White River School District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday June 10, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Location
District Board/Conference Room
310 River Avenue North, Buckley, WA 98321
Directors Present
Cassie Pearson, Denise Vogel, James Johnson, Karen Bunker, Matt Scheer
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
Maiden Greene, Scott Harrison
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Pledge of Allegiance
C.
Record Attendance/Roll Call
Under roll call, all members were present.
D.
Approve Agenda
E.
Approve the Minutes of the May 13, 2026, Regular Board Meeting
F.
Approve the minutes from the May 27, 2026 Board Study Session
II. Announcements and Recognition
A.
Board and Superintendent Highlights
Superintendent Harrison shared his appreciation to all the volunteers who made graduation a success. President Vogel echoed his sentiments and thanked all who were there. Director Pearson added that everyone did what they needed to do despite the rain and that she was proud of the graduates' accomplishments. Director Scheer shared that the White River Education Foundation was the recipient of the WASA Region 111 Community Leadership Award and that the foundation raised over $93,000 this past year.
B.
Last Day of School-June 15, 2026
C.
Next Board Study Session Meeting June 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at DDC Board Conference Room
D.
Next Regular Meeting July 8, 2026, 5:30 p.m. at DDC Board Conference Room
III. Highlight
A.
WRHS ASB Activities Report
The new 2026-2027 Executive Board members introduced themselves to the board. They
each shared their roles, why they wanted to serve on the Executive Board, their goals, and things they were involved in. They also shared the names of the new 206-2027 Class Officers. They gave an update on events that have been occurring- the Film Festival, the Bring The Sting grass volleyball tournament, and an update on Choir- Mrs. Howard made a surprise visit, Band-two new drum majors, Drama Club- Little Shop of Horrors production, Skills USA to Nationals, FFA- new office team & competed in over 19 competitions this year, Spring Sports season, the Horent Way/Hornet Honors Award Assembly, Senior Elementary Walk/Senior Sunset, the Move Up Assembly, and Graduation. Coming up this summer are Sports Camps & Fundraisers, Club Retreats, King County Fair, Leadership Work Days (August 18th-20th), Hornet Tip Off August 20th, and Back to School August 31st w/Freshman 1st Day.
B.
Salmon Project Update
Lori Curtis, Executive Director of Learning, Instruction & Technology and elementary STEAM teachers presented an update on the districtwide Salmon Project for third-grade students. They expressed their appreciation for the White River Education, the Pierce County Conservation District, the school board, and the district for their support of the program. Learning about the salmon’s unique life cycle and habitat is helping teach multiple third-grade science standards in a meaningful way. Students went on a fall field trip to the South Prairie Preserve in October, where they planted trees for stream restoration and observed salmon spawning. Tanks were set up in each elementary school, and eggs were delivered to each school. Tanks were placed in a central location so that all students could see the salmon fry. In the spring, students were able to release them on their field trip to Voights Creek Hatchery. Learning was enriched by the Pierce Conservation District, AmeriCorps volunteers, hatchery staff, and parent chaperones.
The team also recognized Chris Towe and Astra Palmer (not in attendance) from Pierce Conservation District for their partnership, support, expertise, and enthusiasm for the program, and presented him with Salmon prints.
C.
Spring Sports Update
Athletic Director Chris Gibson gave an update on the Spring sports season. He shared that there were 659 athletic registrations at the High school, 812 at Glacier Middle, and there were 254 bus trips this past year. He expressed his appreciation for the coaches' time and dedication to the athletes. Coaches and students shared how their respective seasons went and shared their favorite memories. Chris Gibson thanked the board for their continued support.
IV. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
Mackenzie Korthals: Shared that she was a recent White River High School Class of 2026 graduate, and she wanted to share a petition to allow seniors to decorate their caps.
V. Consent Agenda
A.
Approve Actual Vouchers Issued May, 2026
B.
Approve Payroll Issued May 31, 2026
C.
Approve Personnel Report
D.
Approve Items for Surplus
E.
Approve Interlocal Agreement Pierce County Human Services regarding ECEAP
F.
Approve Sodexo - Food Service Management Company 2026-2027
G.
Approve Child Nutrition Meal Prices 2026-2027
H.
Approve Unrepresented Admin Salary Schedule
I.
