distribution of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Listen to this segment on our YouTube Channel.