Board Vice President Fisher shared that Director Ben Stouffer would be arriving late due to a work conflict, and that Board President Tyson Gamblin absence was excused. 

Board Vice President Paul Fisher led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 

 Board Director Scott Mason read the following statement, We acknowledge we are gathered upon the ancestral lands of the Seattle area's Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, who historically lived throughout the areas between the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sounds, what is also known as the Salish Sea. 

The Board of Directors shared the following in the good news of the district:

• The ground breaking ceremony for Evergreen Elementary was extremely impressive. Appreciation was offered to the cabinet members for their work in creating such a great community day.
• Graduation in June was a great celebration for the community. It's always a highlight of the year.
• Welcome to our new superintendent, Dr. Mark Wenzel. 

Dr. Mark Wenzel shared the following in the Superintendent's Report: 

• Under my Entry Plan, my main goal is to listen, learn, and build relationships. This has included more than 50 meetings connecting with the leadership team, area superintendents, both city mayors, the Muckleshoot Tribal leadership, district staff, and a variety of community members. I have learned that relationships are very important to people in this community and that there is great historical pride in Enumclaw and Black Diamond. Looking ahead, there is a strong desire for coherence and strategic vision. I am excited about the rich history of the district and looking forward to aligning direction moving forward. 
• There are four applications for the student representative position. An Executive Session will be held on August 17 at 5pm (a light dinner will be served) to interview these students. This is an amazing leadership opportunity for students.
• The staff kickoff will be held on August 20 at 8:00 a.m. at EHS.  Board Directors are invited to attend and be recognized for your work in the district.  
• We plan to incorporate historical representation at Evergreen Elementary. We will have a team working with members from the Black Diamond Historical Museum to create a vision. If any board members are interested in being a part of this team, they are welcome to join.  
• Cabinet and District Leadership Team retreats are scheduled for next week. We will examine student data and create School Improvement Plans focused on student learning. 
• Dr. Scott Tatum, new Director of Secondary Education, will join us on August 3. 

Director of Elementary Education Lindsey Marquardt presented the 2025-26 student achievement data to the Board of Directors. She explained that the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) focus on academic rigor rather than recall and evaluate students across four core "claims" per subject. Ms. Marquardt shared assessment problem examples, highlighting that students must demonstrate critical thinking and explain their work rather than simply selecting multiple-choice answers. 

Ms. Marquardt shared SBA data results for the district and Washington state for Math and ELA from 2025-26 along with results from past years. STAR math and reading data were also shared, as well as preschool data and measures. She spoke to district strengths in ELA with consistent and steady grade level improvements.  Math scores were identified as an area for growth. Ms. Marquardt noted that addressing math performance is a top priority that will receive focused attention. She concluded by stating that ongoing data analysis will guide the leadership team in aligning instructional practices to maximize student academic growth. 

Superintendent Wenzel informed the Board that the leadership team has developed a demographically similar cohort of eight WA state school districts. This cohort will serve as a benchmark for more equitable data analysis. District Improvement Plan goals were shared including math, ELA, attendance, graduation rate, and the successful opening of Evergreen Elementary in August 2027. 

The Board asked clarifying questions concerning student data and the approach of school-based data discussions.  

Ryan Ota, Consertus Project Manager, presented an update on the Evergreen Elementary School project. Mr. Ota reported that the ground breaking ceremony was very successful. He confirmed that construction was slightly ahead of schedule. He emphasized these milestones were achieved primarily due to the strong partnerships between the city, the district, and the progressive design build partners. 

Design and Permitting Status

The project continues to move forward smoothly. 

• The early foundation permit was issued ahead of schedule. 
• The building permit was submitted on July 21, 2026. 
• Recent cost checks confirmed the budget is tracking under $5,000 under the original target.
• Savings have been invested in an upgrade to the building's windows. 

Construction Progress

• Foundations framework is ahead of schedule
• Site grading is ahead of schedule
• Walls will go up in September. 

