Board Meeting Recaps

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 13, 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.

 

Recap of Town Hall Meetings

Members of the board provided an update on the Town Hall meetings, which they hosted on October 27 and 28. The meetings were designed to gather input about the district’s Portrait of a Graduate, and also general feedback. Directors shared that they heard common themes such as youth mental health and cell phone use, and also concerns from staff about several topics. They said they were pleased with the number of community members who attended and grateful for the opinions and information shared by those who attended.

 

Reflections About Board President Maraldo’s Service

Board President Marnie Maraldo shared her thoughts about her 16 years of service as a school board member. She has served with 10 school board members, on many issues and topics through the years, including discipline data, equity, Universal Design for Learning, gifted program work, No Child Left Behind, advocating for additional funding for special education, implementing the program for Student Representatives to the School Board.

Other board members and the superintendent thanked Maraldo for her service, describing her as a fierce advocate at the state and federal levels; full of persistence and a great mentor; generous with her time; a steading presence on the board; and a director who has had a great impact on students.

 

Works in Progress

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick updated the board on various projects and activities

From throughout the district, including:

• Congratulations to Issaquah High School girls cross country team for winning the 4A State Championship.
• Her recent school visits have included the microschool program pilot at Pine Lake, orchestra at Pacific Cascade, and elementary schools where she saw students and staff preparing for parent-teacher conferences.
• Upcoming events include a virtual Finance Information Session on Tuesday, November 18; and a Family Partnership event about Post High School Financial Aid information on November 17.
• For the 17th consecutive year, the Issaquah School Board was honored as a Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors Association. Good governance equals positive outcomes for kids, she noted.

 

Portrait of a Graduate Work Study Recap and Discussion

Directors shared about the discussion they had during a work study session before the regular meeting, regarding the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. Board members shared their thoughts about the draft Portrait of a Graduate, had a discussion and then approved a resolution in support of the Portrait of a Graduate. Before approval, the resolution was modified to use the term “Portrait of a Graduate” rather than “Profile of a Graduate.

 

Operational Expectation 14 (OE-14) Instructional Program Policy Review and Language Revision (Second Read)

The Board had a first reading of a language revision for OE-14 on October 23, 2025. They heard public comment, heard from Student Representatives to the School Board, discussed the revisions to OE-14 (to watch or listen to the conversation with specific information about the revisions, visit our YouTube Channel at this timestamped link).

  

Pro/Con Statement Committee Appointment for February Ballot Propositions

Following adoption of Resolution #1248 by the Issaquah School Board of Directors on October 9, 2025, election regulations require the Issaquah School District to appoint up to three members each to “Pro” and “Con” committees for the proposition, who are willing to write statements for the King County Voter’s Pamphlet. The district shared information with the community, calling for applications that were due in early November.

The Board appointed Wright Noel, Kelly Munn, Neel Dalela to the Pro Committee; and appointed Michelle Williams and Jeff Boardman to the Con Committee for each levy measure.

 

Monitoring Report for Operation Expectation 11 (OE-11) Discipline

Directors heard a presentation about OE-11, heard public comment, received two reports from Student Representatives to the School Board, asked questions of staff, had a lengthy discussion and voted to accept the monitoring report for OE-11.

 

Budget Development Guidelines

Martin Turney, Chief of Finance and Operations and Moriah Banasick, Executive Director of Finance and Budget presented about district finances, projections, budget timeline and the 2026-27 Budget Development Guidelines. Each year, administrators and staff use the board’s development guidelines to help create the district budget for that year. For example, the January 2025 Budget Development Guidelines were used to develop the 2025-26 budget.

Directors discussed the budget and guidelines; the guidelines will come back to the board for formal adoption at a future meeting.

 

Legislative Update

Director Taylor shared information about legislation pertaining to education, including:

•  A recent tour with Washington State Rep. Janice Zahn regarding school funding, levies, bonds, SCAP funding. Rep. Zahn is interested in helping districts lower thresholds for bond votes to 50 or 55% voter approval.
• A Regional Town Hall with 10 school districts is planned for January 7, 2026, with 20-30 legislators invited and an opportunity for our Student Representatives to the School Board to share anecdotes and their experiences.

 

Calendar and Future Agenda Items

The Board reviewed and identified topics for future board meeting agendas, and scheduled special meetings and work sessions, including:

• Upcoming SIP Meetings are planned for: 
  • December 2, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – Skyline feeder pattern
  • December 8, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – Issaquah feeder pattern + Gibson Ek
• Board President Marnie Maraldo’s Farewell Celebration is planned for Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the ISD Administration Center