Changes to the agenda:

• Director Roberts moved the “Board Reports” section to follow the approval of the consent agenda, prior to Action Items. This change aligns with Board Policy 1210, which requires that the Board elect new officers immediately after approval of the minutes in the consent agenda.
• Overnight Field Trip Requests - added to consent agenda

The PHS ASB student representative provided an update on recent ASB activities:

• ASB hosted another pep rally and clubs are continuing to find ways to bring students and the school together.
• Celebrating and recognizing Hispanic Heritage month with various activities.
• DECA is hosting a blood drive.
• ASB is starting to prepare for Homecoming.
• Cheerleading has welcomed over 100+ elementary school students for Future Greyhound Cheer camp.

Teaching and learning activities have started strongly. A Community Listening Session is scheduled for October 15 at Lincoln Middle School; the session structure will be reviewed at the next board work session.

Report: Highly Capable Program

Presenter: Joni Stevens, District Instructional Coach

The board received an update on the Highly Capable Program, which focused on student identification processes, social-emotional supports, and differentiated instruction practices. A change this last school year, was a universal screening of all 2nd and 6th grade students test scores. In Spring 2025, 117 students were tested, with 62 qualifying for services. K–8 students receive cluster grouping and enrichment, while secondary students can select advanced options such as Honors, AP, College in the High School, Running Start, and accelerated math. Communication and support efforts include teacher training, parent resources, and a Parent Information Night.

Board discussion clarified that 6th-grade screening follows OSPI recommendations, while 2nd-grade screening identifies students demonstrating early academic success. Testing focuses on reading and math, with a prescreener followed by a secondary assessment. A committee of counselors, teachers, and a parent review all referrals and data to determine eligibility. Trends in the number of highly capable students served will be provided once that data can be gathered.

Director Tanner provided a reminder about the upcoming Community Connections event that will be held at Jefferson Elementary on October 2nd from 6-7:30pm. Provided details on the sessions offered and the organizations that will be in attendance. Information is available to the public on the district website. 

Superintendent Maxwell reported that OSPI has convened a state-level committee to focus on equity resources.

No speakers.

Election of Board President and Vice President
Due to upcoming general elections, the outgoing Board President, Director Nathan Roberts, and Vice President Director Amanda Tanner stepped down from their officer roles. Director Tanner had been scheduled to serve as the next Board President under the regular rotation but chose not to assume the presidency, creating a vacancy. 

Board President: Director Arron Carter (District 1) was nominated by Director Tanner and elected by roll call vote. 

• Roll Call Vote:
  • Amanda Tanner: Aye
  • Arron Carter: Aye
  • Lisa Waananen Jones: Aye
  • Craig Nelson: Aye

Director Arron Carter assumed the role of Board President and presided over the rest of the board meeting. 

Board Vice President: Director Lisa Waananen Jones (District 2) was nominated by Director Tanner and elected by roll call vote. The newly elected Board President presided over this vote.

• Roll Call Vote:
  • Amanda Tanner: Aye
  • Lisa Waananen Jones: Aye
  • Craig Nelson: Aye
  • Nathan Roberts: Aye

Director Lisa Waananen Jones assumed the role of Board Vice President. 

The newly elected officers will officially begin their two-year terms at the first meeting in January but are serving immediately to fill the current vacancies.

Board Reports:

• Nathan Roberts: Provided an update on the WSSDA General Assembly and noted that next year the legislative representative should attend.
• Amanda Tanner: No report. 
• Craig Nelson: No report. 
• Lisa Waananen Jones: No report. 
• Arron Carter: Met with Lincoln Middle School Boosters, noting new members were recruited during Spartan Start-Up and volunteers are still needed for concessions. Dr. Maxwell also delivered a State of the District presentation.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

Revisions reflect the new discipline rule drafted by OSPI that took effect July 11, 2025. There have been no questions since this item was last presented.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

WSSDA Policy 5161 – Civility in the Workplace is a discretionary model policy designed to foster a safe, respectful, and professional work environment. There was a question from the last meeting about where legal counsel made revisions. Legal counsel made revisions primarily to the enforcement section of the policy. Have not received any quesitons since it was last presented. 

Presenter: Board of Directors

The Board of Directors discussed the appointment of members to the open positions on the district's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Task Force. During the discussion, Director Tanner, Board Liaison for DEIB Task Force, advocated for including all three student applicants on the task force, emphasizing the importance of student voices.

There was consensus amongst the board to invite all three of the students who applied to serve on the task force. 

There were 4 applicants who applied to serve as the Disability Awareness/Access/Inclusion representative. Megan Itani emerged as the top candidate for that position. Director Tanner noted the task force is eager to get the new members seated.

The board will return to this item after the conclusion of the discussion items. 

Presenter: Board of Directors

Annually, the board establishes professional development goals for the school year. Presented is the professional development plan for the 2025-2026 school year as determined by the Board of Directors. The content of the plan is subject to change. It was noted that it may be updated to include onboarding training for new board members. Board members were encouraged to submit ideas for additional topics. Director Waananen Jones suggested scheduling a board self-assessment in 2026, for review around the May work session and the annual summer retreat.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

The board discussed a WSSDA recommendation to pass a resolution allowing the district to cover expenses for newly elected or appointed board members attending the WSSDA Annual Conference, even if they have not yet been sworn in. Clarification was made that the resolution applies only to newly elected members and does not need to name anyone specifically. It was noted that there is no immediate urgency for planning purposes.

Presenter: Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations
The USDA requires that adult meals (for teachers, staff, visitors, etc.) in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program be priced to fully cover the cost of production, including the fair market value of USDA-donated foods. Due to rising food costs, Pullman School District must adjust adult meal prices to remain in compliance with federal requirements. 

The following changes are suggested to meet the requirements:

• Breakfast: Increase of $0.30, bringing the total price to $3.30
• Lunch: Increase of $0.20, bringing the total price to $5.20

These adjustments ensure that adult meal prices continue to reflect the actual cost of providing meals while maintaining compliance with USDA regulations. There are no changes to students meal costs. 

Director Pollestad added that there is some urgency with this item. 

The board will return to this item after the conclusion of the discussion items. 

Presenter: Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations

Upon completion of the sale of the Aquatic Center, Pullman School District (PSD) will enter into an agreement with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) to ensure continued access and use of the facility. Through this agreement, PSD will provide payments to SEL in exchange for ongoing use of the Aquatic Center to support the District’s established swim programs. This arrangement allows PSD to maintain consistent opportunities for student swim instruction, athletic programs, and related activities while transitioning facility ownership to SEL.
 

Board discussion confirmed that the agreement maintains the same level of access and service as before, ensuring no disruptions to high school swim practices or other programs.

The board discussed adding a student to the DEIB Task Force. Director Tanner asked if a vote was required and whether the process was flexible. Superintendent Maxwell clarified that the addition should be included in the motion, noting there are no bylaws governing this process.

Director Carter will reach out to the candidates to let them know. 

• September

For 2025-2026 School Year 

Budgeted FTE: 2540 

Current FTE: 2637.72

• 1210P Board Officer Rotation 
• 3421P Child Abuse and Neglect 

A. Carter announced there will be an Executive Session to discuss property that will end at 7:40 pm. No action will be taken.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 7:40pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 10 minutes before returning to executive session.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 7:50pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 20 minutes before returning to executive session.