Student Representative Preston Bauer was in attendance. An absence was excused for Student Representative Elliott Cheney to attend the EHS homecoming coronation. 

Board President Gamblin led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

Board President Gamblin 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. 

Director Cochran visited the Birth to Five Center and shared positive feedback highlighting an excellent tour. She noted that all staff members were friendly, welcoming, and very engaged with the students. She commended them as some of the hardest working educators, adding that their work is deeply rewarding.

Director Gambiln reported on the enthusiasm surrounding Homecoming Week and the school spirit days. Students have been participating by dressing up in a variety of themed outfits for each day. The community is looking forward to the upcoming Homecoming parade and football game on Friday. 

Director Gamblin announced that Westwood Elementary is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on October 30.  

Student Representative Preston Bauer reported that he just completed a quiz in Mr. Saling's Pre-Calculus class. The class achieved a B average grade for this difficult quiz. He was excited to share that he and his classmates are successfully understanding the complicated material being presented to them.  

Superintendent Mark Wenzel shared the following:

• Gratitude was expressed to the Board and district leaders for a productive retreat. The full-day session covered a wide range of topics including the Superintendent Goals, District Improvement Plan, School Improvement Plan, and Board Goals. Feedback was positive from all participants. 
• Requests are on the evening's agenda for the Board of Directors to approve the District Improvement Plans, School Improvement Plans, and the Superintendent Goals. 
• The Board Goals are still in draft form. A follow-up session will be planned to refine and finalize the goals during the upcoming WSSDA conference. 
• The Homecoming Coronation ceremony is scheduled for this evening. Community members will serve as judges, and Student Representative Elliott Cheney is in attendance as a part of the EHS Homecoming Court.
• Middle and high school music departments hosted exceptional concerts last week for orchestra, band, and choir members. The overall quality of student performances was excellent.
• EHS Choir Director Paul Scott recently brought in a professor from the University of Washington to provide student feedback. The adjudicator, who has been mentoring the district's choral programs for 18 years, noted this was the best he has ever heard the concert choir sound so early in the school year.  Mr. Scott was commended for maintaining a high standard and for continually seeking feedback to master his craft.
• Collaboration time has been set aside next week for Secondary Math and English Language Arts (ELA) teachers to "unwrap" academic standards, review curriculum alignment, and align core student learning objectives. 
• A small advisory team, including Birth to Five Principal Stacy Lucas,  has been assembled to analyze specialized, early-learning student programs and placements specifically with the opening of Evergreen Elementary. Further findings and data will be presented to the Board at the November Study Session. 
• Human Relations has seen strong interest in recent postings for Evergreen Elementary. The district is prioritizing internal candidates as they look to hire the school's core leadership team, followed by other certified positions. 
• Levi Nelson was celebrated as the latest Rotary Student of the Month. He is serving as this school year's ASB President at Enumclaw High School. 
• As part of the Homecoming week celebrations, Superintendent Wenzel interviewed three notable alumni. A featured article detailing their stories will be published in this week's edition of The Courier-Herald newspaper. 

Director Gamblin encouraged community members to watch the entertaining and informative videos, Wenzel's Weekly Wrap Up, which are available on the district's social media pages and emailed to families in the weekly newsletter. 

Superintendent Wenzel introduced a new, recurring agenda item titled, "Update on District Goals" designed to provide the board with ongoing, data driven progress reports throughout the school year. 

As part of this update, a district attendance report was shared showing half of the schools on target for their established attendance goals and half making progress toward their goal. The administration is currently researching attendance best practices and strategies. The leadership team is actively reviewing models from other districts that are successfully achieving high attendance rates. 

Principal Stacy Lucas presented an overview of the Birth to Five Center (BTF). Ms. Lucas noted she is currently in her 32nd year in education and her 7th year as the principal of the BTF Center. The school's work is grounded in the district's Five Commitments, with a strategic focus on student well-being, literacy, algebraic reasoning, and reinforcement of the importance of student attendance.

The school serves 152 students across its programs and is supported by 34 staff members.  Ms. Lucas shared standards and targets for student math outcomes, student literacy, and student well-being. Staff are prioritizing age-appropriate self-care and independence skills for students. Focus areas include staying engaged in activities, using materials appropriately, putting toys away, washing hands, and hanging up coats. Current data shows that 84% of students are attending school at least 90% of the time. While not a written goal, Ms. Lucas highlighted the importance of students meeting benchmarks across all six WAKIDS domains to ensure readiness for kindergarten. 

The Board was provided a packet with preschool assessment and goal-setting documents given to families to encourage student learning at home. Ms. Lucas concluded by thanking the Board members for their recent site visits and extended appreciation to cabinet members for their ongoing support. 

Director Gamblin asked Ms. Lucas to clarify the structures of the different programs. She stated that Developmental Preschool is a half-day program serving students who qualify for special education in two or more domains. ECEAP is modeled after the federal Head Start program and serves three and four year old students who qualify in certain areas, including income. Transition to Kindergarten (TTK) is a full week program operating on standard kindergarten hours and serving 40 students demonstrating academic or developmental needs. 

Director Gamblin requested Ms. Lucas share about the Peer Modeling for Developmental Preschool. She shared that the "push in" model for the inclusion program is successful. She noted that it would be difficult for an observer to differentiate between the peer models and students receiving specialized services, if they visited a classroom.  

Ryan Ota, Consertus Project Manager, presented a brief project update on the Evergreen Elementary project. Design and permitting documentation is currently completed to the 90% construction document threshold. 

Mr. Ota reported that overall construction remains on schedule and highlighted progress across the following zones:

• Area A: Structural installation of trusses and the pouring of the topping slab are underway.
• Area B: The foundational floor slab has been poured.
• Area C: Underground utilities are being installed. 

The contract amendment has been executed from the previous board meeting. 100% construction documents will be published in December. An action item will be brought to the November board meeting for review of vendor contracts.

Mr. Ota noted that two specific reports (Value Engineering and Constructability) are required by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to qualify for School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) funding. Following a comprehensive review of the submissions, Consertus recommends adoption of Resolution 1184: Accepting the Value Engineering Plan and Constructability Report.  Because of the progressive design build model the district is using for Evergreen (with the architect, builder and district at the table for very step of the process) value engineering and constructability are built into the process. 

Director Gamblin asked about the pending permits with the City of Black Diamond. Mr. Ota shared that there are three permits not yet approved. They are for the covered play area, storage area, and garbage area. He anticipates these being approved soon with no major risk to report.  

Director Stouffer asked for clarification on who is working on the permit fees and negotiations. Director of Business Kyle Fletcher responded that he and Superintendent Wenzel are working with the city and that a meeting is planned this week to review permit fees and additional partnership opportunities. 

Director Gamblin shared his appreciation for the project remaining on schedule and under budget with a healthy contingency.

The policies presented for first reading and review were:

• Policy 2230 - Transition to Kindergarten
• Policy 5410 - Sick Leave
• Policy 6100 - Revenues from Local, State, and Federal Sources
• Policy 4020 (Retire) - Confidential Communications

Director of Business Kyle Fletcher submitted the Financial Report to the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting. There were no comments or questions. 

Director Gamblin shared that two upcoming Board meeting dates (moved from November 2 to November 3 and December 7 to December 14) have been adjusted and noted on the district calendar and Board web pages.  

Director Cochran shared appreciation for the attendance report and receiving District Improvement Plans and School Improvement Plans with specific ways to track academic goals.