White River School District
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday September 9, 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.
Roll Call
Under Roll Call, all members were present.
D.
Approve Agenda
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
E.
Approve Minutes of the August 19, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
II. Announcements and Recognition
A.
Next Study Session Meeting- September 23, 2026 at 5:30 pm in the District Board Conference Room
B.
Board and Superintendent Highlights
Superintendent gave a shout-out to the high school and middle school leadership teams for all their work with the tip-off events. He also recognized the district office and transportation department for all their work on our software conversions. Director Johnson shared that there were over 265 middle schoolers participating in school sports, the highest numbers we have had, and it shows the shift in our culture.
III. Highlight
A.
WRHS ASB Activities Report
White River High School leadership students share an update on what they have been doing and what has been happening at the school. They shared information about the ASB Retreat they had over the summer, Leadership Days, Tip-Off, Senior Sunrise, Freshman First Day, and the first Pep Assembly. They gave an FFA update and a sports update. Leadership Prep Day, Freshman First Day and Homecoming Spirit Week. Coming up is Homecoming, which includes spirit days.
B.
Glacier Middle School Leadership- Camp Columbia
Glacier Middle School Leadership teacher Becky LaMont gave a brief overview of this year's Camp theme, "Dive into Leadership." Students introduced themselves and shared their experiences at camp, including highlights, things they learned, and things they'll bring back to school. Mrs. LaMont shared her highlights of the experience and how proud she was of the students; they were so great, and everyone wanted to be with them. They represented well, made connections and she loved what they clasped on- belonging. She thanked the WREF for its continued support. She also thanked the GMS Administration team for coming to see the students and see what they are doing at camp.
Director Pearson said the students did a great job with public speaking.
IV. Public Comment
A.
Public Comment
Director Vogel opened the floor for public comment. There was no Public Comment.
V. Break
A.
Break
Director Vogel called for a 5-minute break.
VI. Consent Agenda
A.
Approve Actual Vouchers Issued August, 2026
B.
Approve Payroll Issued August 31, 2026
C.
Approve Revised Personnel Report
D.
Approve Surplus
E.
Washington State Board of Education Minimum Basic Education Compliance
F.
Approve Eastern Washington University College in the High School 2026-2027 Memorandum of Understanding
G.
Vote on Consent Agenda Items
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
VII. Business Services
A.
Financial Report for Month of July, 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
Local property taxes are almost fully collected at 99.8%. Investment earnings are just over $777,000 through July and while still strong, they are down approximately $100,000 from last year at this time.
We have received communication from OSPI regarding Safety Net; our award for 25/26 is $213,775.
Total expenditures are 88.5% of the budget which is slightly lower than last year at this time.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Revenue consisted of property taxes, impact fees, interest and proceeds from the tree farm harvest.
Expenditures were for small projects, the WRHS building improvement retainage payment, technology, and the costs related to the tree farm harvest.
DEBT SERVICE FUND
There was no significant activity in the Debt Service Fund; however, the 2026 Bond Refunding took place on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The transaction closed on August 28, 2026. Savings to the taxpayers over time will total just over $2M.
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE FUND
There was no significant activity in the Transportation Vehicle Fund.
VIII. Action and Reports
A.
Approve Out of State Travel for White River High School Girls Basketball team to compete in a tournament in Honolulu, HI, December 7-13, 2026.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| James Johnson |
Abstain
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
B.
Approve Out of State Travel for Native American Education teacher to attend the National Indian Education Association Conference in Buffalo, NY, October 7-10, 2026.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
C.
Approve Donation of $25,000 from the Community Presbyterian Church to the WRSD Backpack Program
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
D.
Approve Overnight Travel for the White River High School Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team to compete in a tournament in Spokane, WA, September 25-26, 2026
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Matt Scheer |
Aye
|
| Karen Bunker |
Aye
|
| Cassie Pearson |
Aye
|
| James Johnson |
Aye
|
| Denise Vogel |
Aye
|
E.
WRSD Secondary Math Update
An update on secondary math was provided for the board members’ agenda packets. For any questions, the board can reach out to Cody Mothershead or Amy Low. Items included in the report were as follows:
- 8th Grade Math & 10th Grade Math SBA (2019-2026)
- Algebra Grade Comparison (2016-2026)
- AP Calculus AB Enrollment Trends
- 6-12 Math Sequence
- Impact on state assessment
- Impact on access to rigorous courses
- 6th Grade Optional Acceleration
- Past Geometry numbers at the 8th grade
- Algebra Course Alignment - GMS & WRHS
- WA State K-12 Math Standards Update
- 6-12 Math Instruction Update
IX. Closing Items
A.
Board/Superintendent Comments
There were no additional comments.
B.
Adjourn Meeting
It was moved by Director Scheer and seconded by Director Johnson to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:14 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 6:14PM.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.