Approve Unrepresented Salary Schedule
J.
Set 2026-2027 Budget Hearing Date for August 19, 2026
K.
Vote on Consent Agenda Items
VI. Business Services
A.
Financial Report for April 2026
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
Levy collections continue to track in line with historical patterns and are currently pacing appropriately relative to the budgeted amount.
CAP Youth Sports sales have generated $103,800 in year-to-date revenue through April compared to prior-year revenue of $84,700. This reflects continued growth in participation.
While interest earnings are pacing below the high returns experienced last year, they are still strong with year-to- date revenue totaling approximately $565,000 through April.
We are continuing to monitor expenditures closely as we move into the 4th quarter and approach year-end. The 3rd quarter projection will be completed in early June.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Revenue in April consisted of property taxes, impact fees, and proceeds from the tree farm harvest.
Expenditures were for small projects, technology, and the costs related to the tree farm harvest.
DEBT SERVICE FUND
There was no significant activity in the Debt Service Fund in April.
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE FUND
There was no significant activity in the Transportation Vehicle Fund in April.
VII. Action and Reports
A.
Approve Overnight Travel for Glacier Middle School students to attend Camp Columbia at Cispus Learning Center in Randle, WA, August 9-12, 2026.
B.
Approve Overnight travel for the White River High School Treble Choir for their Treble Choir Retreat on 10/4-10/5, 2026, at Lakeview Christian Conference and Retreat Center in Auburn, WA.
C.
Approve Overnight travel for the White River High School Chamber Choir for their Chamber Choir Retreat on 11/10-11/12, 2026, at Lakeview Christian Conference and Retreat Center in Auburn, WA.
D.
Approve Out-of-state travel for the White River High School Chamber Choir to participate in the Music in the Parks competition in Salt Lake City on April 29-May 2, 2027.
E.
Approve Overnight travel for the 2026-2027 FFA officer team to travel to Long Beach, WA for the Officer Retreat July 22-24, 2026.
F.
Approve overnight travel for the FFA officer team to attend Camp Cispus for District II Leadership camp in Randle, WA in mid-September or early October 2026.
G.
Approve WRAA 2026-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement
H.
Elementary ELA & Math Unit Data and 90% Goal Data
Teachers on Special Assignment, Heidi Lee and Wendy Ward, presented information on
Elementary ELA Unit 4 Data and Math Unit Data, as well as winning innovations. Yearly Data comparisons, as well as building- and district-wide data, were presented.
District Tier 3 Intervention Coordinator Cathy Meagher and Heidi Lee then presented information on the 90% Goal. They reviewed AIMSwebPlus composites, district fluency checks, and cohort data. Kindergartners are reading well, with an average rate of more than 44 wcpm and an average accuracy of 96%.
VIII. Board Policy Considerations
A.
First Reading of the following Board Policy:
Assistant Superintendent Heather McMullen presented information on the policy.
- 3241- Student Discipline
- Updates to OSPI Student Discipline Rules WSSDA Model Policy Update
- Revised in December 2024 to align with final Washington State student discipline rules.
- Changes were minimal, as the final rules closely mirrored the emergency rules adopted in September 2024.
- Added an accompanying procedure and Discipline Matrix
- Ensured alignment with state student discipline requirements and clarified district expectations
- Revised in December 2024 to align with final Washington State student discipline rules.
- Key Features
- Added “corrective action” to the definitions section
- Updated the definition of “discretionary discipline”
- Removed the term “other forms of discipline” from the procedure.
- Updated the section on long-term suspensions and expulsions
- 3241F Matrix
- Requirement to identify major and minor discipline offenses
- Includes possible examples
- Aligns with district office discipline referrals & school matrices
- Updates to OSPI Student Discipline Rules WSSDA Model Policy Update
Policy will go up for second reading and approval at the next regular board meeting.
B.
Second Reading and Approval of the following Board Policies:
IX. Board and Superintendent Comments
A.
X. Board and Superintendent Comments
Director Pearson shared that the numbers are exciting for the 90% goals. She asked what more the board could do to support. Director Vogel shared that the Class of 2026's graduation rate was outstanding.
X. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
It was moved by Director Scheer and seconded by Director Johnson to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 pm. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.