SIA joined the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) this year to offer Cross Country and Track and Field to middle and high school students. 

SIA also began a partnership with Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA) to offer after-school sports programs to Kindergarten through 5th grade students. 

Updates to the Employee Handbook were submitted for Board approval.

• Changes in Discipline
• Changes in building procedure
• Paid/Unpaid Leave
• Supplemental Contracts,Stipends, and Additional Compensation

Student's cell phone policy is included in the family handbook. Cell phone contract will be enforced after two incidents

Out of Endorsement Teaching Staff resolution for two newly hired teachers were submitted for Board approval: Tymen Grant and Tristandoss Davis. Both teachers are credentialed to teach middle school through 9th grade. T. Grant was hired to teach High School Math, mainly Algebra 2; whereas T. Davis will  teach Geometry 

A quorum was not met in August; therefore, all items in the Consent Agenda will be resubmitted next month.

Charina Carothers is present at today's meeting to observe. Ms. Carothers is interested to join the SIA Board. Ms. Carothers has visited and toured the school and her resume was shared with the Board for review.

Russ Battiata was excused from today's meeting. Morgen reported.

SIA is fully enrolled as of today.  168 new students were called to make sure they would be attending. Out of 168, 10 will not be attending SIA.

Russ Battiata made offers today (from the waitlist) to fill those available seats. Families will need to complete their paperwork. 

Enrollment #: 861 students total

SIA is expecting 70 Kindergarteners.

Ken Vorhees congratulates Morgen and SIA for full enrollment.

Josiah Lara joined at 4:45 pm (virtual).

Morgen reports that SIA is fully staffed, with a couple of unexpected openings:

•  MLL teacher- this teacher did not show up on August 26th, first day of training. SpEd including MLL services will start on the 2nd week of school. 
• Instructional Assistant-this person also did not show up for training week.

SIA has contracted a School Psychologist this year.

All teaching staff attended an in-depth training with RELAY on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. There will be an Emergency Procedure training for the rest of the week.

Document provided for Board's resource

Head of School Goals - Pending Board approval. 

Morgen is also waiting for feedback from the Board.

Students take the Smarter Balance Assessment (SBA) annually in May. SBA is the state's assessment. 

A few highlights from the report (showing how SIA students measured with other WA State students)

MATH- 3rd to 5th graders exceeded state scores

•  3rd Grade - WA State 50% proficient; SIA 62% proficient 
•  4th Grade -  WA State 48% proficient; SIA 53% proficient 
• 5th Grade -  WA State  41% proficient; SIA 64% proficient
• SIA 6th graders  - WA State's score 47%; SIA  42% (did not exceed)
• 7th grade - SIA and state the same score at 38% proficient
• 8th grade - WA State 48%; SIA 55% (exceeded)
• SIA 10thth - WA State 28%; SIA 23% (did not exceed)

SIA had thirteen 10th graders enrolled. 

Ken inquired about the drop in proficiency in Level 1 and Level 2 in Math. Morgen feels the drop is due to the inconsistent curriculum used by teachers. New high school students are also a factor.

SIA has a partnership with Instruction Partners wherein this year's goal is to raise the level of instruction and rigor at SIA.

This year, SIA hired additional Math teachers (one FTE); and IA in middle school to assist students in the secondary academy.

A new Math coach was also hired. Instructional Assistants with content skills were hired.

Ken points out that the State level is on the same trend. Glad to hear that SIA has a plan to improve

Cassie commented that it could be students taking the test rush through especially in Math.

Morgen commented that Math practice at home is not so good, inconsistent, or not being practiced at all.

ELA report:

• 3rd Grade - WA State 48% proficient; SIA 54% proficient (exceeded)
• 4th Grade - WA State 49% proficient; SIA 41% proficient (did not exceed)
•  5th Grade - WA State 53% proficient; SIA 64% proficient (exceeded) 
• 6th Grade - WA State 47% proficient;  53% proficient (exceeded)
• 7th Grade - WA State 51% proficient; SIA  51% proficient (same)
• 8th Grade - WA State  48% proficient; SIA 55% proficient (exceeded)
• 10th Grade - WA State 60% proficient; SIA  76% proficient (exceeded)

The SBA Report card (SIA vs. WA State schools in 2023-20240

SIA reported 90% attendance by the end of 2024 with 756 students. 55.8% met ELA standards; 49.4% met Math Standards based on the Spring 2023 assessment; 53.9% met Science standards. Note:  There was no detailed SBA report provided to schools for Science.

Morgen reiterated that the goal is to exceed the state and schools in the area (Arlington, Mead).

Morgen will send the report to the Board for review. 

Best practices for MLL students; CHAS grant $7,000 will be used to help improve programs.

Cassie introduced Ashlee Lent. Ms. Lent attended the board retreat in August. She is an 

accountant and works for a non-profit in Spokane focusing on education. 

A quorum was not met today for Board approval of Ashlee's nomination.

Charina Carothers toured SIA and met with Morgen and Cassie earlier this month.  Their resume was also shared with the Board.

Brief Background on Charina Carothers:

• Resident of Spokane
• Has two kids, one graduated from Pride Prep Charter School, and the other attending North Central High School.
• Is a Clinical social worker; works at UW
• Wants to join the board; is passionate about education and loves to empower young people. 

Cassie reminded the Board about the required training for compliance.  The Charter Commission sent an email with a deadline of September 15 and the list of members who are missing some requirements. 

Cassie will work with Morgen and Myra to complete the requirements.

SIA to the Start process. 

For the Board's FYI.

For the Board's FYI.

The facilitator compiled notes and shared them in the agenda. Cassie wishes to focus on goals and Board roles this year.  

Cassie would like to create the Board foundation based on the goals and how to meet SIA's mission and Head Of School goals so all aspects complement.

In September, they will circle back and create Board Goals. 

The Board the staff the best of luck for the new school year.

Great job to Cassie Anderson for her first meeting as Board Chair.