School Board Meeting Summary

The Wenatchee School Board provides a "Board Meeting Summary Briefing" after each Board meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting.

📁 Board packets including presentations and reports are available on our website.

📹 Meetings live streamed and archived on our YouTube Channel.

Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was approved as presented.

Citizens' Comments

There were no citizen comments.

Special Presentations
Superintendent Kalahar explained that the engagement boards displayed behind the board are tools used by the district and architects to collect input on the future design of Wenatchee High School during community events and engagement activities.

Special Education PTSA Update
Representatives from the newly established Special Education PTSA presented an overview of their mission to support students, families, and educators. The organization aims to facilitate fundraising, host guest speakers, and provide essential resources and training. Their primary goal is to foster a stronger connection between families and schools through dedicated activities and advocacy. They are tied specifically to the Wenatchee School District but are willing to share their work with other districts in the area. They hope to collaborate more closely in the future with district school PTOs.

Education Research and Data Center (ERDC)
Eric Anderson, Executive Director of Learning, Teaching, and Schools, provided a summary of the Education Research and Data Center (ERDC) website. He presented the platform as a valuable resource for tracking K-12 and post-secondary statistics, noting that this introduction serves as a precursor to a more comprehensive board workshop. The site includes a dashboard for detailed data inquiries, which the district utilizes to monitor dual credit participation, college enrollment, and student outcomes. These metrics are currently being leveraged by the high school to inform and support the Accelerated Pathways initiative and drive student enrollment in college-level courses in high school.

Budget Update
📄 26_27 Board Budget Update - May 12
Superintendent Kalahar delivered a concluding summary regarding the district's fiscal stabilization efforts. To achieve a balanced budget, $2.6 million in reductions will be implemented, focusing on operational expenditures, administrative restructuring, and natural attrition through retirements and resignations. Additionally, the district will realize savings by adjusting staffing levels and unfilled vacancies. Over the last four years, the district has made reductions for a total of $18.7 million to balance revenues with expenditures and maintain fiscal responsibility of taxpayer funding.

Action

Policies - Second Read
📄6140-Duties Of Administrative Staff
The board approved the second read of Policy 6140.

Superintendent Report
Superintendent Kalahar provided the board with a summary of the following events and areas.

• Teacher Appreciation Week: He hoped the active and retired teachers felt appreciation and gratitude for their hard work. Sage Hill Church provided each school and the district with lunch.
• He was able to help judge Mr. Panther, the WHS men's pageant. Kade Devereaux was the winner
• Attended STEAM night, there was great attendance, there was dancing, robotics, plant sale, art, and yearbook activities
• Found out last week that WSD received a $466K grant from the Department of Commerce for a new controller for Foothills MS HVAC system. This will help the district upgrade the system from an outdated controller and save energy.
• The Music and Arts Festival is on Friday on the Loop Trail.

Board Communication

• Director Siderius: Together for Youth is hosting Love and Logic in Orondo coming up in Spanish. Thank you to everyone who works to keep kids engaged and attending school. She appreciated the efforts.
• Director Norton: Give her appreciation for all the educators for all that they do. Shout out congratulations to Foothills and Sunnyslope for being recognized by the state board of education. Attended the budget meeting and Panther athletic events.
• Director Iniguez: Kudos to Orchard around comprehensive health education communication and the other schools that are transparent and sharing with families. WV Tech catered an event at the college for over 300 people, it was fun to see the food and the student presentation. Attended the boys' soccer game at Eastmont. She appreciated the bond work being done by the district.
• Director Belton: Attended and helped with the Sheena Town financial simulation at WestSide, Apple Blossom Youth Parade, Grand Parade, and gave a shout-out to the Apple Blossom musical. The musical had WHS students playing in the pit at Legally Blonde.
• President Jackson: Having middle school sports is such a great opportunity to engage our kids and help them grow and develop. He also wanted to highlight the mental health screening and help available in the district to support students. Together for Youth has a great set of resources available for youth mental health as well.

Executive Session

Dr. Heather Curl, Director of Leadership Development at WSSDA, facilitated the workshop. Board members opened by sharing a personal goal for the session alongside a reflection on an educator who had significantly influenced their life. The workshop included a review of the distinct roles of the Board and Superintendent, a self-assessment based on the WSSDA Board Self-Assessment Survey, and a SWOT analysis to evaluate Board effectiveness. Dr. Curl will provide Superintendent Kalahar with a follow-up summary for further consideration.

Board meeting calendar