Steilacoom Historical School District

Minutes

February 19 2025 Regular Board Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Location

Steilacoom Historical School District Professional Development Center

511 Chambers Street, Steilacoom, WA
https://steilacoom-k12-wa-us.zoom.us/j/83636289569

Directors Present

Chair Scott, Director Lewis, Director Rohrer, Director Tinsley

Directors Absent

Director McDonald

Guests Present

Gwen Miller, Superintendent Weight

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Chair Scott called a meeting of the board of directors of Steilacoom Historical School District to order on Wednesday Feb 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

Executive Director Susanne Beauchaine led the Pledge of Allegiance.

C.

Roll Call

Director Rohrer made a motion to Excuse Director McDonald.
Director Tinsley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Chair Scott
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director Lewis
Aye
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent

D.

Agenda Review

Chair Scott asked if anyone had any questions about the agenda. No questions.

E.

Approval of Agenda

Director Tinsley made a motion to approve the agenda.
Director Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Lewis
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye

II. COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

A.

Comments from the Audience

Jennifer Bernd, Steilacoom resident, shared she is speaking on behalf of the community regarding bullying in district schools.  Written statement from Ms. Bernd is included in the minutes packet.

 

Courtney Amaryllis shared regarding bullying and requesting change happen. 

III. REPORTS

A.

Budget Status Report

Sarah Jahn, the district's CFO, shared budget status reports for all funds as of the end of January 2025, along with charts and data showing monthly attendance, general fund balance, and general fund cash balance. 

 

No questions from the directors. Director Rohrer welcomed Ms. Jahn and shared she looks forwarding to working with her.

 

 

B.

Legislative Report

Director Rohrer shared legislative priorities from WSSDA including updating outdated funding formulas. Current bills of interest include topics such as financial literacy, restraint and isolation, reducing bond approval rate to 55% from the current 60%, and the parents' bill of rights.  

C.

Capital Facilities Committee Update

Dr. Weight introduced Lauren Peterson and Ashley Waltrip, two members of the district's Capital Facilities Committee.  Dr. Weight also recognized other committee members in attendance - Starlene Enfield and Shae Emery, the district's Director of Operations.

 

Ms. Waltrip and Dr. Peterson shared information regarding the committee's goals and work. Also shared was information regarding historical levy rates and comparable tax rates from neighboring school districts. Current forecasts predict a bond for a new school will not be needed for at least 5 years, and the committee believes a Capital Projects (CP) Levy is the best option for the district, recommending a 4-year CP Levy be placed on the November 2025 ballot. Project categories for the CP Levy include Safety & Security, Building Maintenance, Technology, and Site Improvements. Along with necessary maintenance projects, the committee considered several "large" projects while creating the CP Levy plan. A draft Capital Projects Levy plan was shared with the board. Large projects selected include multi-purpose rooms at Saltar's Point and Cherrydale, as well as a possible gym addition at Steilacoom High School. Next steps for the committee include focus groups and surveys taking place in March - July. In September, a formal recommendation will be brought by the committee to the SHSD Board of Directors. 

 

Director Rohrer asked why the committee didn't recommend a bond. Ms. Waltrip shared the decision was made based off of past election results as well as current and future needs for district students. Current attendance does not warrant a new elementary school in DuPont. Dr. Peterson also shared it makes sense to wait for further development in DuPont to pursue a bond. 

 

Director Tinsley asked about the technology category. Ms. Waltrip shared that the district has a lot of technology that needs consistent maintenance and upgrades. The technology costs included in the levy are for all district schools. 

 

Director Lewis explained technology updates will always be included in every levy due to the life cycle of technology. 

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

A.

Approval of January and February 2025 Accounts Payable and January 2025 Payroll

B.

Approval of January 15 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

C.

Approval of Personnel Reports

D.

Approval of Steilacoom High School Football Team Camp Field Trip

E.

Approval of Steilacoom High School Sports Boosters Donation

F.

Approval of Cherrydale PTA Playground Donation

G.

Approve Consent Agenda

Director Lewis made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Director Rohrer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Tinsley
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director Lewis
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent

V. NEW BUSINESS

A.

First Reading of Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment of Students

Susanne Beauchaine, Executive Director for Human Resources, shared Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment of Students. Ms. Beauchaine shared 2024 Title IX legislation is no longer in effect. To comply with current law, all school districts must revert to their prior 2020 Title IX policies and procedures that were in effect until the start of the current school year. 

Director Lewis made a motion to approve Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment of Students which reinstates the previous version of the policy.
Director Tinsley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director Lewis
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent
Chair Scott
Aye
Director Tinsley
Aye

B.

First Reading of Policy 5011 Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited

Susanne Beauchaine, Executive Director for Human Resources, shared Policy 5011 Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited. 

Director Lewis made a motion to approve Policy 5011 Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited which reinstates the previous version of the policy.
Director Rohrer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director McDonald
Absent
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director Lewis
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye

C.

First Reading of Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination

Ms. Beauchaine shared Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination. She shared OSPI publishes guidelines related to prohibiting discrimination in schools that align with district's requirements under 329-190 WAC. The policy is updated to align with current rules, address legal changes, and to make the policy more user friendly.

Director Lewis made a motion to approve Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination.
Director Rohrer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Lewis
Aye
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent
Chair Scott
Aye

D.

First Reading of Policy 5010 Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action

Ms. Beauchaine shared Policy 5010 Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action. She shared OSPI publishes guidelines related to prohibiting discrimination in schools that align with district's requirements under 329-190 WAC. The policy is updated to align with current rules, address legal changes, and to make the policy more user friendly.

Director Tinsley made a motion to approve Policy 5010 Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action.
Director Rohrer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Rohrer
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent
Director Lewis
Aye
Director Tinsley
Aye

E.

First Reading of Policy 3420 Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response

Kari Terjeson, Director of Special Education, shared Policy 3420 Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response is being updated to add clarity and specificity to utilize the correct medical terminology. In addition, the updated policy includes the necessity to distribute the plan to the appropriate school staff based on the student's needs.

Director Rohrer made a motion to approve Policy 3420 Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response.
Director Lewis seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director McDonald
Absent
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director Lewis
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye

F.

Board Goal - Professional Learning

Director Tinsley shared she has been perusing education articles.

 

 

VI. Closing Items

A.

Board Communication

Director Rohrer shared the board received communication from Chris Barnes regarding the district protecting all students. 

 

Chair Scott shared the board also received communication from Save Girls Sports Washington.

B.

Announcements

No announcements.

C.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Superintendent Weight
Director Rohrer made a motion to adjourn meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Director Tinsley seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
Director Tinsley
Aye
Director Rohrer
Aye
Director McDonald
Absent
Director Lewis
Aye
Chair Scott
Aye