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

Denise Vogel called a meeting of the board of directors of White River School District to order on Wednesday Sep 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.

C.

Roll Call

Under Roll Call, all members were present.

D.

Approve Agenda

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

James Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes from Regular Meeting on 08-19-26.
Karen Bunker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

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

Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve the Out of State Travel for White River High School Girls Basketball team to compete in a tournament in Honolulu, HI, December 7-13, 2026.
Karen Bunker seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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.

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

Cassie Pearson made a motion to approve Donation of $25,000 from the Community Presbyterian Church to the WRSD Backpack Program.
James Johnson seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
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

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

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Maiden Greene