Changes to the board packet:

• New PHS ASB Club Request – Employment Skills – added as a consent agenda item
• Policy 6212 Charge Cards – added as non-substantive policy update under informational items

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

• Provided end of year updates which included Prom, and an update on the results of the annual ASB elections. ASB is considering planning a "Hound Olympics" event to finish out the school year. 

• Craig Nelson: Attended Bob's Bulletin update at the Franklin Elementary staff meeting and participated in the Kamiak Blood Drive noting that some elementary schools are planning to compete for various blood drive prizes in the future.
• Lisa Waananen Jones: Jefferson Elementary is preparing for end-of-year events. Director Waananen Jones provided a follow-up on the budget decision to transition the full-time Athletic Director position to a combined Assistant Principal/Athletic Director role. The update included a summary of community feedback shared at the last board meeting and a response to the key points raised. Director Waananen Jones also shared that they are exploring ways to show appreciation for and recognize the contributions of volunteers.
• Arron Carter: Director Carter shared follow-up conversations regarding the budget decision about the Athletic Director position, including discussion of next steps and efforts to provide clarity and understanding. He also met with the Lincoln Middle School Students of Color Association, who are organizing a "Week of Kindness" to promote kindness among peers, with plans to continue the initiative into the next school year. The group is also partnering with the City and local supermarkets for a snack drive to support their teen rec center; students will be collecting donations in front of stores for this effort. Director Carter also participated in the exit audit meeting. The auditors found no concerns—everything was in order. A policy revision related to the audit is included in the board packet. He expressed appreciation for Diane Hodge and her team, noting that their thorough preparation saved the district money. He also briefly highlighted items reviewed during the audit.
  • Dr. Maxwell noted that the auditors commended Finance Director Diane Hodge and her team for their outstanding work, which resulted in a $3,400 savings for the district. He emphasized that the district incurs an annual cost for the audit and appreciated the auditors providing an estimate and focus areas for next year’s audit. Director Hodge added that the district received the State Auditor’s Award in 2022 and highlighted that Pullman School District is audited very thoroughly.
• Amanda Tanner: No report. 
• Nathan Roberts: No report. 

• Had another successful 5th Grade Outdoor education experience at Camp Wooten and for our day campers. This event is a team effort and shared appreciation for all of the work put into that experience. 

Budget Update provided by Dr. Bob Maxwell, Superintendent and Diane Hodge, Finance Director

The presentation highlighted the district’s ongoing financial challenges due to declining enrollment, rising costs (particularly utilities and insurance), and inadequate state and federal funding. Although the district remains solvent, continued budget adjustments are necessary to avoid future financial insolvency. Dr. Maxwell provided clarification around headcount versus student FTE. District's are funded on a student's full-time equivalent for every student that is attending time spent in a Pullman school. Clarification was provided on student headcount vs. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), with a reminder that Running Start students only generate partial funding for the time spent in Pullman High School. The district is working to expand College in the High School offerings. Dr. Maxwell also clarified that transfer data shows a relatively equal number of students transferring in and out of the district.

Key priorities included:

• Keeping student learning as the central focus.
• Reducing expenditures thoughtfully, targeting up to $1.3 million in savings.
• Increasing revenue through advocacy and operational efficiency.
• Rebuilding the district’s fund balance to 8–10% over four years.
• The district is aligning its financial planning with Board Policy 6000 on fund balance maintenance.

Board Discussion:

During the board discussion, board members sought clarification on how rising property taxes impact school funding. Director Waananen Jones questioned why higher property taxes do not necessarily benefit the district, and Finance Director Hodge explained that as property values increase, the state lowers its funding through Local Effort Assistance (LEA), classifying the district as “property rich.” Finance Director Hodge emphasized that the district can only collect the levy amount approved by voters, regardless of property value changes. Superintendent Maxwell reinforced that the levy cap is fixed and not tied to assessed value fluctuations. Finance Director Hodge clarified that Title I, Title III, and Special Education funds are primarily used to support staffing. Director Nelson noted that recent state-imposed adjustments to Whitman County’s assessed property values contributed to the district’s current funding challenges—a point both Dr. Maxwell and Finance Director Hodge agreed with, adding that further increases may still occur. Director Carter asked about the duration of the LEA formula’s impact, and Finance Director Hodge explained that it is recalculated annually, with the next review scheduled for January 2026 for the 2027–28 school year. Dr. Maxwell added that LEA amounts can vary significantly over time.

Update provided by Board Director Craig Nelson:

The task force is actively pursuing two key efforts: removing barriers from the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) reporting process to encourage more individuals to report incidents, and planning a monthly community resource fair. The fair aims to spark conversations, provide valuable resources to families, and strengthen partnerships within the community. 

