The PHS ASB student representative provided an update on recent and upcoming ASB activities, including:

• ASB elections have completed. 
• Spike ball tournament was cancelled due to conflicting events. 
• Prom is coming up and tickets are on sale. 
• Transfer of current ASB reporting representative, who previously served as the Freshman class representative. 

Nominated by Principal Cameron Grow, the Board selected and presented Johanna Erickson with the 2026 Dedicated Teacher Award. 

• Stephanie Horn: Upcoming Wellness Committee meeting; continued communication with community constituents.
• Deena Bayoumi: Coordinating a DEIB Task Force meeting before the end of the school year, including onboarding the newly appointed member and planning for the upcoming year. Monitoring potential changes to state graduation requirements under consideration by the State Board of Education, including possible adjustments to arts and PE/Health credit requirements; no final decisions have been made.
• Craig Nelson: Attended Debbie Stone’s retirement celebration and reflected on the dedicated service of district teachers and the importance of continuing to recognize and value their contributions.
• Lisa Waananen Jones: Received an overview of how elective courses are budgeted through the Finance Committee and offered to share additional information with interested board members.
• Arron Carter: Provided background on the Dedicated Teacher Award selection process. Reported that the district remains in a strong financial position and is finalizing the budget for the upcoming school year, with a focus on curriculum enhancements and updates. Shared Finance Committee discussions regarding levy planning, the upcoming CTE audit presentation, elective course selection processes, and staffing updates. Attended the WSSDA Regional 10 meeting in Ritzville with Board Director Horn and Bayoumi, which included legislative updates and remarks from Mark Schoesler.

• Recognized the Pullman High School track team's qualification for the state championships.
• Noted the many end-of-year activities and celebrations taking place across all grade levels.

Lincoln Middle School - Sources of Strength Program

Presenter: Alison Kimball, LMS Counselor, Hayden Fulfs, Teacher & Cameron Grow

Lincoln Middle School staff and students presented on the Sources of Strength peer-led program, which focuses on building hope, resilience, belonging, and connection among students. Peer mentors described how they support fellow students and highlighted the program’s eight sources of strength, including family support, positive friendships, mentors, healthy activities, and physical and mental well-being. Students also shared information about two awareness campaigns conducted this year. Approximately 60 students participate in the program, helping expand student engagement and peer support throughout the school.

Pullman High School Student Ambassadors

Presenter: Jerrod Fluery, Pullman High School Principal & Denise Thompson, Behavioral Health Support Specialist and Advisor for Greyhounds Minds Matter 

Jerrod Fleury and Denise Thompson provided a spring update on the Ambassador Program, highlighting the 2025–26 cohort and the “Why You Matter” initiative completed in partnership with the Greyhounds Minds Matter club. Principal Fleury discussed lessons learned from the year, including challenges with participation due to before-school meeting times, and outlined plans to expand student representation, increase accessibility by operating during the school day, strengthen student voice, address school issues and equity concerns, and further develop student leadership opportunities. Board members expressed appreciation for student involvement and encouraged continued expansion of student voice in district and community discussions.

Information was shared regarding the NEWESD 101 Regional Equity Summit being offered this summer, with details to be distributed to staff, including opportunities for equity-related clock hours.

Speaker: Nathan Hascall

Topic(s): Letter read on behalf of Lindsay Wheldon - Comment regarding their child's experience in Shiari McNeil's classroom and concerns about the non-renewal decision. 

Speaker: Sara Jimenez

Topic(s): Comment regarding their child's experience with teacher Shiari McNeil.

Speaker: Miranda Ross

Topic(s): Comment regarding their child's experience in Shiari McNeil's classroom and a request to reconsider the non-renewal decision.

Speaker: Milford Hodge

Topic(s): Speaker yielded their time; no comment. 

Speaker: Stephanie Bray

Topic(s): Comment summarizing substantiated risk concerns, highlighting achievements and grant funding at Sunnyside Elementary, and requesting increased board representation for Sunnyside.

Speaker: Francene Watson

Topic(s): Comment expressing concerns regarding the non-renewal of Shiari McNeil.

Speaker: Amir Gilmore

Topic(s): Comment expressing disappointment with and concerns regarding the non-renewal decision for Shiari McNeil.

Speaker: Damon G.

Topic(s): Comment regarding their child's experience with teacher Shiari McNeil.

Speaker: Mira Mohamed

Topic(s): Comment regarding their child's experience in Shiari McNeil's classroom and concerns about the non-renewal decision.

Speaker: Megan Itani 

Topic(s): Letter read on behalf of Diane Hodge - Comment supporting the non-renewal decision and emphasizing the importance of the employee evaluation process.

The following vouchers as audited and certified by the auditing officer, as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims certified, as required by RCW 42.24.090, are approved for payment. In addition, payroll warrants in the amount of $3,165,466.34 are also approved. 

Fund: ASB 

Voucher numbers 202500065 through 202500068 totaling $406.25

Voucher numbers 26737868 through 26737874 totaling $8,125.72

Voucher numbers 26737875 through 26737875 totaling $144.00

Fund: General

Voucher numbers 202500065 through 202500068 totaling $1,095.90

Voucher numbers 252600189 through 252600191 totaling $422.00

Voucher numbers 252600192 through 252600194 totaling $944.84

Voucher numbers 26737908 through 26737913 totaling $913.92

Voucher numbers 26737914 through 26737948 totaling $182,861.00

Payroll warrant numbers 26737876 through 26737907 totaling $3,165,466.34

Board President Carter convened the regular meeting into a public hearing regarding the 2025-2026 General Fund Budget Extension for the purpose of receiving public comment and noted that no action would be taken. 

Speaker(s):

Megan Itani: Comment regarding special education staffing, student service needs, and proactive planning for the upcoming school year.

Board President Carter closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular board meeting at 7:45pm.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

There have been no questions since this item was last presented. It was noted that an adjustment was needed to change School Board Advance to School Board Retreat on the content calendar. 

Presenter: Diane Hodge, Finance Director

There have been no questions since this item was last presented. Need to ensure budget capacity for additional expenditures for Running Start and Special Education with clarification that funds may not necessarily be spent but must be budgeted if needed.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 8:25pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 20 minutes before returning to executive session.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 8:45pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 15 minutes before returning to executive session.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 9:00pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 15 minutes before returning to executive session.

The board meeting reconvened into an open session at 9:15pm, and the chair announced that the executive session end time would be extended 10 minutes before returning to executive session.