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Name of Observer: Judy Hucka
Observed Meeting: WhidbeyHealth Board of Commissioners Date of Meeting: 3/21/2024 Members present: James Golder, president; Ron Wallin, Gregory Richardson, Marion Jouas, Kate Rose Members absent: none Others present (staff, media, public): CEO Nathan Staggs, Dr. David Lemme, chief of medical staff (virtual), Dr. Garth Miller, Shanna Harney-Bates, Quality; Paul Rogers, CFO; Tim Waldner, Ancillary Services; Chris Tumblin, WhidbeyHealth EMS; ; John Gleason, administrative chief of staff; . Dominic Symes, HealthTech EVP/Staffing Solutions & Chief Revenue Officer; Patrick Banks, HealthTech AVP/Regional Finance Officer. Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: --Approved resolutions to place EMS (emergency medical services) tax levy proposal on August primary election ballot. Six-year levy would be a renewal of current six-year levy. Tax rate would remain the same -- $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. However, property owners’ tax bills are expected to go up because property values have increased. This levy provides major portion of operating revenue for WhidbeyHealth EMS. --Approved lease of replacement telemetry system. Purchase price is $1 million, and WH is hoping Whidbey Health Foundation will raise money for this at its annual fundraising gala. In the meantime, they will lease the system. Current system is at end of life and at risk for failing. Expected life of new system is 10 years plus. --Cyber security. Dominic Symes of HealthTech, discussed the threat of cyber attacks, the need for training to prevent them and preparation in case they happen, and the large potential costs if they happen. Patrick Banks noted that WhidbeyHealth intends to be prepared and is going to make this a focus, including staff training about password security and the danger of clicking on phishing links in emails. --Dr. Garth Miller gave a detailed presentation on Accountable Care Organizations, a part of the Affordable Care Act that all hospitals that have traditional Medicare patients must implement. The goal is to reduce costs and improve care quality for Medicare patients. Hospitals must meet certain financial and quality targets, and if they do, they are eligible for a share of the cost savings. --After executive session, the board returned to regular session, and approved the purchase of a building at 101 NE Birch St. to house the hospice and palliative care departments. The purchase price is $725,000 and WhidbeyHealth Foundation will provide around $700,000 of that. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: EMS levy (League positions can be found here: Positions - LWV Whidbey Island) Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? Yes If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? WhidbeyHealth EMS has sent us (LWVWI) an email offering to provide us a presentation in the next several months to learn more about WhidbeyHealth Emergency Medical Services and the levy proposal. While we cannot include the EMS levy as part of our candidates forums, we might want to consider a member and/or public program on WH-EMS and the levy proposal. Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? no Was there adequate discussion of issues? yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? yes Was there adequate opportunity for public input? yes Was background material available to the public? yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? no If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: Observer E-mail: [email protected] Date submitted: 3/22/2024 Please submit your report to the Observer Corp Committee at [email protected] within one week of meeting date. Last revised: May 13, 2023
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Observer Corps Report Form
Name of Observer: Robin Porter Observed Meeting: South Whidbey School Board Date of Meeting: March 27, 2024 Members present: Members present: Directors Andrea Downs, Joseph Greenheron, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford, Superintendent Josephine P. Moccia, Student Member Carter McKnight, Principals John Patton, Kayla Phillips, and Susie Richards, Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman, and Communications Director Kristina Macarro. Members absent: Marnie Jackson and Katya Schiavone Others present (staff, media, public): More than 20 students, parents and teachers who came to give presentations about several school curriculum programs to the board were in attendance. Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: Paul Field was officially welcomed to SWSD as the new Director of Finance. He will begin full-time status in May, working on the district budget alongside outgoing Director of Finance Dan Poolman, until Poolman’s retirement. Field’s portfolio includes working in several school-budget related posts for the Northshore School District in Bothell, WA from 2014 to 2022, most recently as the district’s Capital Projects Budget Analyst. Poolman said that SWSD revenue remains “stagnant,” and that increased expenditures are mostly related to rising employee costs (cost of living increases, for example). He noted a few positive budget changes that resulted from the state legislature’s most recent session: SB 5882 addressing district ‘materials, supplies and operating costs, or MSOC was made retroactive, resulting in increased coverage, but stated that a “deficit still exists,” as the current state formula does not offset actual purchase costs, nor the cost of utilities and insurance; HB 1664 sped up the ability for districts to obtain needed counseling staff (i.e. physical, social, and emotional support in schools); funding for teaching assistance and office staff was also increased for the 24-25 school year; he added that SWSD will receive funds from the state for “safety net,” increasing money available for transportation. Poolman cautioned that these changes are one-time fixes and has said that in the future the legislature will need to revamp funding formulas it uses to keep pace with things like inflation. The Special Ed cap was increased from 15 to 16 percent, by the legislature, but Poolman said this will not make a significant difference to SWSD. HB 1238 (Meals for WA students) will begin coverage of all meal costs, for both breakfast and lunch, for all students – pre-K through grade 5 (including ALE program students). The state picked up the piece that the federal government is no longer funding, Poolman said. Information: A. Financial & Enrollment Report Fund Balances Summary Fund 02/29/2024 General Fund $ 4,622,975.91 Capital Projects Fund $2,600,720.92 Debt Service Fund $86,815.67 Associated Student Body Fund $111,172.47 Transportation Fund $683,320.46 Private Purpose Trust Fund $ 811,201.80 Enrollment Summary FTE Budget for 23-24 Mar 2024 Sept 2023 YTD Avg Enrollment 1,106.00 1,118.33 1,122.29 1,119.98 News coverage biases: Director Andrea Downs addressed a “Whidbey Times” article that covered upcoming SWSD personnel changes and the respective salaries. Downs compared the differences within the article about how male versus female superintendents were profiled, which appeared to her to reflect “gender bias.” She read from a national survey of education leaders to outline the impact of this type of bias. In response, Director Willeford stated that SWSB is invited by the League of Women Voters to participate in a panel to discuss ‘the health of local news coverage on Whidbey Island and how it affects democracy’ on June 8, at noon, at the Greenbank Progressive Club. Director Johnson volunteered to participate on the panel. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: (League positions can be found here: Positions - LWV Whidbey Island) Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? Yes. If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? I recommend that the legislature’s formula on Special Ed funding be studied, as this item has the potential to significantly impact smaller school districts such as SWSD. Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? No Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes (No public comments were received) Was background material available to the public? Yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: NA Observer E-mail: [email protected] Date submitted: 4-7-24 Please submit your report to the Observer Corp Committee at [email protected] within one week of meeting date. Last revised: May 13, 2023 |
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