The Student Reps were given the opportunity to ask their own questions this month. 

Gabby, who visited Michael Anderson Elementary, asked 2nd, 4th and 5th graders what are some highlights of their year, what they're excited for next year and what are their favorite things to do now. The like getting to play number games in the classroom, learning about nature, hands-on science and music. They're excited to meet and make new friends and having new teachers. Right now, their favorite things to do are drawing and reading.

Gabby also noted that Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Moss really likes the District's transport vans and how well they drive. Everyone in attendance thought that was great!

Gabby spoke to Chuk's visit to Hallett Elementary where he talked with students in 3rd and 5th grades. In 3rd grade, he talked about ways to solve conflicts with classmates and good ways to resolve them. When 5th graders were asked how they feel kids respect each other, they said some are not showing respect for others. Chuks and the students talked about modeling good behavior and leading by example. 

Ashley went to the Middle School, asking all grades how things are going and what they feel are issues. 8th grade felt classes were going well, with just a few students not respecting each other. They're looking forward to basketball and the band festival.  7th graders say things are going great in class and with teachers. 6th graders like having more afterschool activities especially compared to being at the elementary, and feel they're doing well in class. 

All grades say the bathrooms could use some help with doors being broken, no mirrors and occasional conflicts that take place there. 

Ashley commented on Trinity's visit to the High School. Everyone is excited for spring sports. Academically, they say things are going well with projects and daily assignments. Students are happy with their grades and feel they have the resources to work well with teachers and peers. They'd like to see a longer lunch and independent seniors feel they don't have quite enough access to counselors to help them with things related to post-secondary work and school. 

Medical Lake School District Transportation Director, Tonya Jaynes was excited about the new BusRight feature we have on all our fleet. BusRight is routing software with live GPS. When we had the issue in town with the railroad track roadblock, Tonya was able to reroute drivers to assist with pick up students on the bus affected by the roadblock and do it in real time. Sub drivers will be able to hear turn-by-turn instructions and bus stops using iPads in the bus they're assigned to. September 2025 we should be able to roll out a parent app which will allow parents to see where their student's bus is in real time. This should make it easier for parents waiting for the bus to arrive in the mornings for pick-up and where the bus is in the evening for drop-off. Add some piece of mind. 

Valley Wide was awarded our diesel bid in 2023/2024 and our propane bid in 2024/2025. The savings have been 3-5 % for diesel and 15-20% for propane. Their tanks send an automatic alert to the company when the volume is getting low so we're not having to do larger fill-ups every time like we did when we were having to monitor them manually. 

There are currently two, 77 passenger, diesel buses on order, scheduled for February/March delivery. We went with Bryson, which is BlueBird over the International since their bids came in almost $16,000 less per bus. 

Thanks to our mechanics, all our fleet, which includes bus and passenger vehicles passes WSP inspections every year. We pass the scheduled summer inspection, which is 100% of our fleet and the surprise winter inspection where they pull 25% of our fleet and check them, and we pass with flying colors!

Ridership is down a little bit but some of that is from afterschool activities, and we're not allowed to count those kiddos on our ridership report. 

Transportation has 18 contracted drivers, 5 subs, 4 special needs aides, 2 support aides, 1 driver trainer, 1 shop foreman and 1 assistant tech. 

Our transportation department is always looking for sub bus drivers, the next driver training is March 6. If you're interested, please contact Tonya Jaynes ~ tjaynes@mlsd.org.

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Rob Haugen briefly spoke to the information included in the original document in the board packet and what the data is comparing. Mr. Haugen's main focus were the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Student Celebrations for each building. Moving forward, building principals have been asked to highlight a student in their school that has made great strides towards improvement and what those improvements were. Parents were contacted for permission prior to their student being highlighted on the agenda. 

Rob mentioned what SIP goal the school was improving on, and how and where the highlighted student had improved. 

Director of Student and Community Services, Tawni Barlow explained what it means when a school does a Threat Assessment. It's something that may sound scary, but it's really preventative measures. Tawni shared what sort of behaviors or actions would cause a school building to initiate an assessment, the levels within each of the 2 main steps that take place, and the team involved in the entire process. 

Dr. Headrick read the proclamation for Education Support Professionals Week (formerly classified week)  which is celebrated March 10-14, 2025 and School Retirees Week, March 17-23, 2025.

As noted in the agenda change, the 2025/2026 school year calendar was moved to discussions rather than voting given the significant change in the calendar that was voted most popular. 

We had 3 calendars that were voted on by school staff. There were a record amount of voters this year, almost triple what we've had in the past. Draft A begins before Labor Day and gets out the middle of June. Draft B begins after Labor Day, which we haven't done in a very long time, and gets out the 3rd week of June. Draft C, which received almost 66% of the vote, begins before Labor Day but incorporates a mid-winter break in February and gets out the middle of June. It was discussed at a parent connections meeting Monday, and everyone there seemed good with the change.  Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley and Freeman have a mid-winter break and SPS is looking at that for their 26/27 school year. Dr. Headrick felt it is worth a bigger discussion with all parents within the district through ParentSquare and bi-weekly updates. The 2025/2026 school year calendar will be voted in by the School Board at the March meeting instead. 

Dr. Headrick reviewed the Board and Superintendent goals that were approved at the October Board Meeting saying that they will continue to work towards the 4 goals. 

She encouraged the Board to attend her weekly standing Walk & Talks at each building and the monthly Meet & Greets at Roam and Thomas Hammer on base. 

Randy Moffatt ~ principal hiring
Kadeem Smalls ~ student concern
Brett Ward ~ principal hiring
Jennifer Speirs ~ what's right
Dallas Gilbert ~ principal hiring
Jerry Ornelas ~ principal hiring