SchoolBoardMeetingMinutes09-14-2022.pdf

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KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 17
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING / Remote Board Meeting
September 14, 2022

MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT
Board Members: Michael Connors, President of the Board; Ron Mabry, Vice President
ofthe Board; Diane Sundvik, Legislative Representative ofthe Board; Micah Valentine,
Board Member; Gabe Galbraith, Board Member; London Moody, Student Representative
to the Board; and Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent and Secretary ofthe Board.
Cabinet Members: Dr. Doug Christensen, Associate Superintendent of Human
Resources; Matt Scott, Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Education; Rob Phillips,
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education; Alyssa St. Hilaire, Assistant

Superintendent Teaching & Leaming; Vic Roberts, Executive Director ofBusiness
Operations; Robyn Chastain, Executive Director of Communications and Public
Relations; Ron Cone, Executive Director of Information Technology

CALL TO ORDER
President Michael Connors called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of
Allegiance with approximately 122 online and in-person staff and guests in attendance.

RECOGNITION
2022-23 Student Representative to the School Board
Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce shared that the Student Representative to the Board is
London Moody, who attends Kamiakin High School. London introduced herself, sharing
the school activities with which she involved. Board members welcomed London to the
Board.
New Administrators/Administrators in New Roles
Superintendent Dr. Pierce introduced administrators new to the Kennewick School
District and administrators who are in new roles. She then recognized the entire
administrative team for their leadership and commitment to KSD staff, families, and
students.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM PARENTS, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS
Linda Stephenson promoted Math Is Cool and encouraged all schools to have a math
team.
Amanda Brown voiced her support for Linda Stephenson and encouraged all schools to
participate in Math Is Cool.

Linda Stevenson used the rest of Amanda Brown's time to continue promoting the Math

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September 14, 2022
Page 2

Is Cool program.

Marianne Bloxham shared that the Washinglon Education Association site says that the
lst Amendment does not extend into the classroom when instructing students and that
Iegally speaking, teachers are considered to be speaking on behalfofthe district. Ms.
Bloxham asked what rules or guidelines the district has in place to make sure that
teachers refrain from taking political positions or exposing personal beliefs, including
speech, classroom decorations, and displays.
Shelly Bames commented on her son's teacher at Kamiakin High School displaying an
LGBTQ flag in the classroom and encouraging students to participate in the LGBTQ
club. Ms. Bames shared that she believes the teacher was not staying neutral, making it
uncomfortable for her son to attend class.

Kaleb Bames shared that he went through discrimination and backlash for how he felt
after his teacher said he could voice his opinion about the pride flag in the classroom.
Kaleb commented that teachers should not show their political and religious beliefs in the
classroom; they should stay neutral. Kaleb stated that he had been kicked out ofclass
and, other times, blocked from entering tJre classroom.
Annette Rose shared concems about teachers asking students what pronouns they want to
be refened to and the number ofpride flags hanging in classrooms. Ms. Rose commented
on inclusivity and stated that she believes that if less division is wanted, those items that
cause division should be removed. She stated that everyone should be accepted, no matter
color, religion, sexual orientation, or gender.

M. Johanson commented on school safety and free programs offered by Sandy Hook.
Tina Gregory spoke about One Nation Under God. She asked the Board to remove BLM,
CRT, gay Pride, transgender books, flyers, flags, etc. from the schools.
George Penn shared that he saw an image on social media ofa gay pride flag hanging in a
classroom. He challenged the Board to direct the district to make things neutral, fair, and
equitable across the board.

CONSENT ITEMS
Motion by Diane Sundvik to approve the consent items as presented.
Seconded by Ron Mabry.

Roll call vote:

Motion canied 4-l -0.

Mr. Connors
Mr. Mabry
Ms. Sundvik
Mr. Valentine
Mr. Galbraith

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Abstain

Minutes

Septembr 14,2022
Page 3

The consent items were as follows:

. Minutes of Regular Board Meeting August 24,2022
. Personnel Actions - Certificated, Classified, and Extracunicular
. Out of Endorsement Teacher Plans (2022 - 2023)
. Tri-Tech Skills Center Building C Project Bid and Recommendation
. Interagency Contracts for Special Education Sewices 2022 - 2023
. The ARC of the Tri-Cities
. Columbia Industries
. Pasco School Disrict DeafProgram
Waterfall Canyon Academy
'. Candy
Mountain AcademY
. 2022 -2023 Performance Goals
. Cabinet Goals
Superintendent Goals
'
. Curriculum Adoption:
Leslie Davidson, published by Wayside
' El Chico Global,book. Author,
will be used in grades 9-12, Spanish 5-6 at
.
.
.
'
.

