Washington Central Unified Union School District - September 2, 2026 [WCUUSD]

We will call the meeting to order at 6:27. Uh before we you know I want to there's a little bit of a clarification that I need to make. So welcome tonight and we look forward. I don't think I'm muted. Just a minute now. I think I'm muted. Um, we look forward to spending time together to talk, learn, listen, and be together. Let me just get that part turned off. Before we begin our conversation though, I wanted to address some mistakes that were made in a recent conversation. It was with my conversation with Dave Delore from Times Argus. Um, and the experience has reinforced for me the importance of being as specific and clear as possible in my answers so that we can help prevent misunderstandings. So, the article that was published today in the Times Argus was inaccurate. In the conversation with Dave, I had restated that the candidates from the original search for a superintendent had withdrawn from the process. He was also referring to the front porch forum post that had gone in as well. Um and that you know we had heard uh in addition to that we have heard from several uh interested potentially interested experienced superintendent for an interim situation. Uh in my conversation with Dave when he was clarifying about candidates withdrawing I had a firm idea of what was in my head. he had a firm idea of what was in his head. They weren't the same. And if we had simply stated some names, it would have been very clear uh where our misunderstanding was. And so he was operating from uh the belief that the statement I had made about those two candidates withdrawing meant those two interested um super experienced superintendent who uh we had mentioned previously being interested in an interim. they are still interested. We needed to legally also advertise this position since it changed from wanting that permanent um one-year renewable. It was now an interim for our school year only to get us through the next few, you know, the school year into the next few months. Um but that wasn't both of us went down different paths as we had our conversations seemed to make sense and if we had either one of us stated a name it would have been clear that we were talking opposite. So I want to assure everyone that uh we are an excellent place to be. We are working hard. we have great assets and great um resources available in our leadership teams within our buildings in our central office leadership team and that we have we are still continuing that work of exploring uh an interim to get us through this year so that we can then restart that process. So I just wanted to make sure that that was stated very clearly. I also know that, you know, moving forward, I will make sure that my answers to questions, particularly those that connect to people in processes that they're as clear as I can make them. Um, and that we will continue to work together through this transition and it begins tonight and we were I look forward to us working um together. Before I turn it over to uh Jen and Alicia who will start us, I there is a I do need a motion to adjust the agenda to add under 3.2 where it says the ballot language. We also need to um approve the warning language as well. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. So ordered. All right. You were going to do that. >> Yes. So, yes. So, we're beginning what we're calling collaborative conversations. This was an idea that started with a brainstorming around how do we frame up the ability to get a lot of information shared amongst us that connect our communities and connect the board with the learning and the instruction and the planning that goes into our schools. And so I had a suggested idea of ways to do a rotation and um but we weren't sure if it would work. We weren't sure if it would be the right fit. Um Jen and Alicia have worked their magic to structure something up. We're going to try it out. Um and then we will see if it is a format that we can tweak a little bit, make it work. Um and then go from there. And it will be if if we do like this plan then we will be moving forward with monthly having these opportunities to focus on different work that's going on district level, school level and how does that inform us as the board around budget needs, policy needs and and financial needs. And so that is the hope of what this is so that we all work together. we all inform each other about what our questions are, what our thoughts are, and then that will also then connect to the next month where we get the answers to those questions from those who are doing the work. And so that was the uh the spark behind it. Uh and we have lots of learning we're going to do tonight. And so we'll be gathering feedback around that. So >> great. So, as Diane alluded to, the purpose of this work is really rooted in our core beliefs as a school district and um through our strategic plan, specifically aligned to our third goal, which is to foster and commit to responsible leadership and um to engage the community and to be transparent in our communication. We also really want to make sure that we're doing some learning together, that we're engaging the community, and that ultimately that's going to increase our productivity. So, Alicia and I have been thinking about this and we've designed this process. We're going to talk you through it in a bit, but we're going to set a