SchoolBoardMeetingMinutes10-12-2022.pdf

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KENNEWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO, 17
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING / Remote Board Meetins
October 12.2022

MINUTE S
MEMBERS PRESENT
Board Members: Michael Connors, President of the Board; Ron Mabry, Vice President
of the Board; Diane Sundvik, Legislative Representative of the 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: Matt Scott, Assistant Superintendent of K-l2 Education; Rob Phillips,
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education; Alyssa St. Hilaire, Assistant
Superintendent of Teaching & Learning; Vic Roberts, Executive Director of Business
Operations; Robyn Chastain, Executive Director of Communications and Public
Relations.
Other Guest(s): Bronson Brown, District Legal Counsel
Rhonda Pratt, Director of Secondary Education
Eric Bruce, Director of Maintenance and Grounds
Ryan Jones, Capital Projects Manager

CABINET MEMBERS ABSENT
Dr. Doug Christensen, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, excused.
Ron Cone, Executive Director of Information Technology, excused.

CALLTOORDER
President Michael Connors called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the pledge of
Allegiance with approximately 120 online and in-person staff and guests in attendance.

COMMIINICATIONS FROM PARENTS. STAFF. AND RESIDENTS
Dottie Stevens commented on the levy and expressed appreciation to the Board for all
they do.
Garret Brinkley commented on the article in the Tri-Cities Herald regarding removing
pride flags from the classroom.
Zanna Grandineth commented on the safety of LGBTQ students at school.

Allison Dabler commented that she is here to address the threat that the Board may be
forced to vote on requiring teachers to remove flags of support indicating safe spaces for
LGBTQIA+ students.
Jubilee Alexander commented on LGBTQ student safety and banning pride flags in the

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classroom.

Katherine Chumney thanked the Board for their commitment and support of the Dual
Language program at Eastgate Elementary School and their continued support.

Lisa Peppard encouraged the Board to keep politics out ofthe agenda and to vote no on
any proposed policy against flag banning. She encouraged everyone to vote and not to
hold the levy hostage.
Eva Peppard commented against policies to ban LGBTQIA symbols.

Kauser Gwaduri commented on statistics regarding the safef ofLGBTQ students and the
importance of a positive environment.
Scott Rogers commented on what would happen legally if the Board decided to ban the
welcome flag, indicating that lawsuits costing millions would surely follow.

Marianne Bloxham commented on wanting neutrality in our schools, stating that students
should feel safe with or without a flag.
Annette Rose commented on flags in the classrooms and how teachers should be
accepting of all students.
Tanya Bentley commented on pride flags and how the pride flag should not be used as a
political issue in an attempt to hold the lery hostage.
Ronan Rising commented on pride flags in the classrooms and noted that if the Board
votes against having pride flags in the classrooms, there will be protests, and many
people will be upset by such policy.

Michelle Rising commented on the pride flag, student safety, and how better to put
energy into gangs and safety.
Kathy Daily, a lormer School Board Member, commented on the role of a School Board
member.
Sara Austin supported allowing the LGBTQ flag to stay in the classroom.

Shelly Burt offered suggestions for how school counselors could help LGBTQ students.
Tina Gregory commented that parents want their children educated, not indoctrinated and
added that the American flag is the only one that needs to be in the classroom unless it is
the state flag.
CONSENT I]'EMS

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

Roll call

vote:

Mr. Connors
Mr. Mabry

Sundvik
Valentine
Mr. Galbraith
Ms.
Mr.

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Motion canied 5-0.
The consent items were as follows:

o Minutes of School Board Meeting September 14,2022
. Minutes of School Board Meeting September 28, 2022
o Personnel Actions - Certificated. Classified. and Extracurricular
SUPERINTENDENT/BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce reported she visited many schools over the last two
weeks and shared how fortunate Kennewick School District is to have amazins teachers
and great things happening for students in our schools.
Student Representative to the Board, London Moody, reported she attended the
Superintendent's Student Advisory Corurcil meeting where they met with the Sodexo
Nutrition Services team and discussed school lunches.

