Asotin-Anatone School District No. 420
Minutes
February 2026 Regular School Board Meeting
Date and Time
Monday February 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Location
Asotin High School Library
Directors Present
Brit Ausman, Molly Eller, Richard Witters, Shar Schaefer
Directors Absent
Todd Clovis
Guests Present
Dale Bonfield, Ivan Kirkelie, Julie Hancock, Polly Schetzle, Stephanie Wooderchak
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Flag Salute
D.
Excuse Absent Board Members
E.
Comments from Patrons
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of the Consent Agenda
B.
Approval of Minutes
C.
Bills and Payroll
1215600 CP JAN2 AP $2,000.00
1215601 TF FEB AP $2,000.00
1215602-1215610 ASB FEBMM AP $8,434.81
1215611-1215622 GF FEBMM AP $28,535.99
1215623-1215624 GF FEBMM2 AP $434.00
1215625-1215627 ASB FEB AP $2,865.66
1215628-1215630 CP FEB AP $94,221.70
1215631-1215672 GF FEB AP $98,132.45
1215673-1215686 February Payroll $672,287.59
1215687 CP FEB2 AP $125,995.53
February Payroll Wire $142,017.58
Jan. Comp Tax Wire $877.82
D.
Enrollment Report
Basic Ed Enrollment Review - Feb.
Basic Ed Enrollment - Feb.
Sped Enrollment - Feb.
Sped Review - Feb.
E.
Grant Report
Grants applied for and denied:
Healthy Kids - Amber Henry - $146,329.65 for Food Service
F.
Donations
Zach Wright - cash - $17.36 to GF
BSN Sports - cash - $95.00 to HS Wrestling
Frontstream (Costco Employees) - cash - $272.50 to Elementary
G.
ASB
The board reviewed the previously provided reports.
H.
Agreements
ESD 123 Student Growth Goals
EWU Agreement
Final Forms
Groundwork Brewing-DJ
Kredo, Inc. - Music Fundraiser
Stallion Systems - HVAC Electrical $421.17
Stallion Systems - Misc. $3,105.42
WA-ID Volunteer Center Agreement Exp. 2-5-2029
Western Appraisals Agreement $2,000.00
III. Action to Approve the Agenda
A.
Approval
IV. Action to Approve the Personnel Report
A.
Approval
V. Action to Approve Additional Middle School ELA Curriculum
A.
Approval
Middle School ELA teacher Ivan Kirkelie presented the novel The Scythe by Neal Shusterman to the board. He explained the importance of supplying engaging books to students so they enjoy reading. He also stressed the importance of writing, provided writing samples, and shared the essay forms he uses in his classroom.
Chairman Brit Ausman advised that he had been contacted by a couple of parents expressing their concern about the book. He contacted other parents and feels Mr. Kirkelie did a good job explaining the content before assigning the book.
Middle School Principal Stephanie Wooderchak was in attendance to explain that she did not realize approval from the board was required before implementing the book as additional curriculum. She also shared that there have been no complaints from any parents or students, and that in the future, they will seek approval before adding any additional curriculum.
VI. Action to Approve Resolution 2026-4 for the Authorization of Electronic Payments
A.
Approval
VII. Action to Approve a Food Service Grant Purchase from a Board Member
A.
Approval
Finance and Business Director Julie Hancock shared that the district received a $14,000 grant to be used for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. She also explained how difficult it has been to find Washington-raised and processed beef. Local ranchers did not want to take their beef to WSU for processing. She also explained that since the beef will be supplied by board member Rich Witters, he is unable to vote.
The board was very supportive of this program and suggested displaying a sign in the cafeteria advertising local beef.
VIII. Action to Approve Policies - 2nd Reading
A.
Approval
Policy No. 1820 Board Self-Assessment
Policy No. 1821 Standards for Individual School Directors
IX. Administrator's Reports
A.
Informational
The board reviewed the previously provided reports and had no questions.
X. Finance and Business Director's Report
A.
Informational
The board reviewed the previously provided reports and had no questions.
XI. Superintendent's Report
A.
Informational
Superintendent Dale Bonfield updated the board on the following items:
- TTK (Transition to Kindergarten) - This program has been very beneficial. Still, the legislature is considering cutting the funding, so only students who qualify for free and reduced lunch can attend. If this happens, and we only have one class, we may lose one teacher. However, since there are no daycares in Asotin, this will help our district. We should know about the funding cuts within the next two weeks.
- Skills Center - There is discussion of implementing a skills center that could be used by multiple districts. A district group toured the skills center in Walla Walla. However, this could reduce the number of students enrolled in CTE classes, affecting CTE funding. Mr. Bonfield would like to invite the CTE teachers to a board meeting to express their concerns.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - The district needs to purchase an SEL screener to identify areas where students need additional support. We are applying for a grant from the University of Washington to help cover the cost of the screener.
- Methodist Church Purchase - Mr. Bonfield will sign the paperwork to purchase the church property on February 24th at Alliance Title, and the transaction will close on February 26th.
XII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
__________________________________________________________
Board Member
__________________________________________________________
Superintendent Dale Bonfield
There were no comments from patrons.