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White River School District

Minutes

Special Session Board Regular Meeting

Date and Time

Tuesday December 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Directors Present

Cassie Pearson, Denise Vogel, James Johnson, Matt Scheer

Directors Absent

None

Guests Present

Maiden Greene

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

Denise Vogel called a meeting of the board of directors of White River School District to order on Tuesday Dec 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted. 

C.

Record Attendance/Roll Call

Under Roll Call, Director Bunker was absent: all other directors were present.

D.

Approve Agenda

Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve the agenda.
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

E.

Approve the Minutes of the November 12, 2025 Regular Board Meeting

Matt Scheer made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Meeting on 11-12-25.
Cassie Pearson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Oath of Office

A.

Administer Oath Of Office for Director District No. 1, Director District No. 3 and Director District No. 4

The Oath of Office was administered by Superintendent, Dr. Scott Harrison to re-elected Directors:

Denise Vogel-Director District No. 1

James Johnson- Director District No. 3 

Cassandra Pearson- Director District No. 4

III. Reorganization of the Board

A.

Nomination and Election of President

Cassie Pearson made a motion to nominate Director Vogel for the position of board president for the next year. After three calls for nominations, Director Vogel was elected.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

B.

Nomination and Election of Vice-President

Cassie Pearson made a motion to nominate Director Scheer for the position of board vice president for the next year. After three calls for nominations, Director Scheer was elected.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

C.

Nomination and Election of Legislative Representative

Matt Scheer made a motion to nominate Director Johnson for the position of Legislative Representative for the next two-year term. After three calls for nominations, Director Johnson was elected as Legislative Representative for the next two-year term.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

D.

Nomination and Election of WIAA Representative

Cassie Pearson made a motion to nominate Director Bunker for the position of WIAA representative for the next year. After three calls for nominations, Director Bunker was appointed to the position of WIAA Representative for the next one-year term.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

E.

Reaffirmation of District Policies

James Johnson made a motion to reaffirm the district policies.
Cassie Pearson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

F.

Reaffirmation of Regular Meeting Days and Time

Cassie Pearson made a motion to reaffirm the regular meeting days and times.
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

G.

Reaffirmation of Board Operating Principles

James Johnson made a motion to reaffirm the Board Operating Principles.
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

H.

Authorization of Superintendent to Grant Emergency Approval of Overnight Travel for WIAA-Sanctioned Events

Cassie Pearson made a motion to authorize the Superintendent to Grant Emergency Approval of Overnight Travel for WIAA-Sanctioned Events.
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

I.

Authorization of Superintendent to Sign All District Contracts and Agreements

Matt Scheer made a motion to authorize the Superintendent to Sign All District Contracts and Agreements.
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

J.

Authorization of Superintendent to Sign All Federal and State Grant Applications

Matt Scheer made a motion to authorize the Superintendent to Sign All Federal and State Grant Applications.
Cassie Pearson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.

IV. Announcements and Recognition

A.

Board and Superintendent Highlights

Director Pearson shared that she attended the White River School District Drama production of The Music Man, and it was so well done and top-level.  She also shared that everyone who auditioned got a part. 

Superintendent Harrison shared that the maintenance and custodial teams have been awesome the past week, with all the rain we have had.  

Director Vogel shared she attending the Choir performance and it was packed, there was standing room only.  

Director Scheer shared he attended the Santa Parade and the Middle School Band did an awesome job!

B.

Winter Break-No School- December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026

C.

Next Regular Meeting January 14, 2026 5:30 p.m. at DDC Board Conference Room

Director Vogel added that, starting with the January meeting, there will no longer be a Zoom option for our Regular meetings.   

D.

Next Study Session Meeting January 28, 2026, 5:30 pm, DDC Boardroom

V. Public Comment

A.

Public Comment

Director Vogel opened the floor for public comment.  There was no Public Comment.  

VI. Break

A.

Break

There was no break.

VII. Consent Agenda

A.

Approve Actual Vouchers Issued November, 2025

B.