Publishing. This material
Kamiakin High School'
El Nuevo Houdini, book. Author, Carol Gaab, published by TPRS
Publishing. This material will be used in grades 9-12, Spanish 3-4 at
Kamiakin High School.
Fiesta Fatal, book. Author, Mira Canion, published by Wayside
Publishing' This material will be used in grades 9-12, Spanish 3-4 at
Kamiakin High School.
La Guerra Sucia, book. Author, Nathaniel Kirby, published by Wayside
Publishing. This material will be used in grades 10-12' AP Spanish at
Kamiakin High School.
La Llorona de Mazatldn, book. Author' Katie A. Baker, published by
Wayside Publishing. This material will be used in grades 10-12' Spanish
7-8 at Kamiakin High School.
Llamt Elizette Lima,book. Author, Katie A. Baker, published by Fluency
Matters. This material will be used in grades 8-12, Spanish l-2 at
Kamiakin High School.

SUPERINTENDENT/BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce reported on the district's process for communicating.with
schools regarding air quality conditions when we have situations like smoke in the air.
She shared that the district follows the Washington State Public Health recommendations
for schools based on the air quality index. Dr. Pierce also commented on a recent safetyrelated situation at Southridge High School and stated that the district continues to assess
facility safety measures, preventative protocols, reporting protocols, and commurication
protocols. Di. pierce remlnded the Board ofthe upcoming study session where_the Board
would be discussing a levy plan and stated that the levy funds several safety-related
items. She also shared a reminder about the upcoming Focus Tailgate fundraiser and

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the Kamiakin versus Southridge football game
Student Representative to the Board, London Moody, reported that she attended the
Superintendent Student Advisory Council meeting and shared some ofthe topics they
discussed.

Board Member Gabe Galbraith reported attending the KSD Welcome Back Assembly and
14 school open houses.

Board Member Micah Valentine shared that he attended several school open houses and the
Welcome Back Assembly.
Board Member Diane Sundvik reported that she attended the Tri-Tech orientation; KSD
Welcome Back Assembly at Lampson Stadium; visited staff and students at Legacy and
Endeavor High Schools; and took an online class with Gabor Mate, ,.The Myth of
Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture." She also reported that she
attended Govemor Inslee's Covid Media Briefing (online), attended the WSSDA
Advocacy Insights: Unpacking the General Assembly Handbook (Zoom), and attended
the RSD Board Meeting (Zoom).
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Strategic Goal Reports

Annual Update: Technolo{v Operations
Ron cone, Executive Director of Information Technology, presented the annual report on
Technology Operations.
Board discussion followed regarding turn-around time for teachers with technical issues
and parents setting controls on their child's Chromebook.

All Students are Eneaeed Leamers (Readine and Math Results)
Dr' Pierce, superintendent, and Alyssa St. Hilaire, Assistant Superintendent Teaching &
Leaming, presented the annual K-12 student goal report showing student growth an-d
proficiency targets.
Board discussion followed regarding student growth and what the district is doing to help
students meet their targets.

All Families are Ke), Partners
Dr. Pierce, superintendent, and Robyn chastain, Executive Director of communications
and Public Relations, presented the Annual Family Survey from Spring 2022, Family
engagement Efforts, and the 2022-23 plan for "Get to Know Kennewick School District."

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Board discussion followed regarding the number ofvolunteers in each ofour schools.
President Connors announced a five-minute break at 7:31 p'm. The Board reconvened at
7:38 p.m.
LTNFINISFIED BUSINESS

Matt Scott, Assistant Superintendent ofK-12 Education, reviewed revisions to Policy No.
3545 per WIAA eligibility requirements.
Motion by Gabe Galbraith to approve Policy No. 3545, STIJDENTS: Interscholastic
Academic Eligibility for a second reading'
Mr. Mabry asked where it is documented that you cannot drop a class after ten days. Mr.
Scott replied that he would confirm that it is documented in the administrative procedure for
the policy.
Seconded by Diane Sundvik.
Roll call vote:

Mr.
Mr.
Ms.
Mr.
Mr.

Connors Yes
Yes
Mabry
Sundvik Yes
Valentine Yes
Galbraith Yes

Motion canied 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Dr. Traci Pierce presented an updated Line-Staff Chart showing the restructuring of
departrnents and titles.
Motion by Ron Mabry to approve Policy No' 6100, ADMINISTRATION: Line-StaffChart
as presented for first and second reading.
Seconded by Diane Sundvik.

Roll call vote:

Motion canied 5-0.

Mr.
Mr.
Ms.
Mr.
Mr.

Connors Yes
Yes
Mabry
Sundvik Yes
Valentine Yes
Galbraith Yes

Minutes
September 14, 2022
Page 6

NEXT MEETING AGENDA
The Board reviewed items for the next meeting agenda:

A. Study Session: Levy Discussion and Planning
OTHERBUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW.
The Board discussed protocols for individual Board members to meet with groups.

Board Preoaration for WSSDA General Assemblv

Dr. Pierce compiled individual prioritization ofthe legislative positions from four ofthe five
Board Members so that the Board could discuss and finalize their top 20 positions. Copies
were provided to each Board member.
Board discussion followed.
Ms. Sundvik shared information about what will happen during the WSSDA General
Assembly.
There being no further business, the Board adjoumed at 8:32 p.m.

Approved: September 28, 2022