Board Member Gabe Galbraith reported he visited the following schools: Phoenix,
Cottonwood, Hawthome, Fuerza, and Sunset View. Mr. Galbraith shared that he met many
support staff while visiting the schools.
Board Member Micah Valentine shared that he held a townhall Q & A. He stated that his
goal is that everybody feels welcome and every student feels safe, known, and valued.
Board Member Diane Sundvik reported that she attends the Ben Franklin Transit Mobility
Access Taskforce meetings; (18 and younger can ride the bus for free), WSSDA
Networking Hour, and KEY Connections. Ms. Sundvik shared that she was able to listen
to part of two of the Richland School Board meetings, the Tri-Cities Regional Chamber
of Commerce Elective Offrcials Reception, and the WSSDA General Assembly. She
attended the KSD Grade 6-12 Health Education curriculum review (Zoom), Urban
League of Latin American Citizens, and the Southridge High and Kennewick High
School Career and Expo Fair.
Board Member Ron Mabry visited Washington Elementary School and shared a
homework assignment with the rest ofthe Board to read 40 books by the end ofthe
school vear.

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Mike Connors reported he attended the Kennewick High School Career Expo Fair.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Policies Protecting Asainst Discrimination and Ensurine Safe Environment
Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce reviewed the laws and policies protecting students and staff,
along with training and prevention offered in the district and penalties for violation.

Following the Board discussion, Dr. Pierce noted that she would follow up on Board
questions related to safety and discipline.
Strateeic Goal Report: All students are safe. known. and valued

Matt Scott, Assistant Superintendent of K-l2 Education; Rob Phillips, Assistant
Superintendent of Elementary Education; Rhonda Pratt, Director of Secondary
Education; and Eric Bruce, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, presented school-level
goals and efforts, district-level facility safety and security focus, and district-level student
social-emotional well-being efforts.
Strategic Goal Report: The district is innovative" proactive. and accountable

Enrollment Update

Vic Roberts, Executive Director of Business Operations, presented current and historical
student enrollment data.

Capital Budeet Update

Mr. Roberts reported a beginning Capital Projects Fund balance of $54.7M, showing
revenue at $11.7M and expenses at $44.2M, Ieaving an ending Capital Project fund
balance of $23.7M.
Board discussion followed.
Caoital Projects Update
Ryan Jones, Capital Projects Manager, reported the following projects as completed:
Amistad Phase II; Tri-Tech core Growth: Kennewick High School (Phases I and II);
Kamiakin High School Addition; Southridge High School Addition; and Highlands
Track. Mr. Jones presented information about Phase III ofthe Kennewick High School
project and shared the schematic design for Ridge View Elementary.
President Connors announced a five-minute break at 7:54 p.m.

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The Board reconvened at 8:01 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS
Policv No. 4122. COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Lansuage Access. First Reading

Matt Scott presented a new policy required with the passing ofHBl153 during the last
legislative session.
Motion by Diane Sundvik to approve Policy No. 4122, COMMUNITY RELATIONS:
Language Access for first and second reading.
Seconded by Gabe Galbraith.

Roll call

vote:

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

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Motion carried 5-0.

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

A. Strategic Goal Report: All community members are important collaborators

o Communities in Schools
o Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia
. Corffnunity Education

B. Sfategic Goal Report: All students are ready for their future

r Graduation Rates
. Dual Credit Rates
r Middle School Algebra Participation

Mr. Mabry asked that the Board add the discussion regarding a Kennewick School District Booster
Club to the next meeting.

OTI{ER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
WSSDA General Assembly Discussion
Ms. Sundvik shared that, to her knowledge, the Board has not received the link for voting on
legislative priorities from the WSSDA General Assembly. Ms. Sundvik shared that once she
receives the information, she will get the information to all the Board members.

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Page 6

EXECUTIVE SESSION
President Michael Connors announced an end to the business portion ofthe meeting at 8:09
p.m. and moved the Board into executive session per RCW 42.30.110 (l) (i) to discuss a
legal issue for approximately 30 minutes. Mr. Connors noted that no further formal action
would be taken. The executive session began at 8:29 p.m. At 8:59 p.m. Mr. Connors
extended the executive session for an additional 20 minutes. At 9: l9 p.m. Mr. Connors
extended the executive session for an additional 20 minutes.

OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW.

Mr. Connors reconvened the regular session ofthe Board at 9:38 p.m. There being no
further business, the Board adjoumed at 9:38 p.m.

Approved: October 26, 2022