South Whidbey School Board, January 25, 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