little bit of context for everybody around a topic and then we're going to engage in deeper learning. We're going to try to draw that through line between what's happening at the district level, what's happening in our schools, and what's happening at the board. And then we'll do some work synthesizing what we've heard and thinking through some implications. We'll debrief and we're going to want some feedback from everybody. Tonight is going to be a little bit different than what we're going to typically um experience and that's because we're sort of beta testing this model. So, first and foremost, uh, community, thank you for showing up. We had no idea who was going to be here. We're so glad you're here. And we have what, 27 people or something like that online. Um, and virtual participants. Thank you for being here as well. Uh, we are going to talk a little bit about norms and agreements in another slide or two. And it's going to be important to attend to our virtual participants as well. So our norms the first norm that we want to elevate is um directly from the school board's norms itself and that is to respect each other to listen to allow each other to be heard to share concerns to assume positive intentions to be present to focus on shared solutions and to celebrate successes. There were a few things that um that we wanted to to offer as well. One is in the world of instructional coaching and leadership coaching, we talk about maintaining a stance of curiosity versus a stance of judgment. And so we're going to invite you all to maintain a stance of curiosity as you're learning about how these topics play out at the district level and at the board level tonight. We also want to be kind. We have students with us right now. They're going to be watching us and learning from our every move verbally and non-verbbally. And so, it's going to be really important that we are kind with each other just as we're teaching our children to be kind to each other. We want to offer each other grace. I think it's important to know that this is the very first time that we're doing something like this in this way. We've done a lot of planning and a lot of preparation as a leadership team and um and with the steering committee and there are bound to to be things that go better than we could ever have expected and there are bound to be things that go worse and they're bound to be discoveries that we make that never even occurred to us walking into this room tonight. Virtual participants, that's where I'm going to ask you especially for some grace. We have um we have Suzanne Gan, our business administrator, is going to um monitor the virtual participation. She's going to share some of the district work and we're going to invite our principles to each come in and it's probably going to be a little choppy. Um so just expect that and just know that at the end we're going to do some debriefing together and your feedback's going to be really important as will be the feedback of those of you who are physically present as well. And then the final thing I want to offer is just being mindful of others. We're going to be in breakout spaces. We're going to have to manage ourselves a little bit during this time together. And just know that lots of people probably have lots of questions that they want to ask. And so just like um at an open house which is right around the corner in our schools, we won't wouldn't monopolize the teachers time then or talk about our individual kids or situations then. We're going to approach tonight in the same way. So, typically, um, this would be an agenda. We'd spend about 15 minutes just sort of introducing and giving you some context about what we're talking about, and then we would engage in three rotations. a rotation to learn about whatever the theme is at the district level, a rotation to learn about how that's playing out at the school level, and then a rotation to learn about what that means at the board level as well. And then we'd come back together and do some debriefing and offering feedback. But tonight, because we're sort of beta testing this, we're going to do two rotations instead of three, and they're going to be a little bit longer. So what I'm doing right now is setting the context, introducing you to this whole concept. Overall, we're going to do two rotations. Um, one will be focused on the district level work and the second will be focused on what's happening in the schools related to that topic. And then we're going to spend a little bit longer doing the debrief and the feedback. We want to debrief not only what you're hearing about tonight's topic, but also um how this whole thing went because I think some things are going to go well. I think some things are going to have some room for improvement and we're going to strive to do better next time around. Okay. I'm going to talk a little bit about the logistics. Board members, in front of you, you either e either have a red or yellow card. and those in the audience here on the table when we break up in just a few minutes, there's a basket. It says, "Please take one. If you haven't, just grab a color card. You're either going to be red or yellow." Um, in future meetings, uh, if this all goes well this evening, there's going to be another color and that's blue. Um, so there will be three colors to pick from. What that's going to look like when we break up in a typical meeting, there will be a