• Call meeting to order
• Vote to adopt agenda

Whatcom Intergenerational High School acknowledges that we are occupying without permission the ancestral homelands of the Lummi (Lhaq’temish), the Nooksack (Nuxwsa'7aq), the Stillaguamish, the Nuwhaha, and the Coast Salish peoples, who have lived on and cultivated these lands and waterways since time immemorial. We also want to recognize especially the fact that our occupation has not come by peaceful means, but rather the forced removal of these peoples through the enactment of documents such as the Treaty of Point Elliot in 1855, which the United States has broken without penalty, and the Dawe’s Act of 1887. During our occupation, we hope to uplift the teachings these nations have shared with us, and to honor the histories they have had to endure because of us. As we co-exist in this era, in which we all are facing climate crises, social inequality and injustice, and states threats against treaty rights, we ask you to join us in a moment of reflection on: - How we benefit from occupying Indigenous lands, - How we can educate ourselves about the state-sanctioned violence and other struggles that Indigenous peoples face, which we may have the privilege to be unaware of, and - How we can integrate this reflection into our everyday consciousness and actions. Whatcom Intergenerational High School uses this acknowledgement here as a recognition of our responsibility to continue our learning of treaty histories, contemporary Indigenous experiences, and how we can better align ourselves as an institution of education with the truth. We offer our thanks and utmost respect to these nations, on whose lands we are located.

WIHS Mission: WIHS envisions learning designed with students and supported by elders generating deep inquiry skills, thoughtful interactions, and critical consciousness, ensuring every young person can contribute to a more just and sustainable world. 

Vision: WIHS will ensure that Whatcom County high school students-regardless of their life circumstances-develop the competencies and agency for success in college, career, and life.

Included in the Consent Agenda:

• October 2023 board meeting minutes
• October 2023 Financial Report (Reviewed by Finance Committee on Oct 19th)
• Ratification of SY23-24 contracts over $20,000 (Reviewed by Finance Committee on Nov 16th)
• Addition to financial policies (Reviewed by Finance Committee on Nov 16th)

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the Board. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Please do not use specific student, teacher or administrator names in your comments as our meetings are open to the public and public record, and we must adhere to FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the Board via email, or speak to the Board Chair privately.

Special needs: If you require translation services, or if you have special needs because of a disability that makes it difficult for you to participate in the meeting or if you require assistance to participate in the meeting, please get in touch with the WIHS Board at WIHSBoard@intergenerational.school at least 24 hours prior to the board meeting. WIHS will attempt to accommodate your need.

Board to vote on new board member applicants:

• Deondre Smiles, PhD
• Patrick Freeland, PhD

The facilitator provides the Board an overview of the following:

• Agenda overview
• Logistics
• Retreat Norms

The facilitator provides the Board with an overview of the connection activity.

• The Paseo or Circles of Identity
• WIHS origin story: Shirley Williams, WIHS Co-Founder and Whiteswan Environmental Executive Director

The facilitator engages the Board in discussing WIHS' charter promises.

How will we meet and exceed our charter promises?

Our charter agreement with the WIHS Charter Application spells out a set of key promises WIHS is responsible for delivering. We must understand what we promised to deliver and how close we are to making good on those promises. 

Activity / Discussion:

• Close read and discussion of selected sections from WIHS Charter Application Promises – what promises make this school one of a kind?
• Corrective Action Plan Review and Update
• School-Specific Goals Review and Update

The facilitator engages the Board in a discussion about WIHS’ SPOT Analysis.

The SPOT Analysis will allow the board to fully understand the strengths, problems, threats, and opportunities toward our agreed-upon goals.

_______________________

Activity / Discussion:

• As a full group, the Board conducts a SPOT Analysis over the next 30-60 days

Facilitator engages the Board in a discussion about WIHS’ Five Bold Steps.

_______________________

Stepping Boldy Toward Our Vision

 After board goals are identified, it’s vital to identify high-level strategies and action steps. Capturing the images of the desired future state and envisioning the path forward in broad terms will help WIHS board and staff, in partnership with our stakeholders, understand what it will take to realize and achieve the board goals/vision and identify the significant initiatives for getting started. 

• Identify action steps

Board Chair and/or designee motions to enter Executive Session to discuss 2023-2024 confidential matters pertaining to personnel. 

“The [board] will now meet in executive session to discuss the Executive Director/School Leader’s 6-month re-evaluation as allowed by RCW 42.30.110 which states, “1(g) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to RCW  42.30.140(4), discussion by a governing body of salaries, wages, and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public;

“The [board] will be in executive session until 1:55 pm.” 

“The [board] is/is not expected to take further action following the executive session.” 

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the Board. Each member of the public may sign up to comment at the meeting and will be allotted three minutes. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Please do not use specific student, teacher or administrator names in your comments as our meetings are open to the public and public record, and we must adhere to FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the Board via email, or speak to the Board Chair privately.