Director Roberts noted that any future recommendations from the task force will come to the board through the consent agenda.

Speaker: Sherree Komp

Topic: A Pullman High School math teacher with 26 years of experience, including coaching and advising various activities, expressed appreciation for the board’s earlier comments, and shared personal reflections on the impact of the decision to merge the standalone Athletic Director position into a combined Assistant Principal/Athletic Director role. Sherree also voiced concern over the lack of district recognition for Wendy Kruger’s recent award and emphasized the importance of board members visiting schools to engage directly with teachers and staff, as has been done in the past.

Presenter: Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations

This item was presented at the last board meeting. According to school board policy and procedure 2220, the board of directors will take action to approve the school calendars on or before June 1. The calendar committee proposed three different calendar options for the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years. The Pullman Education Association (PEA) and the Pullman Paraprofessional Association (PPA) voted on the proposed draft options.

The results of the overall voting indicated that Draft Option (A) received the majority of votes for
the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years.

There was a question about receiving input on calendar preference from the calendar committee, Executive Director Pollestad provided an overview of the bargaining agreement language that guides the selection of the recommendation to the board. 

During discussion, board members acknowledged feedback from families and students. Director Carter shared that feedback received from high school students was in support for starting school on a Monday rather than a Wednesday followed by a holiday weekend, feeling it offers a more cohesive start to the year. Director Carter also shared feedback received from families that also were in support of Option B’s approach to inclement weather make-up days, which groups them within the same week at the end of the year, making it easier to plan summer activities. Director Roberts highlighted the possibility of a staggered start in the future to support elementary students' transition. Director Tanner emphasized the need to consider teacher input, as the calendar directly impacts their daily work. 

Superintendent Maxwell reminded the board that current policy specifies a Wednesday start, and a policy change would be required to alter that. Director Roberts also noted the importance of aligning the school calendar with community events that typically occur in August.

Presenter: Roberta Kramer, Assistant Superintendent

This item was presented at the last board meeting. This resolution is required as part of the OSPI 180-Day School Year Waiver application renewal process to continue the district's Family-Teacher conference model structure that is currently in place.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

A draft of the 2025-2026 Board Meeting Schedule is presented for consideration. Meeting dates
mimic the schedule followed in 2024-2025 (board work sessions are scheduled for the first
Wednesday of the month, and board meetings are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in
the month). The months of April, November and December differ to accommodate the school
and holiday schedule. 

Director Roberts noted that the calendar include a fall and spring community listening session.

Presenter: Bob Maxwell, Superintendent

The 2025-2026 Pullman Public Schools Family and Student Handbook has been revised and is
presented to the board for review and feedback. The handbook is available on our district website
and will be updated throughout the year, as needed, to reflect policy changes. Paper copies are
also available upon request.

Major Revisions:

• School Addendums - updated as appropriate (subject to change as staffing is finalized)
• Annual Notifications list was updated.
• Policies and procedures have been updated as appropriate.

There may be additional minor changes in the future as a result of legislative session rule changes that may be required to be in a handbook.

Presenter: Debbie Crabtree, Pullman High School Principal & Tammy Sewell, Lincoln Middle School Assistant Principal

The 2025-2026 Lincoln Middle School/Pullman High School Athletics & Activities Handbook
has been revised and is presented to the board for review and feedback. Staff have worked to ensure continuity between LMS and PHS information. Paper copies are also available upon request. Major revisions were reviewed.

Presenter: Debbie Crabtree, Pullman High School Principal

In past years Pullman High School has charged $175 per course for PHS Credit Recovery
Summer School. This fee went away during COVID due to extra funds to cover credit recovery.
Proposal: For PHS Credit Recovery Summer School, PHS would like to charge $150 per course.
We will offer an early enrollment fee of $125 per course if enrolled by June 6th. Scholarships
may be available for students that need those and those funds would come from the building.
 

PHS Summer School:
• July 1-31 (Required orientation on June 26th at 10:15 at PHS)
• Tuesday – Thursday
• 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
• In person at PHS – absences can be prearranged

Superintendent Maxwell inquired about the urgency of the early enrollment deadline, and Principal Crabtree confirmed that having the early enrollment date set would be greatly appreciated to assist counselors and secretaries before their June departures.

During the discussion, Director Carter asked about typical student enrollment and course offerings for PHS Credit Recovery Summer School. Principal Crabtree responded that core classes are usually offered, and while 30–40 students enrolled last year, actual participation was lower. It was also noted that PHS covers the setup costs for the courses, and emphasized that if students don’t recover credits in the summer, they must give up elective classes during the regular school year to make up those credits.

• 6212 Charge Cards