Board Meeting Recaps

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 7, at the Issaquah School District Administration Building. The meeting was open to the public and broadcast live on the district’s YouTube channel, where a recording of the meeting is available. This recap highlights selected topics of discussion and board actions. It is not an official record of the meeting. Official minutes can be found on the district’s board meeting archive webpage, and additional information about future meetings is available on the School Board page. 

 

New Art Unveiled for Kateri D. Brow Art Collection

Four new pieces of student art were unveiled and added to the Kateri D. Brow Memorial Student Art collection.  

• "Together We Belong", by Navya J., 4th grade, Briarwood Elementary School 
• "I Belong," by Nathan K., 7th grade, Pacific Cascade Middle School 
• "The Garden of Belonging," by Mahathi R., 9th grade, Issaquah High School 
• "Nature's Embrace" by Emma S., 11th grade, Liberty High School  

 

Recap of Recent School Board Engagements: 

• School Board Listening Sessions: Members of the School Board provided an update about listening sessions that board members hosted to hear from students at the three comprehensive high schools in March and April. Board directors shared their thoughts about what they heard from students and a desire to increase future participation.
• City of Issaquah and ISD Joint Leadership Meeting: Members of the School Board and district administrators met with the Issaquah Mayor, City Council members and city staff leaders on April 27. School Board members shared their reflections about the topics of conversation, including light rail, projected population growth, an update on the New High School, and future collaboration and partnership opportunities. 
• Washington State School Directors’ Association Area 2 Regional Meeting: Board members attended the regional meeting. They shared that they appreciated the opportunity to talk with board members from other districts, exchange ideas and discuss community engagement, working with legislators and other topics. 
• Work study session about the New High School: Board members met with district staff before the regular session to discuss the New High School. No action was taken. Board Member Sydne Mullings said she is excited about the plan and the next phase of planning about student interest, data, career path information, and high-value, high-interest and high-earning programs. Board President A.J. Tayor said he looks forward to staff introducing the programs at the middle school level to share what will be offered at the New High School; and engaging with community members to gather input. 
• Joint Special Meeting: Board members and district staff met with members of the Issaquah PTSA Council leadership before the regular session to discuss topics including volunteering; more than $1 million in teacher grants, classroom materials and events; and more. Board members shared their reflections and a note that our schools are better with family and community members volunteering; and shared a plea for more volunteers to spend time in the buildings. 

 

Works in Progress 

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick shared highlights and updates from throughout the district, including: 

• Canvas system outage: The company that operates Canvas, Instructure, experienced a cybersecurity incident that caused a Canvas outage for Issaquah and many other school districts and colleges across the nation beginning on Thursday, May 7. The outage was resolved on May 8. 
• Calendar: Superintendent Tow-Yick shared the calendar of district, education, heritage and cultural events for May. 
• Teacher Appreciation Week was May 4-8, and Superintendent Tow-Yick thanked our educators for their incredible work all year long; and our families and parent-teacher groups for recognizing teachers and staff. 
• This week the State Board of Education and OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) announced 10 of our schools were recognized for growth.  
• Staff continue work to build the budget for the 2026-27 school year. “We are committed to protecting high quality instruction and student supports in every decision we make,” Tow-Yick said. District leaders are working to align staffing and resources with enrollment, thinking differently about how to do the work as efficiently as possible.  
• Our Transportation Team was recognized for a second year running for “exceptional results” in the recent Washington State Patrol inspection of our school bus fleet. Tow-Yick recognized the whole department and, in particular, the mechanics. 
• Audit: The Washington State Auditor’s Office completed its regular review and issued a clean audit report. We will share additional details soon. 

 

Budget Extension 

District staff proposed a budget extension as part of the process for the bond refunding discussed at the March 26 board meeting. This helps reduce the debt service tax burden over time and may result in an estimated total savings of $17.6 million.  

Board Member Mullings said she prepared for this conversation by reviewing the district’s Annual Budget Guide, which helps explain the district budget process and details the types of funds including the debt service fund. 

Board members voted to approve the budget extension resolution. 

 

Strategic Plan Update for Priority Area 5, Organizational Effectiveness 

Marcel Hauser, Senior Adviser and Strategy, and Martin Turney, Chief of Finance and Operations, shared an update about Strategic Plan Priority Area 5 regarding Organizational Effectiveness. This priority area includes two goals, one about continuous improvement practices and a second about equity-based budgeting. 

Board members asked questions and discussed the update. They also shared their gratitude for the work in the Strategic Plan and their excitement for the refreshed plan that is underway now.