Oak Harbor School Board, March 13, 2023

Name of Observer: Becky Bolte
Observed Meeting:   Oak Harbor School District Board
Date of Meeting: 3-13-2023
Members present: Lynn Goebel, Bob Hallahan, Sharon Jensen, Nicole Tesch, Jessica Aws, Thinalyn Ramier (student), Josiah Villano (student)
Members absent: None
Others present (staff, media, public):  Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula (remotely at NAFIS – National Assn of Federally Impacted Schools - in D.C.), Asst. Superintendent Dwight Lundstrom.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
3.01 Special recognition of Oak Harbor Intermediate School staff – Chandra Mays (Counselor), Grant Finney (Counselor), Charles Pabona (Library paraprofessional), Matthew Sionson (Media specialist), Aisha Mayfield (PTA), Victoria Brown (PTA), Jackie Moore (PTA)
4.02. Visitors. Employee Matthew Black – recognized PTA members again – add joy, thanked them. Parent Jason ? concerned about phones and other hand-held devices brought to school – video of child beaten up in bathroom, premeditated 3-minute video, Tik Tok
5.01 Superintendent’s report –
Recognized classified staff for Appreciation Week
Read across America – shoutout to Elementary staff in making literacy exciting
Student voices – what students have to tell us:
      2-3 things that help you learn
      What are things that make it hard for you to learn?
      2-3 things that an adult says or does that makes you feel like you belong or don’t belong
      Can you share your experience accessing adults in your building to support safety
      If you could change or improved one thing about your school or district…
      How do you make others feel like they belong?
Intervention support:
      Mental health
      Prevention measures
      Academic support
      Belonging
Budget priorities:
      Covid recovery – deans, mental health, MTSS (Multi-tiered system of supports)
      Student safety
      Tighten work around literacy/math and interventions
NAFIS Advocacy (D.C.) -Superintendent will meet with Patty Murray and Pentagon Director to
talk about bond support and creative options. NAFIS to request support for $70 million increase
for Impact Aid for FY 2024 for basic support, federal property, construction, children with disabilities.
School Safety Community Forum – OHPS and OHPD. March 28 at 6 p.m. in Administrative Services Building. Public can submit questions https://bit.ly/schoolsafetyforum2023 Purpose is to learn more about school safety planning – can attend remotely.
7.01 Oak Harbor Intermediate School Annual Report Better together SY 2022.
Supportive relationships and belonging:
 Green forms – student completed incident reports - get back to students in 48 hours
 Student support teams – observing teachers develop behavior plan with teachers
 Characterstrong lessons
 ASB socials and assemblies
 OHI Family/staff night coming up in April
 Staff secret pal and potlucks
 Classified staff training
Focus on reading – group work, book tasting, staff book picks, one school/one book
Community connections – PTA, Pacific Science Center, Superheroes STEM, Whidbey Grace, Whidbey Presbyterian
Question from Director Hallahan about cell phone policy at OHI – no access to cell phone (some
accommodations if needed), must be in backpack – works well
8.01 CTE Shop Building proposal update presented by Ray Cone
Increase of 37% from 2013-2022, 1427 to 1960 student seats filled each day, primarily engineering and manufacturing, added 20’ x 80’ tent and surplused school bus for storage.
Proposal: 40’ x 100’ metal building - $300,000. $250,000 from Facilities Capital Projects,
$50,000 CTE integration and work-site learning, local contractors working with students, comply
with L&I, OSHA, OSPI guidelines. To start summer or fall 2023. Per Michelle – ready to move forward.
9.01 Legislative update. HB 1238 School meals -advanced with bipartisan support
12.01 Board comments. Director Hallahan recommended looking at reducing carbon footprint by developing long term options and setting a goal starting with a transportation workshop.
Requested as an agenda item at May board meeting
13.01 Upcoming meetings. Monday March 27 and April 10.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?    YES 
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? Possibly publicize the School Safety Community Forum on March 28 to League membership

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

Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No

List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail:       bbolte@comcast.net                          Date submitted:  3-14-2023