Board Report - 3/11/22
Vea la versión en español del Informe de la Junta Directiva aquí.
This is a summary of the Pasco School District Board Meeting on March 8, 2022.
View the School Board Meeting Online
Recognition
ESD 123 Art Show Contest Winners
PSD celebrated Pasco students who showed their creative talent during the 49th annual Educational Service District 123 Regional High School Art Show.
The following Pasco School District students earned honors in this year’s show.
Superintendent’s Choice
Matthew Bruce’s photo titled ‘Smile’
Superintendent Honorable Mentions
Bex Kethan’s photo titled ‘Lindi in the Windi’
Emma Ramacher’s photo titled ‘Jaden’
Judge Choice Awards
Anna Van Dinter’s drawing titled ‘Distorted Self Portrait’
Teagan Bushman’s photo titled ‘Brown Eyes’
Emma and Bex attended the Board meeting and were presented with Certificates of Appreciation. Congratulations to all the winners!
Celebrating Education Support Professionals Week
PSD's Education Support Professionals week in Washington (formerly known as Classified School Employees Week) is March 14 – 18 and was established to honor the professionals who work hard every day to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our students.
The following representatives from our classified union groups were in attendance: Wally Collyer and Scott Keleher, representing our Maintenance & Custodial staff on behalf of the IUOE Local 280 union; Lori Cox, Margarita Ramos, and Irene Mendoza, representing our Secretaries, Nutrition Services, Paraeducators, & Specialists on behalf of the PSE/SEIU Local 1948 union; and Tamara Pearson, representing Transportation on behalf of the Teamsters Local 839 union.
Union representatives were presented with new PSD badge reels, which have been sent to all buildings for Classified employees to pick up the week of March 14.
Long Term Facilities Management & Bond Planning
Michelle Whitney, PSD Superintendent, presented board members with additional bond planning information requested during the February 22 board meeting. The information included:
- Construction timelines
- Details on the small innovative high school concept
- Reengaging the City of Pasco in a partnership to enclose Memorial Pool
The Board moved toward a consensus on the proposed bond project scope, which includes a comprehensive high school #3, small innovative high school, athletic field, Career and Technical Education (CTE) enhancement and modernization, and land. The Board directed district staff to prepare to run the bond in February 2023.
Director Districts – Terms
Sarah Thornton, PSD Assistant Superintendent of Legal Services, discussed designated board term options for the 2022 election. Two election scenarios were presented for consideration, which included:
- All positions standing for election in 2022 have the same term.
- Positions standing for election in 2022 will have staggered terms
Board members decided that option two, staggering the candidate terms for the 2022 election, is preferred. Ms. Thornton’s presentation will return as a report at the next board meeting on March 22.
Educating Students in a COVID-19 Environment Update
Sarah Thornton, PSD Assistant Superintendent of Legal Services, provided an update on state indoor mask rules for K-12 schools based on updated requirements and guidance released from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) on March 8.
Based on the new guidance, masks are no longer required in schools or buses effective Monday, March 12. In addition, there are several other changes to the Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs from the DOH, which you can view for further details.
District staff will be sending communications to all staff and parents before Monday, March 12, regarding these updates.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports: Social-Emotional Learning and Behavior
Alice Amaya, PSD Director of Student Support, provided an update on Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Social Emotional Learning and Behavior (MTSS-SEB) implementation across the district.
MTSS-SEB is a framework for proactively identifying and addressing the strengths and needs of all students. It is an educational best practice and aligns with the Pasco Promise and Outrageous Outcomes.
Mrs. Amaya provided details regarding:
MTSS-SEB Overview
MTSS-SEB connections to the Outrageous Outcomes
Implementation Plan
Implementation Fidelity Monitoring
Communities in Schools
Mira Gobel, PSD Assistant Superintendent of Schools & Social Emotional Learning, updated the district's Communities in Schools Benton-Franklin partnership. Communities in Schools' mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
The district has site coordinators in eight schools, with an expansion plan for next year. A representative from Communities in Schools Benton-Franklin gave a brief overview of the partnership, what support is provided, and a current data overview.
Resolution on COVID-19 Vaccinations
Sarah Thornton, PSD Assistant Superintendent of Legal Services, provided the board with an opportunity to discuss adopting a resolution regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for students.
The resolution is similar to the version that the Kennewick School District Board of Directors adopted, which opposes a student vaccine requirement due to administrative burden.
Board members will review the resolution and provide suggested edits to Ms. Thornton. A review of the resolution will be an action item for the board meeting on March 22.
Next Meeting
Attend in-person, via Zoom, phone, or live-stream.