Superintendent Mark Wenzel welcomed the representatives from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, City of Black Diamond and City of Enumclaw to the community partners meeting. He led the attendees in opening activity to promote community connection. 

Enumclaw Mayor Anthony Wright provided an update on the initiatives and projects in the city of Enumclaw:

• The city received a $100,000 grant from King County dedicated to upgrading the exterior frontage of City Hall and improving ADA accessibility. 
• A historic style clock is being added downtown and a bicycle shelter is being added for parking and locking bicycles.  
• City staff are actively preparing the city budget. The preliminary budget is scheduled to be presented to the City Council in October, with the administration aiming for official ratification in November. 
• Plans are moving forward to install event-specific gates on Cole Street to better facilitate and secure downtown community gatherings. 
• Looking ahead to 2027, the city is partnering with the school district on a joint paving project. The infrastructure work will target the driveway and parking areas surrounding the community pool.  

Black Diamond Mayor John Adler provided an update on the ongoing growth, initiatives, and partnerships shaping the Black Diamond community:

• Commercial developments include a Safeway grocery store, a car wash, Key Bank branch, The Goddard School, and "The Commons," a space for hosting daily food trucks. 
• The Evergreen Elementary School represents a strong regional partnership with developers and the Enumclaw School District. 
• To relieve traffic congestion on Roberts Drive, a new project on Pipeline Road between 169 and Ten Trails Parkway is planned. The project developer is committed to begin construction as soon as the permits are approved.
• The city's strategic plan focuses on financial stability, infrastructure development, transportation, public safety, responsible growth, economic vitality, and long-term investments in community quality of life. 
• City staff were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication. Appreciation was expressed for the team, stating the city's ongoing success is a result of having the right people in the right place doing the right things. 
• Black Diamond and Enumclaw share families, roadways, and businesses, and Mayor Adler reaffirmed a commitment to cooperative, mutual planning to benefit both communities.  
• Voters have approved a measure to annex the city's fire service into Puget Sound Fire (PSFA), which will take effect at the end of 2027. 

Dr. Cathy Calvert, Assistant Tribal Education Officer for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, shared that she is a direct descendant of Chief Konasket. She highlighted her deep generational roots within the school community, noting family members who founded the district's Native American Education program. She shared that her children are EHS graduates and her grandchildren attend Sunrise Elementary. She emphasized the long-standing, reciprocal partnership with the district that includes the shared use of facilities, and the Tribe looks forward to continued future cooperation.

Muckleshoot Tribal Education highlights shared by Dr. Calvert included:

• There are currently 1,321 tribal members under the age of 18 and the early childhood program serves 440 children. Current enrollment at the tribal school is 468 students. 
• The tribal school participates in an Outdoor Education Program with grants funded by the Sound of Mountain program and Crystal Mountain. Third, fifth and eighth grade students participate in outdoor programs utilizing a mountain yurt as a classroom. This program allows students to learn about traditional pathways and participate in winter sports. 
• Utilizing a grant from OSPI, a new building project is underway to construct a traditional ecological building for outdoor classroom space dedicated to teaching students traditional hunting and gathering practices. 
• The Muckleshoot Tribal College recently celebrated 139 graduates. They earned college degrees, vocational degrees, or professional certificates. The college maintains strong partnerships with other education institutions, and courses are open to community members in Black Diamond and Enumclaw. 
• The College and Career Educational Opportunity Program allows youth ages 14 and older to gain experience by working with tribal members after school and during the summer. 

Superintendent Mark Wenzel opened his presentation by sharing a story from the book, The Boys in the Boat, highlighting the University of Washington crew team who represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics and won a gold medal. He noted that this story has been foundational for the district this year symbolizing the alignment, synchronicity, and belief required to move an organization forward. Because of this, the district's theme for the year is Rowing Together. 

Dr. Wenzel reviewed the District's Five Commitments, highlighting student well-being, literacy by grade 3, algebraic reasoning by grade 9, on-track for graduation by grade 9, and graduating with a plan and a pathway. The commitments serve as anchors and are now formalized within the District Improvement Plan, allowing staff members to feel connected to a larger shared vision. He emphasized that while the district has a rich history, the focus to close gaps to ensure all students are successful is the highest priority. This includes ongoing professional learning for teachers, deeper collaboration,  and the implementation of new curriculum. 

Dr. Wenzel reported that state-level funding remains challenging with more unfunded school mandates and state predictions of decreasing enrollment in public schools and an increase in special education needs. 

Superintendent Wenzel provided an update on the building of Evergreen Elementary in Black Diamond. He shared that construction is on-time and on-budget, with the final contract amount being approved by the Board this week. 

Superintendent Wenzel concluded by expressing his appreciation for the district's partnerships and community connections.  

ESD Board President Tyson Gamblin shared that he has served on the Board for ten years, and that this meeting has been held for at least seven years. He shared that he deeply values this time together and the opportunity to get to know one another. He extended his sincere thanks to everyone for their hard work and contributions to their communities.