Next steps include finalizing the design pricing set by August 7. The Board has a resolution on today's agenda for their action for the GMP 02 and Authorization to Execute GMP 02 Amendment. Anticipated upcoming board actions will be in September with two resolutions.  

Director Ben Stouffer offered appreciation for the good job of staying on schedule and on budget. He asked if there were additional ideas for betterments.  Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Engebretsen responded that the current list has about 15 items including a curtain divider for the gym and upgraded lighting in the main entrance and parking lot.  

Nancy Merrill distributed an information flyer concerning a proposed mine in the Cumberland area. She stated that the area is over two and a half square miles and that it would generate 668 large trucks operating almost around the clock. She shared significant safety concerns on the surrounding roads with students waiting for and getting off school buses. She offered that King County has had the mine proposal for three years and only recently gave the community a 30-day window to submit comments regarding school safety and the environmental impact. Ms. Merrill asked the Board to view the "Defend Cumberland" website for additional information concerning the massive impact to the community. She requested members of the Board contact the county to request an extension for community comments and also requested Dr. Wenzel submit a letter to the county addressing the specific impacts on local roads and safety. 

Board Director Scott Mason added that the current plan has no requirement for the developer to maintain the roads. 

Board Vice President Paul Fisher administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Mark Wenzel, officially instating him as the Superintendent of the Enumclaw School District.  

Director of Business Kyle Fletcher summarized the short-term financing agreement for the Board of Directors. He stated that the land sale to Oakpointe will come into full effect when the building permit for Evergreen Elementary is issued. The agreement is for Oakpointe to fund money for the project to bridge the time until the building permit is approved.

Director of Business Kyle Fletcher presented a budget update for the 2026-27 school year to the Board of Directors. Mr. Fletcher noted how the district's Five Commitments actively guide the budget development. 

Mr. Fletcher shared the timeline of the budget process with the Board. This workflow includes student enrollment projections, building level budget communications, staff training utilizing the new Qmlative system, preliminary review and expense forecasting, with a submission to the Educational Service District (ESD) for their review and input. The formal public budget hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 17.  Board approval of the budget authorizes the District's expenditure authority related to the five primary funds: General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Debt Service Fund, Associated Student Body (ASB) Fund, and Transportation Vehicle Fund. 

Mr. Fletcher shared the district's enrollment history along with projections for 2026-27. He explained legislative and funding updates for 2026-27. He informed the Board of reduced state funding for the Transition to Kindergarten (TTK) program, and that there are no significant changes in funding models for salaries, special education, and CTE. The K-3 funding does rely on strict compliance to the 1:17 teacher to student ratio.  To support student needs, the district's Student Support Services team does an exceptional job writing grants targeting more than $1 million in State Safety Net funds. Mr. Fletcher informed the Board that there are approximately 130 students enrolled in Running Start. He stated that the business office actively monitors this enrollment for its impact on resource allocation.

Mr. Fletcher presented operational costs and stated the increases are due to insurance and utilities. The risk pool insurance premiums will increase by 38% this year.  The state is extending the bus depreciation schedule. The district continues to balance costs to upkeep and repair aging facilities. With Evergreen Elementary opening in August 2027, there will be added operational and staffing costs. The general fund balance has increased by 5.7% since 2022-23 due to increased enrollment and fiscally responsible practices. 

Mr. Fletcher informed the Board of the future labor negotiations with the Public School Employees (PSE) collective bargaining unit beginning in Spring 2027 and the Enumclaw Education Association (EEA) in Spring 2028. 

The Board of Directors asked clarifying questions concerning student attendance at Evergreen Elementary, transportation, and the Birth to Five Center. 

Superintendent Wenzel stated that public school enrollment is declining in three quarters of United States districts and that the ESD's growth is something to celebrate.  He commended the Business Office team and the Board of Directors for their strong fiscal management. 

Director of Business Kyle Fletcher submitted the Financial Report to the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting.  

The Board of Directors thanks Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Marquardt for their thorough presentations.