2024-08-05-minutes.txt

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YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT #7
Board Meeting
Monday, August 5, 2024; 4:00pm
In-person meeting, live-streamed & recorded LINK
Conference Rooms A & B
  Members present
Norm Walker, Graciela Villanueva, and Martha Rice were present. Ryan Beckett and Raymond Navarro, Jr. were excused.
  A. CALL TO ORDER
1. President Walker called the meeting to order at 4:00pm. Jorge announced he is offering interpretation services.
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
President Walker led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
  3. Yakama Land Acknowledgement
A video of YSD students reciting the Land Acknowledgement was played.
  B. REPORT TO THE BOARD This section can be watched at 4:17 time stamp.
1. Address the Budget - Frances Guerrero, YEA President
President Guerrero presented on the impact of budget cuts, emphasizing cuts to custodians and paraprofessionals hinder teaching, increased special education needs requiring adequate funding for true inclusion, and that classified staff play a vital role in student support.
  C. UPDATES This section can be watched at 11:20 time stamp.
1. Members of the Board
Director Rice reminded the board that the WSSDA General Assembly handbook is in draft form, with proposals due by August 20th. The final version will be available at the end of the month in preparation for the General Assembly in late September.
2. Superintendent's Update
Supt Greene shared that collaboration has been strong throughout the district, particularly among teachers, in preparation for the school year. Staff has been participating in safety training, PLC work, a PBIS retreat, and leadership sessions to name a few. The Careers and Conservation summer program concluded, allowing students to participate in conservation initiatives across the Valley. Director Rice inquired for the community on how to enroll their students. Mr. Jake Kuper shared the enrollment website: www.ysd7.org/enrollment or said to call 509.573.7021.
3. Calendar Updates and Future Agenda Items
Kirsten Fitterer shared important school events and district events which are listed on BoardDocs.
4. Comments from the Public on Agenda Items  This section can be watched at 18:37 time stamp.
Kim Wallberg spoke on budget cuts with regards to paraeducators in SpEd classrooms.
  D. APPROVALS This section can be watched at 23:11 time stamp.
  1. Approval of Resolution 07.23.24 Program Reduction in Force for 2024-25 - Jake Kuper, Asst Supt of Finance
Mr. Kuper, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, addressed the attached action letter and Resolution 07.23.34. He noted that mid-year savings options are limited, with a proposed reduction in force and a voluntary 5-day furlough for admin, along with a freeze on vacation cash-outs. September cash flow is impacted by 9 optional workdays paid in that month.
He outlined 39 FTE reductions as per union agreements, clarifying that no paraprofessionals will be RIF'd, but will be reassigned. Currently, there are 52 classified staff members, with efforts ongoing to fill all positions.
President Walker inquired about administrative overload, recalling that we should aim for around 9% administration, with 12.5% as the state level maximum.
Mr. Kuper discussed reduced MSOC budgets and financial protocols established prior to the reductions, including downsizing credit cards to control monthly spending of approximately $200k. He emphasized the need for timely PO confirmations and adjustments to supplemental contracts to ensure work is not completed before approval. Contracts with outside vendors have been renegotiated, especially as ESSER funding concludes, necessitating better deals. Additionally, efforts are underway to secure grants for upgrading outdated HVAC systems as part of a multi-pronged strategy to reduce spending.
That the Board of Directors approves Resolution 07.23.24 for the proposed 2024-25 Program Reduction in Force as presented.
  Motion by Martha Rice, second by Graciela Villanueva. Motion carried 3/0.
Yea: Graciela Villanueva, Martha Rice, Norm Walker
  2. Interlocal Agreement with West Valley School District - Jake Kuper, Asst Supt of Finance
Director Rice asked how this will affect our relationship with NW Harvest. Mr. Kuper explained this contract is for purchasing and NW Harvest is for storage and distribution. Both contracts are designed to lower food cuts.
That the Board of Directors approves the interlocal agreement between West Valley School District and Yakima School District.
  Motion by Martha Rice, second by Graciela Villanueva. Motion carried 3/0.
Yea: Graciela Villanueva, Martha Rice, Norm Walker
  3. Approval to Award the Contract for the 2024-25 SY - Stacey Locke, Deputy Superintendent
That the Board of Directors grants approval to award the Special Education Certified and Classified Related Services to include therapy and assessment services in the areas of speech, occupational, psychology and physical therapy, American Sign Language (ASL), and 1:1 para services contract on an as-needed basis for the 2024-25 School Year, not to exceed $2,000,000.
  Motion by Martha Rice, second by Graciela Villanueva. Motion carried 3/0.
Yea: Graciela Villanueva, Martha Rice, Norm Walker
  4. Second Opportunity for Public Comment  This section can be watched at 56:13 time stamp.
There are 3 public commenters.
1. Felisa Sanchez spoke on budget cuts with regards to Special Education para pros.
2. Steve McKenna spoke on budget cuts.
3. Vickie Dwight spoke on budget cuts.
  E. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Move to Executive Session
In accordance with RCW 42.30.110, that the Board of Directors, at 5:15p.m., move into executive session for the purpose of current or potential litigation with legal counsel for approximately 30 minutes.
  Motion by Martha Rice, second by Graciela Villanueva. Motion carried 3/0.
Yea: Graciela Villanueva, Martha Rice, Norm Walker
  2. Adjourn from Executive Session
The board has extended the executive session by 10 minutes.
They adjourned the executive session at 6:02pm.
  F. ADJOURNMENT
1. Adjournment
President Walker adjourned at 6:05pm.
                                                                                                                                                                  Norm Walker, President                                             Trevor Greene, Secretary to the Board