Oak Harbor School Board, February 27, 2023

Name of Observer: Becky Bolte
Observed Meeting:   Oak Harbor School District Board
Date of Meeting: 2-27-2023
Members present: Lynn Goebel, Bob Hallahan, Sharon Jensen, Nicole Tesch, and Student: Thinalyn Ramier
Members absent: Josiah Villano (excused), Jessica Aws
Others present (staff, media, public):  Superintendent: Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Elementary School
Principals: Katie Coder, Liz Ritz

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
3.01 Recognition of Elementary Principals’ Secretaries - Jane Ritter, Broadview, Krista Lien (Crescent Harbor), Tonya Mays (Hillcrest), Theresa Byrne (Oak Harbor Elementary), Andra Shelly (Olympic View)
3.02 Recognition of Music Matters Grant Recipients - Holly Brown, James Schlegel, Kendall Parrett, Renee Hall
3.03 Recognition of Citizens for Better Schools - Samantha Horrobin, Erica Wasinger, John Chaszar, Cherie MacLean
4.02 Visitors Scott McKinley (sp?) Olympic View – concerned with pickup and drop-off, 100 children waste time waiting for bus, recommended process improvement methodologies and offered to help.
5.01 Superintendent’s report

NAFIS National Assn. of Federally Impacted Schools – Michelle Kuss-Cybula will attend meeting on March 12-14.
Voting results: 23,771 registered voters, 9,426 votes cast- 777 increase over 2022, 391 more votes were needed to pass, passage rate last year was 45.9%, this year was 55.8%
Next steps: Bond Committee task force to look at transportation and security needs, 2 DOD schools, work with local legislators.
Budget: ESSER funds ((safe building reopening and operations after COVID) going away, declining COVID enrollment, unfunded mandates, increase in services – utilities, food, transportation
FTE projection – 5100 BEA/300ALE, 5% decrease in overall budget, budget reduction happening through attrition.
Safety and Security – Feb. 15 swatting incident (prank call to emergency services) at OH High School and Hillcrest – students were calm, allowed Law Enforcement to do their job, trained for this, strong partnerships with law enforcement, fire, hospital, and Navy partners – it turned out to be a hoax.
Director Hallahan asked Michelle Kuss-Cybula when addressing NAFIS to emphasize that the need for Covid relief and mental health funds is still high and will be for many years.
7.01 Elementary Schools Annual Report Presented by 5 elementary school principals:
Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) –
1. Positive environments
2. Connections – every student has an advocate
3. Teaching and learning – engaging lessons, students not bored, school is fun
4. Student empowerment – e.g. “principal of the day”
5. Access to support
Panorama Belongings data – 86% of students have friend, family member or adult at school that they can count on to help them. Goal is 100% of 3rd and 4th graders have an adult at school that they can count on to help them.
Re-engaging families after Covid – family conferences/nights, enrichment and music concerts
7.02 Title, LAP, HiCap
Liz Ritz – Title 1 is federally funded (3 elementaries), LAP is state and at all 5 elementaries.
Based on free and reduced lunch %. “Learning to read is our shared moral imperative.” Goal is 95% proficiency K-4 reading.
Katie Coder – HiCap. Gifted education myths:
1. Gifted students don’t need help
2. Can’t be gifted if receiving poor grades
3. Gifted students are happy, popular, and well adjusted
4. Can’t be gifted if they have a disability
10% of students identified to receive highly capable services K-12
SB 5072 (Equity and access to highly capable services) passed unanimously in WA senate – on
to House.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs:   
- Aid to federally impacted schools?
- Support for SB 5072 – equity and access to services for highly capable students?

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? Not at the present time.
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? Were any non-agenda items discussed?  Yes

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? Agenda, past meeting minutes, board member names, livestream link

Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No

List any other concerns or observations:
2 board members commented on visitor statement about pickup at Olympic View.

Observer E-mail:       bbolte@comcast.net                          Date submitted:  2-28-2023