Approve Payroll Issued November 26, 2025

C.

Approve Personnel Report

D.

Vote on Consent Agenda Items

James Johnson made a motion to the Consent Agenda Items.
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

VIII. Business Services

A.

Financial Report for October, 2025

Under Business Services, Donna Morey provided the information for the monthly financial report in the board members’ agenda packets. There were no questions.  Items of note were:

 

GENERAL FUND
In October we received just under 37% of our budgeted levy collections. The five-year average for October is 36% so this is consistent with prior years. This large amount of collections artificially inflates the ending fund balance. In November, the fund balance will reduce as expected.


Local revenue is down slightly from last year. With universal feeding at two schools this year, this is not surprising.  There will be a correlating increase in federal revenue in the Child Nutrition Program.


CAPITAL PROJECTS
There were no significant expenditures in the Capital Projects Fund in October.  Revenue received in September consisted of tax collections, investment earnings and impact fees.


DEBT SERVICE FUND
There was no significant activity in the Debt Service Fund in September.


TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE FUND
As seen in the Top Ten Expenditures table, there was a large payment to Schetky NW for the purchase of a large (74 capacity) bus.

IX. Action and Reports

A.

Pierce County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Assistant Superintendent, Heather McMullen, shared that we are moving with a plan and it has been submitted, but due to delays with Pierce County, we are unable to move forward.  The current approved plans are set to expire on November 22, 2025, so we will be temporarily out of compliance. Our previous plan will remain in effect until Pierce County is able to update it. 

B.

Approve Resolution 25-19- Request for Waiver Days for Professional Development for Three Years

This is an application to reduce the number of student days from 180 to 177. The three days would be used for district wide professional development, reducing the need to use substitutes for training during the school year.

Matt Scheer made a motion to approve Resolution 25-19- Request for Waiver Days for Professional Development for three years.
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

C.

Child Nutrition Update

Mitch Koger, Child Nutrition Manager, provided information for the Child Nutrition Update report in the board members’ agenda packets. If there are any questions, the board can contact Mitch.  Items shared in the report were:

  • Account Highlights
  • Business Review
  • KPI's
  • Innovaton
  • Global Insights & Trends

 

 

X. Board Policy Considerations

A.

Second Reading and Approval of the following Board Policies:

  • Policy 5011- Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited (updates/revisions to)
  • Policy 1111- Oath of Office (updates/revisions to)
  • Policy 1210- Annual Organization Meeting (updates/revisions to)
  • Policy 1630- Evaluation of the Superintendent (updates/revisions to)
  • Policy 1820- Board Self-Assessment (updates/revisons to)
  • Policy 0300 – Planning Process (retirement of)
  • Policy 0500 – Components of the District’s Plan (retirement of)
Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve Policy 5011- Sexual Harassment of District Staff Prohibited (updates/revisions to).
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Matt Scheer made a motion to approve Policy 1111- Oath of Office (updates/revisions to).
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve Policy 1210- Annual Organization Meeting (updates/revisions to).
Matt Scheer seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
James Johnson made a motion to approve Policy 1630- Evaluation of the Superintendent (updates/revisions to).
Cassie Pearson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve Policy 1820- Board Self-Assessment (updates/revisons to).
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Matt Scheer made a motion to approve Policy 0300 – Planning Process (retirement of).
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Matt Scheer made a motion to approve Policy 0500 – Components of the District’s Plan (retirement of).
Cassie Pearson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.

B.

First Reading of the following Board Policy:

Policy 6220- Bid Requirements (updates/revisions to)

 

Superintendent Harrison shared that the federal threshold amounts had recently been increased, so changes were made to align with the new federal threshold amounts.  If there any questions, please reach out to Donna Morey.  

 

The policy will go up for second reading and approval at the next regular board meeting.


 

XI. Closing Items

A.

Board/Superintendent Comments

There were no comments.

B.

Adjourn Meeting

It was moved by Director Pearson and seconded by Director Scheer to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Motion carried

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:22 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Maiden Greene