timer set for 15 minutes. If you have the red card, you are going to go to the district tables first and you are going to hear from our central office administrators about work that's happening in the district around that topic. There's going to be a common set of questions and those questions are up here. What questions do you have? What do you notice and what strikes you as significant? When the timer goes off, if you are in the red, you are then going to switch and go to the yellow group. If you are in the yellow, you'll switch and go to the blue and so on. that will happen. Those three rotations, the blue won't happen tonight, but again, there will be presentation, likely handouts and things for you to take with you and a time to go through these questions in each of the three rotations on a typical evening over 15 minutes for a total of 45 minutes. Tonight, it's going to look like two rotations of 20 minutes. And for those online, I'm going to get to you in just a minute. Um, so if you have a red card in your hand right now, you're going to go to the district and you're going to hear from Jen and Julia and Heidi or Suzanne if you're online. And if you have a yellow card in your hand right now, you are going to go to one of the tables. There's table tents. There's a Rumny Dodie table, a U32, a Callus, a Berlin, and an Eastmon Pillar. You're going to want to spend your time. I think of this, if you have the yellow card in your 20 minutes, I think of this kind of like a science fair where it's okay if you spend a few more minutes at one table and a few less minutes at another table. Um, one thing that you can expect from all of us at the school level is there's a double-sided piece of paper that has a very common template where we have provided information from each of our schools. Um, what it looks like and it's a little bit different. So, if you didn't get to one table in your 20 minutes and you still would like to know, hey, what happened at East Melar? I didn't get to that table. You can come and take a a hard copy. Um, so you can take a look at that later. The topic for this evening because it's the beginning of the year, um, is around our inservice days, which we just had four of, um, the start of school and our professional learning plan for the school year. So whether you're at the district table or any of the school tables, that's the theme and the topic you're going to hear about this evening and get to learn a little bit more about. If you are online and virtually, Spencer is going to share with you a link in the chat as soon as we break up and to go into these groups and that has all of the um what would be the hard copies from all of the schools and the district. So, you can also have those materials. Um they'll just be electronic and principles know when to step away and to step in. We're going to join Suzanne. Each of us is going to join Suzanne for a certain number of minutes. So those of you who are online, you will get a chance to hear from all of us um in all of the schools as well as the district. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> One and I'll just say one other thing. We will after the two 20 minute sessions, we are going to come back together. There's one final slide and that's the kind of the debrief and giving us feedback for how um this went and how we could possibly make it better in the future with other topics. So, on your mark, get set, go. >> We're going to come back to uh debrief and share. >> So, I'll turn it over to you, Jan, and Alicia. >> So, we're going to spend just a couple of minutes um talking about these four bullets up here on the um on the board. And for those virtual, I think you can see them as well. the first question and we open this up to the board and um also would love to hear from those participants in the community the possible opportunities and implications for our districts. So we just spent the last 40 minutes talking about both at the district level and at different school level what did the start of school look like? What did inservice days look like? Um what is our professional learning for the year? what are some challenges and things that we're still working on? So, love to hear from board members and those who participated. Um, if this were to go forward and to continue, what are some opportunities and implications? Um well a couple like sort of housekeeping subjects I think one would be um the ambient noise in the space is really important I think observe and uh manage for um and I don't know if like you know fabric dividers like screens could be placed between conversational groups if you're all staying in the same space that would be helpful. Finding refrigerator free spaces so on. Um that was one and I think another is um uh being really clear about what this is and what this is not in terms of um because we've had feedback in the past from the community about community fora and do people feel like it's a true dialogue or they're being talked to or they're just observers while the board is being talked to and I think this feels a lot more interactive just organically so and um which is a good thing but also is it still more or less exposure to what's happening in the district or is it the district andor the board soliciting feedback like specific feedback on what could be done better and I don't think there's a right answer I just want us to be clear about it. >> Thank you, Daniel. Other thoughts. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for doing this. >> The bottom at the bottom. >> Oh, okay. Um, thank you for doing this. I think it's it's really great um in a lot of ways. I think um I sent an email to Diane and the board. I think like p publicizing this and and to Daniel's point like what it is and what it isn't is really important and also like uh the online experience I had parents text me who tried to join they didn't understand what this was so they went to join the meeting at 700 p.m. and couldn't get into the meeting you know because of what we're doing. I think if you communicate that better and you're going to need to start at this time and be here at this time, that could work. Um, from the perspective of like wanting current families and, you know, offering child care, so saying this could be for people who have young children. I think an earlier start time would be good because like it's 7, what time is it? 7:30. My kids go to bed at 7:30. So, we're having a late school night right now. Um, that could be a thing. Um, yeah. But I think this and then choosing topics that, you know, tonight was like it's the start of the year. This first time we're doing this, but like to Daniel's point too, if we're going to talk about like really hear people like choose topics that people are going to want to talk about. So like this brought up in our group like technology use in schools like let's talk about that. You know, I think you'll get engagement when you talk about topics that people want to talk about. So yeah, thank you. Thank you for that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I really liked the format a lot and I think it allows for enough flexibility to be able to really hone in on topics and then also give a broader opportunity like tonight felt like. Um I really enjoyed being able to connect with the building principles and learn about what they're excited about, what they're wondering about, even what their challenges are. I think that's super helpful as a board member to understand kind of the whole spectrum of it. So for me it was really exciting and I just I say this all the time but we've got an incredible district and the things that are happening in our schools are really impactful. Um and so it's exciting to get excited about that. So thank you very very much. >> Hi thank you. Um yeah, I was curious to know about selection of topics and if you thought that maybe soliciting ideas for topics would be something that you would consider. Um I just think that um there's probably a lot of curiosity out there u questions that we not even haven't even thought of yet. So, um, that's one thought. And then the other thought I just had actually just sitting here now is how do we us together and um, the school district community um, complete the feedback loop to the the group of people that can't be in the room or can't be in online. How do we summarize the success of what's happening in these sessions and then feed that back to the folks? so that there is a complete circle of understanding. I think that will maybe draw more folks out to participate but also make the larger community feel more included. >> Thank you. >> Oh, sorry, Zach. >> Yeah, I I was going to you partly echo what Elizabeth said about I had a couple of really great new conversations with building principles. I think that was really valuable. Um, I also only got to two out of the five. And so I think that's I think it's also important to recognize that tradeoff. Um, I think it is a trade-off if we don't want these things to be 5 hours long. But um, but I think we we need to be mindful that we're not that that we're not structuring this in a way where you really have to get to every single station or else you miss something really important because I think that's not going to happen in a lot of cases. >> Yeah. Thank you. a couple of reflections back. One is this was this is all a draft, so there's always room for improvement and changes that can be made. Um, and two, I said it earlier and I'll say it again, we did tonight with all of the principles separate just because of the topic, but I I I think in our minds it also we want you to be able to get to everything and and everything will be far less tables um if this were to happen again. Any final? >> So, just >> Oh, >> no. Go ahead. >> I'm me. Um, so just a couple of things. One, building off of what you said, Daniel, about um the ambient noise. I do think too that there um it is great. I don't want anyone to think it isn't great to hear the kids having a great time. That was absolutely wonderful. Um I'm more annoyed by the refrigerator behind me than than that. So um so I'm wondering too though there are some of us who are very distractable and and that so also having just as we had a virtual space having another space potentially where people stay there and others rotate in that might be more um conducive to those who might need it quieter um you know with hearing issues and things like that. The other thing is that wanting to make sure that we have food available at 6 so people can come in. It was great to see the conversations happening and and we as a board were trying to figure out where do we start, when do we start and I think if if we know the meal is 6:00 to 6:30 with a start of 6:30, then we can be mingling more so in that. So I think those were a couple of things I was thinking