​Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: South Whidbey School Board
Date of Meeting: Sept. 27, 2023
Members present:  Directors Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford, Superintendent Jo Moccia, Student Members Katya Schiavone and Carter McKnight, Principals John Patton, Kayla Phillips, and Susie Richards, Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman, and Communications Director Kristina Macarro.
Members absent: None
Others present (staff, media, public): Rose Hughes, Goosefoot Finance Director
(Islandrootshousing.org)

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
 Rose Hughs of the nonprofit organization – Goosefoot – made a presentation to the board regarding the Island Roots Housing project in Langley. This project is planned to construct 14 affordable housing units in Langley. School board members stated that affordable housing is a “major concern” for school staff, as SWSD has lost teachers due to the lack of affordable housing within the South Whidbey community. SWSD is one of the top three employers in the South Whidbey community. Currently, the project is in the “preconstruction phase,” Hughs said. The project is being financed by the WA State Housing Trust Fund and a grant from Island County. Estimated rent/cost of a two-bedroom unit will be $1,504. This is based on a HUD formula that estimates 80% of the Island County median income. A community workshop was held in August in which 73 participated. Public survey results may be viewed at islandrootshousing.org
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GoosefootHousing
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/GoosefootHousingESP

 A collective bargaining agreement was reached between SWSB and the two unions which represent school staff: SEIU and PSE. Both memorandums passed, though one board member abstained as he stated he had not yet seen the final contract. The new contract included “a wage increase of .3% and a retention bonus for one year only,” according to SWSD Superintendent Jo Moccia.

 SWSB Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman presented the monthly finance report:
Fund Balances Summary
Fund    8/31/23
General Fund    $ 5,100,001.34
Capital Projects Fund    $1,978,709.90
Debt Service Fund    $ 1491.76
Associated Student Body Fund    $ 81,150.43
Transportation Fund    $679,034.32
Private Purpose Trust Fund    $ 806,239.33
    
Enrollment Summary
FTE Budget for 23-24    Sept 2023    Sept 2023    YTD Avg
Enrollment    1,106.00    1,106.29        1,106.29    1,106.29
He reports that the property taxes are “basically flat,” and that the state funding is based on FTE. An unexpected expense, Poolman said, was the repair of a septic system.

 The charging station to be used by the SWSD’s electric bus has arrived. The District expects to soon receive the new bus.

 A 10-year facilities study, required by WA state, was authorized by the board. The contract is with the Integrus company for $87,720 to cover the whole 10-year span. Integrus is the architectural firm that has done recent preliminary work for SWSD.

 A new “Transition to Kindergarten” program began this school year with 16 students. This is a program which prepares students for Kindergarten entry in the upcoming school year. Students must meet specific criteria to qualify for the program. Currently it has reached full capacity.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: 
(League positions can be found here.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? No     
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? NA

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? No, members of the public requested time to address the School Board at the meeting.
Was background material available to the public? Yes
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No
If yes, for what reason? NA
List any other concerns or observations: NA
Observer E-mail: rbnporter81@gmail.com                                      Date submitted: Sept. 29, 2023

​Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: South Whidbey School Board   
Date of Meeting: Aug. 30, 2023
Members present: Directors Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford, Superintendent Jo Moccia, Student Members Audrey Gmerek and Katya Schiavone, Principals John Patton, Kayla Phillips, Dr. Jeff Fankhauser, and Susie Richards, Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman, and Communications Director Kristina Macarro.
Members absent: None
Others present (staff, media, public): This meeting was observed via zoom, and there appeared to
be approximately four people in the audience.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
 Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman presented the following financial report summary:
Funds    07/31/2023
General Fund    $ 5,234,027.96
Capital Projects Fund    $2,058,503.27
Debt Service Fund    $ 1,489.60
Associated Student Body Fund    $ 69,776.79
Transportation Fund    $151,689.15
Private Purpose Trust Fund    $ 805,437.93
Poolman has stated previously that the district’s budget continues to be adversely affected by inflation, declining enrollment (since the 1990s), and loss of federal funds (pandemic aid). A final budget was due to OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) by this August (2023). The most recent school bond vote failed by 129 votes (it’s required that a bond vote pass by a 60% majority).
 School lunch prices: The board voted in favor of gradually raising the school lunch cost by 5 cents each year, rather than to raise these all at once by 25 cents. The school lunch calculations are set by OSPI at a rate of $3.62, with the federal rate being $4.33 for free and reduced lunches.
 SWSD Superintendent Jo Moccia and Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman have consolidated three more roles within the district: Moccia’s responsibilities now include serving as Director of Special Education; and Poolman’s responsibilities have expanded to include Director of Maintenance and Director of Human Resources. This occurred when two positions- one, a half time position and another, a part time principal position closed. They anticipate that this will be a cost savings to SWSD of about $200,000 annually.
  The Mother Mentor non-profit group’s lease at South Campus was approved for the upcoming year. The organization will be leasing more space and paying the SWSD a commensurate rate. 
 SWSD is waiting on an anticipated electric charging station and electric school bus. Arrival is expected in October 2023. The SWSD has also joined with a consortium of smaller WA school districts in applying for a second electric school bus. The route the new bus will take has not yet been determined. There was discussion that hilly routes should be avoided; that the bus’s use may be rotated between several routes so that as many students as possible may get to ride.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: 
(League positions can be found here.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?  No   
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? NA

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, for “negotiations.” An executive session followed the Board’s business meeting, to discuss negotiations for one hour.
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? NA

List any other concerns or observations: None
​
Observer E-mail:  rbnporter81@gmail.com                                      Date submitted: Sept. 4, 2023

Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting:   South Whidbey School Board 
Date of Meeting: May 24, 2023

Members present: Andrea Downs Policy Representative, School Board Director - District 2; Joe Greenheron WIAA Representative, School Board Director - District 1; Marni Jackson School Board Director - District 4, Legislative Representative; Ann Johnson Vice Chair/Board Auditor, School Board Director - District 5; Brook Willeford Chair/President, School Board Director – District; Dr. Josephine (Jo) Moccia superintendent South Whidbey School District; Audrey Gmerek and Katya Schiavone, student members; John Patton, Kayla Phillips, and Susie Richards, Principals; Dan Poolman Assistant Superintendent; Kristina Macarro Communications Director.

Members absent:

Others present (staff, media, public): Student Carter McKnight; Emmy Atwood School Nurse teacher/practitioner; Shawn Morris Island County Public Health Director; Laura Davenport, Ali Doleshel, Amanda Pitts, Denice Bochantin, Charlene Davenport, Tatiana Hoshiko, Jen Lariff, members of the public.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:

Three main issues focused on by South Whidbey School District Board members during the May 24 meeting were:
 Results of a local community survey showing that the top chronic conditions experienced by SWSD students and staff are “anxiety, stress and depression.” The survey is part of a ‘Needs Assessment’ for school-based health center planning. Currently, the school district only has funding to staff school-based healthcare for one half day per week, which is intended to cover student and staff needs for the whole school district. SWSD School Nurse Emmy Atwood and Island County Public Health Director Shawn Morris presented survey results. Morris states that Island County currently falls below the state average in health services, meaning that it is an “underserved area.” He encourages those interested to serve on a proposed advisory group to increase access to care for both physical and mental health. To volunteer, contact Jen Kerez at j.krenz@islandcountywa.gov

 The district’s budget continues to be adversely affected by inflation, declining enrollment (since the 1990s), and loss of federal funds (pandemic aid). Board members encouraged the public to attend the upcoming SWSB workshop on July 12, to hear the budget presentation for the upcoming school year. A final budget is due to OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) by August. A recent failed school bond vote will also be discussed at that meeting. Regarding that April 2023 vote, Willeford reported that the bond received 1201 more ‘yes’ votes than ‘no’ votes, and that the
measure was “129 votes short of the state requirement of 60% plus one.”

