School Board Recap: May 28, 2026

The Issaquah School Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 28, 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.

 

Works in Progress

Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick shared highlights of events and activities from throughout the district, including:

• New leaders for the next year of the district PTSA Council were confirmed; Golden Acorn volunteers were recognized. The inaugural Bridges of Belonging event will be on Tuesday, June 2, recognizing students. Tow-Yick thanked Laura Ni, who has been president of the district PTSA Council for the past two years, for her partnership.
   
• Students, staff and families across the district are preparing for “clap out” events, graduations and transition ceremonies in June.

 

Update: Student Representative to the School Board Program

Staff and board members thanked the outgoing Student Representatives to the School Board and welcomed the new Student Representatives. Each of the district’s high schools has two student representatives who apply and are selected to serve as volunteers representing their peers. The outgoing representatives include Gibson Ek student Milo Walsh, Issaquah High School student Ava Datta, Liberty student Krish Parashar, and Skyline student Nila Natarajan.

Four new representatives were selected from among more than 60 applicants: Sam Kuehl-Pacheco, Gibson Ek; Pia Sheth, Skyline; Maggie Cleveland, Issaquah High. Returning student representatives include Micah Paio, Gibson Ek; Rex Garner, Issaquah High; Laya Dhilip, Liberty; and Videh Jain, Skyline.

 

Capital Projects Update

Director of Capital Projects Tom Mullins shared a regular update about Capital Projects in the district, including:

• New High School: Work to clear, grade and excavate the site is ongoing.
  • Construction of retaining walls throughout the site is expected to start soon. The Design-Build Team (contractor and architect) continues to work with both the city of Issaquah and the city of Sammamish to obtain remaining permits. Some trees have been removed; and the project includes plans to replant trees and enhance landscaping across the site.
  • The project will significantly improve how stormwater is managed on the site, with advanced systems to treat and improve the quality of runoff and controlled flows. These upgrades will help protect downstream waterways and restore a more natural water balance for the surrounding environment.
     
• 2026 Critical Repairs Levy Planning
  • The first collection from the renewal levy approved in 2026 will happen in 2027. Levy collections begin in spring of 2027 and are received in installments.
  • Staff from Capital Projects, Operations and Facilities departments have organized the approved project list by priority and timing across the four-year levy collection period.
     
• Capital Projects Oversight Committee Recap: The Capital Projects Oversight Committee gathered for a regular meeting on May 12.
  • Staff members shared a presentation highlighting updates related to the New High School project, the status of the 2022 Critical Repairs Levy, and planning for the 2026 Critical Repairs Levy.
  • Committee members asked good questions and shared their thoughts about the projects, financial strategies and more. The next committee meeting is scheduled for September 15.

 

Monitoring Report for Results 4, Life Management and Personal Awareness

District administrators presented a monitoring report for Results 4, Life Management and Personal Awareness for the 2024-25 school year. The report centers on evidence from the Healthy Youth Survey and student exit surveys. In 2025, less than 40% of 12th grade students completed the Healthy Youth Survey, so that data was not included in reporting.

Board members, staff and Student Representatives to the School Board discussed their thoughts and ideas for helping to improve survey participation. Students shared that they and their peers would like to hear more about how survey results are used, and why their feedback matters. The board members, staff and students also talked about the content of surveys and how to continue to improve support for students.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the report.

 

First Reading of Strategic Plan Refresh, Priority Areas and Strategies

In the work study session before the regular meeting, staff members discussed a refreshed Strategic Plan with School Board members. Staff shared a presentation about the Strategic Plan and the work to gather feedback from constituents to inform the refreshed plan.

Senior Adviser and Strategy Marcel Hauser highlighted insights and lessons learned during the past three years of the district’s Strategic Plan. These included a desire to focus on fewer strategies at the right level of scope, a move away from technical to adaptive strategies, a connection to the instructional core, continuing to include equity and engagement in all work, and drawing on best practices to center on authentic community voice.

When considering student, family, staff and administrator feedback about the district, the Strategic Plan refresh considered staff capacity and workload, student behavior and mental health support, family and community partnership, School Improvement Plans, equity, student well-being, and more.

The draft refreshed Strategic Plan includes three priority areas and nine strategies, as well as five commitments to operational expectations and excellence:

• Priority Area 1: Student Well-Being
• Priority Area 2: Learning Opportunities
• Priority Area 3: Trust

The first three strategies cut across both Priority Area 1 and Priority Area 2:

• Strategy 1: Advance a welcoming and positive climate and culture for students of all backgrounds to engage purposefully and productively in school.
• Strategy 2: Implement a multi-tiered system of support that addresses the full range of students’ learning abilities, strengths, identities and styles.
• Strategy 3: Cultivate a sense of hope and joy for learning and provide more room for students to grow and explore passion and interests.

The next two strategies fall within Priority Area 1, Student Well-Being:

• Strategy 4: Continue to build community partnerships to support students and their families to meet basic needs.
• Strategy 5: Promote opportunities for students to find community inside and outside of school.

Priority Area 2, Learning Opportunities, includes Strategy 6: Design learning experiences that support diverse career pathways and develop the durable skills so students are future ready.

Priority Area 3, Trust, includes three strategies:

• Strategy 7: Center on student voice to improve engagement and relevance in learning.
• Strategy 8: Engage staff to improve the student experience and bring forward ideas to deepen belonging.
• Strategy 9: Broaden opportunities for all families and community members across the district to engage and build stronger connections with our schools.

The commitments to operational expectations and excellence are:

1. Support the learning of our staff and diversify our workforce to reflect student and family demographics.
2. Provide superior customer service to our students, staff, families and community.
3. Enhance staff and student understanding and ethical use of emerging technology, including AI.
4. Showcase the stories, strengths, and experiences of our students and staff.
5. Allocate resources effectively and equitably, and use continuous improvement methods.

To see more of the draft refreshed Strategic Plan, see slides 25-28 of the presentation. Information on indicators and metrics is also included. Board members asked questions and shared their feedback on the refreshed document. The board will have a second reading of the refreshed plan during its June 9 meeting, with public comment and possible board action.