about. Um so who um is the organizer who will present a topic because we have these are these are the first of every month we have October, November, December. Um and at least one or two of those in my view should be a budget issue. Um and so who would pick the topic that we're going to discuss and you know how will we arrange to get information about the topic out to the community uh in enough advanced time so that there can be um discussion fruitful crucial discussion. >> Yeah, I'm going to take that as feedback not questions. We've written them down and we'll figure that out. the who I think it's it can be a combination of members of the board and members of the leadership team, members of different committees. I think it depends on the topic and who sets the stage for that. Um the other thing that I would say and I don't know that this has been made clear, these right now are slated to happen the first board meeting of the month and those are happening at all of the elementary schools. They won't happen in this building again. Um, they will be on also on a rotation in each of the elementary schools starting in October. >> Someone online's >> I can't see who's on somebody online has Oh, >> it's Kate. >> Kate, go ahead Kate. >> It's Kate. Hi. I don't Can you hear me or No. >> Yes. Um my one feedback that I have is that I know that there have been updates sent especially in the Middle Sex community by Ursula about like schoolboard updates etc about schoolboard meetings. Is there any way that it would be possible to send a instead of using front porch forum instead of instead of that using the districtwide email to send those updates to the whole community? >> We have been sorry we have been um sending them once there's a front porch forum um I request central office to send out through IC. Is that what you meant the infinite campus or a different one? Yeah, that doesn't So, just personally, I don't receive those. I only like I'm only made aware of them through front porch forum. So, I don't receive them through IC, if you will. And and I think that's important just so we can capture a wider audience as we continue to figure out how to, you know, gain a a wider audience. Um, and I'm sorry I missed the be the beginning of this meeting due to soccer and all of that, but I look forward to reviewing the meetings and I also look forward to was there a a review of how from the principles in terms of how the Romney Dodie transition has gone? that was part of one of the school transition uh u rotations there was um Caroline was stationed at a table and that and so um and I wonder if um Spencer you could share that document again so that those who might have come on later uh that way you would see the writeups from all of the um different schools and it would include the write up that Caroline did. >> Okay. And and the one other question that I had was that I had talked to the um the people at the the bus station and what have you in terms of whether or not so the my ride is supposed to like tell us when school buses arrive and depart etc. Right. And it said for this district that it's deactivated. I didn't know if there was any information about that. So, we will later on in the agenda. There is some transportation updates >> because I Yeah, I had some questions about that. Anyway, I'm I'm grateful for you all. We're we're everyone is trying their best. I understand that like we're just trying to make it through, but um I do have some questions about that and some clarifications. Patrick. >> Yeah. My uh question is is this um community discussion in place of um public comment? >> No. >> So what's the SK? So the public comment will be in the um right sorry >> at the end >> at the end of the the meeting. Okay. And then that might be a place to um brainstorm topics for the following opportunity for for um community discussions. But I just want to make sure that that was still on there. So thanks. >> Thank you all. Thank you for your feedback. >> All right. So now we will shift into um our agenda. I have to find it. So in terms of Yes. And thank you all for for coming and for allowing a late night. That's definitely for the I don't have to be around in the morning when it's an early morning. But but thank you. So um the uh career center lease work that has been doing. So, um um sorry, Alicia, if you could update us on what? >> I would be happy to. Since we last met, um I shared some feedback that this board had with our attorney. Chris also had a chance to look over it in a little bit more detail and share some additional feedback with our attorney who made made some adjustments and changes to the lease agreement. Based on that feedback, he has sent that um lease agreement to Shan Tui who represents uh the career center to review. The thing that is still a little bit up in the air, um I've reached out to several realators to get that's the piece that's up in the air. Um to get the um what would be an appropriate um amount to set for the lease and have hit some roadblocks with realators who don't do um land leases. But there are two firms in Burlington who we've been playing phone tag. My hope is um when we come back in two weeks to have more information on that, but the lease itself with the exception of the rate um has been sent to the career center and their attorney to review. >> Thank you. And that leads us into the um the next part which is about the uh ballot question