2023-02-16-minutes.pdf

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Nooksack Valley School District #506
NV District Office
3326 E Badger Road
Everson WA 98247
Regular Meeting
February 16, 2023
Visitors
Judy Meixner
Dusty VanMersbergen
Jessica VanMersbergen
Andy Vanieperen
Tonia Vanieperen
Kristen Nygaard
Brian Johnson
Elizabeth Delange
Dylan Burke
Malia Reynolds
Brittany VanDiest
Cassandra Bosch
Ryan Steward
Madison Steward
Katie DeVries
Lacey DeLange
Lauren Scheffer
Michael Scheffer
Halle Benner
Administrators
Megan Vigre
Kim McGee

Corey Hammond
Jackie DeVries
Brittney Biondolillo
Kaitlyn Biondolillo
Patti Burke
Kim St Lawrence
Jonathan Jackson
Kara Zylstra
Hawley Zylstra
Krista Brisky
Kyle Hopkins
Tom Meixner
Marisa Pluschakov
Raegan Burke
David Burke
Krista Burke
Hanna Ordos
Bob Burke
Tom Jackson

Directors
Steve Jones, Chairman
Jason Heutink
Mark Olson
Halli Kimball
Cheryl Thornton

Matt Galley,
Supt./Secretary

CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Nooksack Valley School Board of Directors was called to order by
Chairman, Steve Jones, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
MINUTES APPROVED REGULAR MEETING
Mark Olson moved, and Cheryl Thornton seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January
19, 2023 regular meeting.
M.C. 5-0
COMMUNICATIONS


Supt Galley presented Jason Heutink with his 5-year service award and thanked him for his
dedication to the Nooksack Valley School District.

Regular Session
February 16, 2023
Page 1 of 4

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Katie DeVries shared concerned perspectives of homeschool parents and reasoning for pulling
their kids from NVSD. Curriculum choices and stance on transgender students were named as
two of the most common reasons.
Tom Meixner shared concerns about transgender students participating in athletics, his
opinions on the status of Title IX, and his disappointment in the transparency of the school
district.
Madison Steward and Raegan Burke shared their concerns about the future of sports and the
potential for women to lose opportunities.
David Burke, Krista Burke, Bob Burke and Cassandra Bosch also shared concerns about their
children’s rights, opportunities, and safety.
Hannah Ordos shared the complexities of the issues of gender dysphoria and concerns about
overly affirming and labeling.
Tom Jackson spoke on behalf of transgender youth and the importance of them being able to
participate and be accepted for who they are.
Kyle Hopkins wanted to state for the record he opposes transgender youth participation in
sports.
Discussion by numerous meeting participants ensued and ended with Board Member Jason
Heutink and Superintendent Galley thanking everyone for their comments.

EMPLOYMENT FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR APPROVED
Jason Heutink moved, and Halli Kimball seconded the motion to approve the hire of:


Annette Quarre, temporary leave replacement, Teacher, Nooksack Valley Middle School
o Effective 02/06/23 through 06/16/23
M.C. 5-0
ACCEPT THE RETIREMENT WITH GRATITUDE
Cheryl Thornton moved, and Mark Olson seconded the motion to accept the retirement with gratitude
of:
 Scott Conner, Teacher, Nooksack Valley High School
o Effective 08/31/23
M.C. 5-0
RESIGNATIONS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR APPROVED
Halli Kimball moved, and Cheryl Thornton seconded the motion to approve the resignation of:


Derek Stanbro, Mechanic, Nooksack Valley Transportation Department
o Effective 03/03/23
M.C. 5-0
TEMPORARY LEAVE FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR APPROVED
Mark Olson moved, and Jason Heutink seconded the motion to approve the temporary leave of:



Lauren Olson, Be the One Mentor Coordinator
o Effective 03/19/23 until 06/16/23
Angela Prosser, School Psychologist

Regular Session
February 16, 2023
Page 2 of 4

M.C. 5-0

o Effective 04/10/23 until 06/16/23

POLICY 3424-OPIOID RELATED OVERDOSE REVERSAL
 First Reading
 The board engaged in a brief discussion about the availability of Narcan (or equivalent generic
drug) and the importance of this policy. It will be placed on next month’s agenda for a second
read and recommended for approval as currently written.
POLICY 3411-ACCOMODATING SEIZURE DISORDERS
 First Reading
 There was little discussion, and this policy will be placed on next month’s agenda for a second
read as currently written.
APPROVE RESOLUTION No. 10-SKILLS CENTER
Cheryl Thornton moved, and Jason Heutink seconded the motion to approve Resolution No. 10Skills Center
 Supt. Galley briefly explained the process of gaining approval for a Whatcom County Skills
Center and the need for neighboring district support.
M.C. 5-0
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Matt Galley gave a brief report on the following:
 Juul lawsuit – The district should expect a settlement package at next month’s meeting.
 Social Media Lawsuit – The district has the opportunity to join a second lawsuit that alleges
social media companies are responsible for the adverse mental health impacts our youth are
facing as a result of screen time. The board will make a decision at next meeting.
 Therapy Dogs in Schools – The board engaged in a brief discussion on therapy dogs and asked
district administration to gather more information about specifics and logistics at the next
meeting.
VOUCHERS AND PAYROLL PAYMENT APPROVED
Vouchers audited and certified by the auditing officer and those expense reimbursement claims
certified as required by law have been recorded on a listing made available to the Board.
As of the 16th of February 2023, the Board on a motion by Jason Heutink and a second by Cheryl
Thornton and a unanimous vote does approve for payment, the payroll, and the vouchers included in
the presented list and further described as follows:
General Fund Check Number
General Fund Check Number
General Fund Check Number
Capital Fund Check Number
ASB Fund Check Number
General Fund Check Number
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session

Regular Session
February 16, 2023
Page 3 of 4

135641 to 135646;
135647 to 135663;
135664 to 135728;
135729 to 135737;
135738 to 135759;
135760 to 135832;

total
total
total
total
total
total

$658.48
$403,993.73
$196,671.66
$221,919.96
$16,929.56
$237,048.49

OTHER BUSINESS
 The board briefly discussed updating the recognition board for the new space and that the
grandfather clock should be fixed.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 pm

______________________________________
Chairman of the Board

Regular Session
February 16, 2023
Page 4 of 4

______________________________________
Superintendent/Secretary