Chris Beals, the Naming Committee Leader, introduced himself to the Board and shared that he was honored to help facilitate the process with the naming committee and make a recommendation to the board for the district's elementary school #6. He shared that many committee members were in attendance including Jared Porter, Natalie Waters, Derrek Tulluck, and Corey Cook. 

He also introduced Bill Kombol and Sherrie Evans. Mr. Kombol and Ms. Evans are both graduates of Enumclaw High School and both serve at the Black Diamond History Museum. They shared that Black Diamond was founded in 1885 as a propserous mining town and other interesting, historical facts with the committee members.  Mr. Beals shared his appreciation for their great partnership with the committee.  

Mr. Beals shared that the committee's work represents board policy 6970 that included receiving broad input from the community as their first step in the process. There were over 200 submissions from this input.  The committee utilized five filters with the name/mascot recommendations which were cohesive community, future-minded, native peoples/nature, name identity and kid-friendly. The committee narrowed suggestions with additional filters in mind such as nearby schools with duplicate names. The submissions were narrowed down to 25 school names and mascots.  These names were then sent to Ten Trails families for their votes and the committee received 270 responses from this second survey.  Committee members then created a rubrics with the filters to narrow down the second list of names.  

Committee members Jared Porter, Natalie Waters, and Derrek Tulluck shared the top recommendations with the Board in the following order:

1. Evergreen Elementary 
2. Ten Trails Elementary 
3. Northwood Elementary 

Committee member Corrie Cook shared that the mascot name name recommended for all school names is Trailblazers. Elk was a popular mascot name and the committee suggested an elk incorporated into the mascot similar to Franklin the Fox portrayed as a miner at Black Diamond Elementary.  

Mr. Beals summarized the committee's work with a strong, broad community engagement, partnership with the Black Diamond Historical Museum for accurate historical and local information, thoughtful and intentional filter recommendations.  He believes the Board has been presented three well-grounded options to consider for naming elementary school #6. 

Board Vice President Paul Fisher thanked the committee for their great work in engaging the community and the time spent on an important project. Superintendent Burnes thanked Mr. Beals for leading this committee and thanked committee members for their active roles. 

The Board will consider the options presented and vote on the elementary school name at the regular Board meeting scheduled on Monday, May 18th.  

The Board of Directors discussed Board Operating Principles at the April Board/Cabinet Retreat. Directors Tara Cochran and Paul Fisher created a draft with the input received at the April meeting. Board President Tyson Gamblin submitted edits for consideration. The Board received Operating Principles from other districts to review and consider. The Board Operating Principles will be created and added as a new policy in the 1000 series, The Board of Directors. 

The Board discussed and shared input for additional edits. A new draft will be shared with the Board and prepared for a policy first reading at the May 18th meeting.  

Superintendent Jill Burnes shared superintendent contract information and model contract language received from WASA for the Board to consider when creating a contract for the new superintendent. 

The Board discussed the language presented.  Notes were made for updates to the residency and evaluation sections. Superintendent Burnes will contact WASA and WSSDA to request additional sample language concerning an allowance for professional mentor and an allowance for relocation expenses. The Board will gather and review Superintendent salaries in surrounding districts. The district's attorney will receive the contract language from the board and finalize the contract with the information provided. 

Superintendent Burnes summarized for the Board the process of scheduling Board meetings and work studies that included school presentations, department presentations and visiting school sites.  The rotation for the schedule is created with the goal of the Board attending a meeting at a school site at least once every two years and hearing from all district departments at least once every two years. 

The Board agreed that holding meetings at school sites was a practice they would like to continue and they also wanted to continue with the schedule of school and department presentations. Director Cochran added that she would like a highlight from Teaching and Learning included every month and that she would like the Board to consider additional celebrations that include recognizing groups of students and honoring staff. Superintendent Jill Burnes will give this information to the new superintendent to create the schedule in partnership with the Board President. 

Superintendent Burnes shared with the Board of Directors the newly released information from Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF) that included three district schools being recognized for growth. The schools recognized are Thunder Mountain Middle School, Sunrise Elementary, and Westwood Elementary.  This is the third year in a row of recognition for Westwood Elementary. The principals will share this news with their staff this week and the schools will receive a banner to hang at their buildings.