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
B.
Pledge of Allegiance
C.
Roll Call
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
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Director Rohrer shared legislative priorities from WSSDA including updating outdated funding formulas.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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Roll Call | |
---|---|
Director Tinsley |
Aye
|
Director Rohrer |
Aye
|
Director McDonald |
Absent
|
Director Lewis |
Aye
|
Chair Scott |
Aye
|
Executive Director Susanne Beauchaine led the Pledge of Allegiance.