School Board Meeting Summary

Wenatchee School District

School BoardMeeting SummaryWenatchee School District

November 12, 2019 - Regular Meeting

The Wenatchee School Board will now provide a "Board Meeting Summary Briefing" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations and action items.

For the full packet of information including presentations and reports, Click Here.


Meetings are video streamed live online and the videos are archived on the District website here. Meetings prior to August 2019 are archived in calendar format here.

Regular Meeting

Attendance: Sunny Hemphill, President, Laura Jaecks, Vice President, Dr. Karina Vega-Villa, Sarah Knox (phone), Dr. Michele Sandberg


Sarah Knox announced that she would be stepping down from her position on the board. Ms. Knox accepted a position in the Seattle area and has relocated.


AGENDA APPROVAL Watch
Approved


CONSENT AGENDA Watch
Minutes
Vouchers/Payroll
Personnel Report
Surplus Report
Contracts
Policy Updates - 2nd Read
Pipkin Construction Change Order
DOH Amendment #5


CITIZENS' COMMENTS Watch
There were no citizens' comments

ASB REPORTS Watch

Wenatchee High School ASB representative Kelly Norlin shared an update on fundraising events and activities at the school.


SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Watch

Recognition Watch
Alfonso Lopez, Lewis & Clark Elementary Principal
AWSP Elementary Principal of the Year

Mr. Lopez shared his experiences as an educator, most recently traveling to DC with delegates from across the country as Washington State’s Elementary Principal of the Year. Lopez, who started his career as a teacher in Mexico, will use his platform as principal of the year to advocate and help others around the state and nation develop dual-language programs in an effort to create ‘world citizens’. Mr. Lopez will be traveling to New Mexico to present at one of the largest dual-language conferences in the country.

Superintendent Gordon thanked Mr. Lopez for his work and for creating a space where students are cared for and can. Dr. Vega-Villa expressed gratitude for Mr. Lopez’s work at Lewis and Clark Elementary and shared that her own child had benefitted from this dual-language education at Lewis & Clark.


Community Conversations Facilities Summary Watch
Diana Haglund, Director of Communications

Ms. Haglund provided a summary report of the two community conversations that were held in October on the topic of school facilities. The feedback collected at these conversations indicates that stakeholders want school facilities to match our community values and more accurately represent the quality instruction happening inside. Attendees cited aging infrastructure, overcrowding, classroom size, lack of instructional teaching spaces, physical learning environment, school safety and the addition of portable classrooms as areas of greatest concern across the district. While it was recognized that facility challenges exist, it was also noted that attendees felt school staff was providing high levels of learning and that District has maintained facilities well.

In terms of a future-ready school, attendees indicated they envisioned flexible and adaptable learning spaces and architecture that supports changing instructional practices, technology, personalized, project-based and experiential learning. A future school would incorporate nature and light in its design and provide a comfortable classroom learning environment free of distractions.

DISCUSSION Watch

Policy Updates - 1st Read Watch
Dr. Sandberg and Ms. Jaecks brought forward the Evaluation and Career and Technical Education and Tuition policies. These policies will be listed under the consent agenda for approval at the next meeting

ACTION ITEMS Watch
Larry Mayfield, Executive Director of Operations and Finance
Gregg Herkenrath, Director of Facilities and Capital Projects

Electrical Bid for Transportation Block Heater Stations Watch
The bid was approved

BOARD COMMUNICATION Watch
The board accepted the resignation of Ms. Knox from her seat on the board effective Wednesday, November 13. Ms. Knox expressed her appreciation for being part of the board and is disappointed she is not going to be part of the work ahead. Superintendent Gordon thanked Sarah for her service. The board thanked Sarah for her thoughtfulness and efforts to move the district forward.

Dr. Vega-Villa thanked the community for being able to serve for the last 10 months. She expressed appreciation for the hard work that has been done and the efforts that were made to unite the board. She stated that is hopeful we are moving the needle to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion into our district. Dr. Vega-Villa will continue to serve and connect students to the resources they need to succeed both personally and professionally.

Ms. Hemphill also thanked the board, teachers, and staff for all they do. She recognized the important role that education has in preparing children for the future and expressed high expectations for the district’s work ahead.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT Watch
Dr. Gordon shared an appreciation for Dr. Vega-Villa, Ms. Hemphill and Ms. Knox as they transition off the board. He expressed sincere gratitude for the board in its current configuration for hiring him as superintendent and for their faith in him to lead the district.

The process for filling Sarah’s vacant seat was reviewed:

  • A news release will go out with the announcement

  • Citizens within the Wenatchee School District Boundry can apply

  • Applications will be made available on the website

  • Interviews will take place in an open meeting

  • The new board will discuss the timeline for appointment of the position at the November 26 board meeting

Dr. Gordon would also like to begin discussions with the incoming board about moving away from At-large board positions and transitioning to “districting” of board seats to help create equitable representation.

ADJOURNMENT

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Tuesday, November 26, 2019
New Board Member Reception I WSD Central Office I 5:30 p.m.
New Board Member Swearing-in, Regular Board Meeting I WSD Central Office I 6:00 p.m.


Tuesday, December 10, 2019 | Regular Board Meeting I WSD Central Office I 6:00 p.m.