3-26-25%20Draft%20Community%20Linkage%20Minutes.pdf

Parent document: Regular Board Meeting and Study Session-04-17-2025.pdf

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MA Public’Schools

a collective commitment

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY LINKAGE SPECIAL MEETING
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 26, 2025 -12:00-1:00 p.m.

District Office -Room 103

Topic: Re-Engagement Program

Linkage Attendees:

e Impact Youth Re-Engagement Program Director Rowan Salton; Bellingham
Technical College (BTC) Dean of Instruction Katie Honeycutt; former
BPS/BTC/Impact students and a parent of a former student.

e Directors present: Douglas Benjamin, Camille Diaz Hackler, Jenn Mason,
Katie Rose. Director Scott Ritchey was unable to attend the meeting.

e Superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools Greg Baker.

e District Leadership and Staff: Executive Director of Communications and

Community Relations Jackie Brawley; Deputy Superintendent Mike Copland;
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Jay Jordan; Executive Director
of Family Engagement Isabel Meaker; Options High School Principal Katie Jones;
Bellingham High School Counselor Aimee Bachmeier; Family Liaison Options High

School Allison Beck; notetaker Lezlie Fox.

Call to Order: School Board President Jenn Mason welcomed everyone and called
the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Community linkage meetings give the school
board an opportunity to strengthen our connection with our community members,
and the school board looks forward to hearing what attendees today have to say
about their experiences. She introduced Superintendent Greg Baker who welcomed
attendees and invited all to introduce themselves.

Meeting Purpose — Explanation of Community Linkages: Dr. Baker thanked
everyone for taking the time to be here this afternoon. This linkage will give the
school board information about non-traditional pathways to graduation.

Impact Presentation: Rowan Salton shared a slide show with the group about what
the Impact program offers students in our community.


Small Group Conversations: Three table groups each held conversations, using
the following guiding questions:

Can you share a little bit about your experience with Bellingham Public
Schools? What worked well? What challenges did you face?

What do you wish your teachers or school had known or been able to do to
better support you?

Who do you see as an ally/allies right now on your path to completing your
GED or Impact/BTC?

Are there positive impacts to not following the traditional path to graduation?
Whatis the best part about being a student at Impact?

What has been a success you’ve had while enrolled at Impact?

How do you feel your relationship with school/education has changed since
enrolling at Impact?

What do you wish for other students who face similar challenges? What
advice would you give them?

Can you tell us about your future goals and where you see yourself in a few
years?

Each table group shared highlights from their conversations:

A general theme from many participants was a lot of stress and trouble in
high school, and some students described themselves as “troubled youth.”
Students not fitting into the mold of high school as it’s designed. Some
students tried different schools, such as Options High School, but still felt
that they didn’t fit in.

Many shared that the journey out of the “trouble” often involved sobriety and
a treatment program.

Students shared that they enjoyed BTC because it was a program that they
had more control over and where they found something they were interested
in, such as welding.

A parent discussed the change in her son at BTC and how the negative peer
relationships disappeared. He now has a direction and a path forward.
There were conversations about rules in high school. Attendance, and
truancy, were difficult for some.

Students said they like programs that start later in the day.

They found allies in treatment programs, teachers and counselors.

There was a lot of discussion about cell phones, which are not banned at
BTC. Some students described their whole experience at BTC/Impact as less
“infantilizing” with a freedom to learn in the way that you learn, rather than
being expected to fall in line with curriculum.

One person observed that the journey is not a straight line. Many things
influence behavior and decisions, both at school and outside of school.


e Some shared their experiences of the transition from homeschool to a
traditional school.

e Some students liked that they could advance at their own pace at BTC and
avoid some of what they feel are punitive things that occur in a traditional
high school setting. They also stated that staff at BTC have more time to sit
and talk with students.

Dr. Baker asked if any of the school board members had questions or comments:

e One board member said it’s clear there was often an adult that helped
students find the path, whereas in high school they were being told there is a
path, and you need to follow it.

e One board member encouraged students to write to their legislators about
the importance of the BTC Impact program.

Dr. Baker thanked the attendees for participating in this afternoon’s community
linkage. Notes will be posted on the board’s website in the coming weeks.

Ms. Mason thanked everyone for their valuable input and adjourned the meeting at
1:00 p.m.

Approved:

Jennifer Mason, Board President

Attest:

Greg Baker, Secretary to the Board

Minutes approved: ___