 During the public comment period, several parents and one teacher voiced concerns that the Alternative Learning Experience program (ALE) could potentially face staffing cuts, due to budget constraints. Several referred to the popularity of this program as it is experiencing a long wait list made up of parents and students who wish to be part of it. Superintendent Moccia responded that no decisions have been made on staffing cuts, as the SWSD budget is still “a work in progress.” Also, that she is currently working with Mrs. Richards on the ALE wait list.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: 

These are the primary LWV positions which pertain to state funding of education, which directly
apply to several of the issues raised during this meeting:
 K-12–2: The state has the responsibility for amply funding both education, through the BEA, and those social services needed to ensure that every child regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability is ready to learn and safe in his or her educational environment. Closer links between schools and social services should be forged. (1991, 1997)
K-12–3: All programs mandated by the legislature should be fully funded by the state. (1975)
K-12–4: Maintenance and operation costs of local school districts should be fully funded by the state. The state should also contribute to the costs of in-service training. (1977, 1991)

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?     
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? Yes, specifically studying the impact on students of
below average state funding for healthcare in school-based services,

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, before and after the SWSB meeting to discuss
personnel issues.
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: NA

Observer E-mail:  rbnporter81@gmail.com                                       Date submitted:  6/1/23

​Name of Observer: Diana M Conners
Observed Meeting:   So Whidbey School District Directors Meeting
Date of Meeting: April 26, 2023
Members present: Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford, Supt. Jo Moccia, Student members: Audrey Gmerek and Katya Schiavone
Members absent:
Others present (staff, media, public):  Principals: John Patton, Kayla Phillips, Dr. Jeff Frankhauser, Asst Supt Dan Poolman, Communications Director, Kristina Macarro and approximately 30 members of the community.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
Presentation of spending over past year…A preliminary budget for 2023/24 was presented. Enrollment/ Down 46 for next year…
Program reductions–many that will affect students, no district funding for Running Start Program…
About 11 community members, coaches, parents, and students spoke to the new decision that forbids buses returning from athletic events from stopping on the way home for food/snacks/drinks.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs:
  

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? 
Learn more about budget cuts/program reductions—Watch discussions on the new budget.
Possibly conduct meetings with individual members of the school board or have them speak at an event.

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?  There could have been more discussion, but there may not have been the time. 
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? Yes. There was an Executive Session following the Board Meeting.
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: There was a great deal of public protest against new budget cut regarding stops for athletic buses returning from sporting events. Quite a lot of protest regarding the quality of school programs… Comments on ration of district management to budget problems and need for cuts… One person stated that this Supt earns more than the Governor of WA.
​
Observer E-mail:    conners@whidbey.com               Date submitted:  05/01/2023

​Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: March 22, 2023
Date of Meeting: March 22, 2023
Members present: Observed via zoom; not able to see board member name placards via zoom. It appeared that all board members Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson and Director Brook Willeford were present. Dr. Jo Moccia, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations and Dan Poolman were also in attendance.
Members absent: Unknown.
Others present: members of the public, including teachers, parents and students.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:

The School Board formally voted to support the $80 million bond proposal [Proposition No. 1] which will be voted upon during an April 25 Special Election. Board members commented that if passed by district voters, the general obligation bond monies would be used to address “critical needs” of the school district. One of several examples offered by the board during the meeting is a “leaky roof” at the middle school. No public comments were offered on the bond issue during this meeting.

The board approved purchase of its first electric school bus from RWC Corp, following receipt of a Federal grant awarded to SWSD. The grant also covers other related costs (charging station and 13-year warranty on battery). The grant money will be reimbursed by WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) before the bus is received by the district. Total cost: $435,000.

SWSB Affirmative Action Plan Goals: Board members addressed their 5-year plan. This includes: 1) recruiting women administrators, 2) equity trainings, and 3) prevent employment discrimination based on gender.

Teacher, Mrs. Richards, made a presentation to the board highlighting projects within the Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program. She said there are currently 66 students in the program, with a student teacher ratio of 22:1. Twelve middle school students also presented to the Board regarding their experiences during the current school year.

Financial and Enrollment Report (current fund balance $4.9 million; Student enrollment – 1152) presented by Dan Poolman, Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations.

