The PHS ASB student representative provided an update on recent ASB activities, including finalizing the ASB constitution, developing ASB and club budgets, and upcoming events:

• March Madness: Students can enter brackets and watch games on the lunchroom projector.
• April 2: ASB executive election packets distributed.
• April 22: Class elections scheduled.
• Freshmen: Fundraising by selling concessions at track meets.
• Seniors: Planning a Silverwood trip at the end of the year.

• Stephanie Horn: Reported about experience attending a Jefferson Professional Learning Community (PLC) on Monday morning. 
• Deena Bayoumi: No report. 
• Craig Nelson: No report. 
• Lisa Waananen Jones: No report. 
• Arron Carter: The audit exit interview is scheduled for April 13 and will be attended by board members on the Finance Committee. The audit report will be shared following that meeting.

• PHS Knowledge Bowl: Placed 2nd at state; LMS team advanced to nationals.
• ELA Standards Review: OSPI is reviewing ELA essential standards. Feedback is ongoing, with final standards expected before the 2026–27 school year. The 2026–27 school year will be spent reviewing changes, with implementation planned for 2027–28.

Jefferson Elementary Showcase

Presenter: Kelsey Winningham, Jefferson Elementary Principal

The presentation highlighted positive behavioral changes and academic growth at Jefferson Elementary, emphasizing students taking ownership of their learning. Data was shared showing student growth in reading fluency, including the number of students living in poverty who are at or above benchmark.

National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Report

Presenter: Willma Fields, NBCT Cohort Facilitator

A presentation was given on the NBCT Cohort program, which supports teachers pursuing national board certification. The presentation included the program’s establishment in Pullman School District, the cohort model, completion requirements, and provision of clock hours through an in-person model, allowing participants to work locally rather than virtually. Expansion to other districts was discussed.

It was clarified through discussion that teachers must have three years of classroom experience before submitting for certification, though work on components can begin earlier. There are four components to be submitted within five years; all must be completed for certification.

No report. 

Speaker: Megan Itani

Topic(s): Investigation into the work of the board and concerns regarding the board's lack of transparency.

Speaker: Diane Hodge

Topic(s): Retiring from Pullman School District and provided reasoning for the decision.

Presenter: Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations

The city will no longer maintain Quann Field; the district will assume responsibility. While the focus remains on Sunnyside and Military Park, the district aims to ensure the city has access to school facilities as needed.

Presenter: Diane Hodge, Finance Director

This item was presented at the last meeting. No questions have been received since. 

It was clarified that the approximate dollar amount equivalent to the increased reserve percentage is $1.2–$1.4 million, which is roughly equivalent to one month of payroll and one month of accounts payable.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

The fee schedule was presented at the previous board meeting; no questions have been received. An error on the 2026-27 Pullman High School fee list was corrected: the Art class fee was increased to $25, while the Art Club fee remains $20.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

This item was presented at the last meeting and there have been no questions received.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

Policy 5401 Sick Leave has been revised by WSSDA and was highlighted in the March Policy and Legal News. The policy has been revised to reduce the need for frequent updates when leave laws change, which creates a more enduring policy. Rather than paraphrasing or summarizing statutory or regulatory language, this policy now references the relevant laws and clarify that districts will follow them.

A. Carter announced there will be an Executive Session to discuss the evaluation of public employees that will end at 7:50 pm. No action will be taken. 

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 7:50pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 10 minutes before returning to executive session.