The Board also approved twelve additional Memoranda regarding district policy on: updating the ‘Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Prevention’ policy; updating Conflicts of Interest/Principles of Operation as these apply to Enrollment policy; approving the Financial Education Mastery-Based Learning and Credit policy; approving the Students in or Released from an Institutional Education Facility policy; updating the Student Privacy and Searches policy; approving the new School Director Legislative Program policy; updating Students on Governing Boards policy; updating the Executive or Closed Sessions policy; updating the Infection Control Program policy; updating the Holidays – Leaves policy; updating the Temporary Administrators policy; approval of the School Bus Purchase.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs:   

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?   No 
 
Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes

Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS

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
Was background material available to the public? Yes
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No

List any other concerns or observations: During the public comment period one person, Mark Eger [sic], identifying himself as the parent of a senior student athlete, requested that the board consider changing a policy that buses carrying students returning from extracurricular activities be allowed to stop for food. Director Willeford and Superintendent Moccia responded to the request. Willeford said that this issue was not considered a school board issue, as the board is not creating policy on it. Moccia clarified that this was an administrative decision based on both equity and cost issues.
Also, that exceptions are sometimes made for specific student trips. The Board’s Student representatives also advocated for food stops.
​
Observer E-mail: rbnporter81@gmail.com                       Date submitted:  March 26, 2023

Name of Observer: Diana Conners
Observed Meeting: South Whidbey School Board Business Mtg
Date of Meeting: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Members present: Directors: Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford,
Superintendent: Jo Moccia, Student Members: Audrey Gmerea & Katya Schiavone, Principals: John Patton, Kayla Phillips, Dr Jeff Fankhauser, Susie Richards, Asst. Superintendent: Dan Poolman, Communications Director: Kristina Macarro
Members absent: Andrea Downs
Others present (staff, media, public):

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
Presentations by students–What’s happening in their individual schools. Three presentations.
Board Proposal: 2023 Updating Facilities for K-12/ School Bond $80K Approved. Resolution #669–General Obligation Bond Financial Report and Enrollment Summary Fund 1/31/2023 General Fund $5,075,922.73 Enrollment YTD average: 1151.07

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: N/A

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? NO
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? N/A

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? YES

Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS

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? Moderate
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? NO
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 For what reason? N/A

List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail: conners@whidbey.com
Date submitted: 02/27/2023

​Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: Jan. 25, 2023
Date of Meeting: Jan. 25, 2023

Members present: Observed via zoom; not able to see board member name placards
via zoom. It appeared that all board members Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie
Jackson, Ann Johnson and Brook Willeford were present. Dr. Jo Moccia,
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations, Dan Poolman,
were also in attendance.

Members absent: Unknown.

Others present (staff, media, public): Rachael Mathews, Food Service Supervisor [with
students Grant and Tevron]; Mark Hodson, SWHS Social Studies teacher; Val Brown
and Sue Ann Brewer, Librarians.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
Financial and Enrollment Report (expenditures $6.7 million; Students – 1145 year
average);

Memorandum 22/23 – 14 (Resolution 668) was passed which designates certain
expenditures for potential reimbursement from bonds or other obligations. This allows
for the school district to be reimbursed for architectural work and other soft costs by
bond monies when/if the future school bond measure is approved by voters.
The Board also approved ten other Memoranda regarding policies on: the Transitional
Bilingual Instructional Program; Guidance and Counseling – Learning Programs and
Supports; Suicide Prevention; Students in (Foster) Out of Home Care; Language
Access; Hiring of Retired School Employees; Substitute Employment; Rental or Lease
of District Real Property; Nutrition, Health, and Physical Education; and approval of a
Board Regionalization letter to be sent to WA state legislators.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or
programs:   

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?    YES  
If ‘yes’, what action do you recommend?
I would recommend that the LWV study the WA Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) policy on “Regionalization” that will result in the loss of $4 million over the next four years to the South Whidbey School District.
The SWSD asserts that this policy does not reflect the intent of the WA State Supreme
Court’s McCleary decision [In the McCleary case, the court ruled that the WA state
constitution requires the state to pay for all basic education costs and found that too
many school districts were instead covering basic education costs using local levy
dollars to do that]. SWSB voted in Memorandum 22/23 – 15 to send a letter to legislators to this regard.

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Consider the following questions and respond if relevant.  

FEATURE EVALUATED COMMENTS

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

Was background material available to the public? Yes
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? For what reason? No

List any other concerns or observations: NA

Observer E-mail: rbnporter81@gmail.com                       Date submitted:  Jan. 25, 2023

​Reports coming soon!