that we would have in November. uh the portion of the ballot which is around the lease. Uh before we discuss that, were there any questions for Alicia about the status of the work or >> Okay, this is related to the question about the ballot, you know, actually, but at what point, you know, thinking about the fact that we h we have to warn this before we have the lease all settled in terms of being able to explain to voters, you know, what what the board is thinking in terms of what they what you know, what we would likely be negotiating if they authorize us to. Do we have a sense of when we would we when we would be able to answer those questions >> about the lease amount? >> Yeah, I would just Yeah. Just be able to say like this is like we have a pretty solid idea now of what the lease is going to be that we didn't have at the time we had to vote on the warning. >> Diane, do you want to talk a little bit about your recent conversation with the career center? My my guess is that there's this is going to be a discussion and hopefully action item at the next meeting. Okay, great. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, and and um and in terms of but with the next uh board meeting is actually after the September 14th date, which is what is the the crunch and what we had learned from legal was that it was okay to say that they authorize the lease, the board to complete the lease, but then that would be able to answer those. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. No, and I I know that's all all legal. I'm thinking about like how to explain this to a voter is saying that most people are not going most people are not going to be tuned into this, you know, like next, you know, you on the 15th going, why don't you have it? >> But, you know, maybe October 15th, they're going to be saying, okay, you're you're asking me this general question. Why you're asking this general question, what are the specifics that you're thinking of? Um, so that that's really where my mind was going in terms of how to how to discuss that after the point where we have to warn it. >> And Denise, I'm noticing that your hand is up, but we have shifted into the board work and so public comment is later on. >> So then, um, Daniel >> Oh, I was I was just going to I appreciate what you're saying, Zach. I think also part of our communication is I think that you know the the financial transaction per se is fairly minor both in terms of cost and benefit exchanged in this relationship and I think it's a it's a it's a big picture partnership and I I don't want to I don't want to minimize the the you know the value the monetary value of the space that we are leasing to them. But it's a there's a much bigger picture that I think we should emphasize and I think a rational voter would also focus on in in choosing whether or not they supported this. >> Yeah. No, no. And and it's not just about the money. It's also about like the what what space are we giving over? What's the plan for that land? like those those are the questions that I anticipate potentially getting that I'm sort of saying I want to be able to answer you know if we do get them. >> Yes. And part of when as we shift into the discussion about the ballot and the discussion about the warning part of it is going to be a joint meeting with the career center. um they would be the ones to really explain about those parts, those details. And that Chris, >> I I do think the what we're talking about in terms of area is pretty clearly mapped out um on a graph that we saw the other night. Um and it's it deals with I think 2.3 acres, is that right? Or a little over two acres of land. Um and um I think we'll we'll know what the lease number is going to be because the career center needs to know too for their purposes. is um and one an important thing to emphasize for the community is that both you have to say yes to both questions in order for it to pass because if you say yes to one and not the other then the project will not pass. So um but all I think that all that information will be available within a couple weeks. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you. So then that um what Jen is handing out right now is a draft warning as well and so that we can be discussing the draft warning and the and the ballot. So the language of the ballot matches the language of the ballot of the um for the career center and it has they have two articles and we and I just realized on the ballot you're going to see we need to correct that to article one. I mean on the warning. So on the ballot um the language like I said was pretty much what has been designated. The key question for us is the term the length of time. And so that's why it's highlighted there. They were suggesting 30 years and it's up to the board to um decide if they want 30 years or and I think the 30-year figure comes out of the bond um that they're looking for and because I think a bank or financial institution would not give a bond if there wasn't a 30-year lease to support it. And so that's why that 30-year figure is in there. That's the length of time that the U career center is looking for for bonding purposes. >> Was it something Andrea that you wanted to share or Chris? >> Oh, no. Just clarification. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Any questions about the ballot? And it and if not, is there Well, actually, is there a motion for the ballot? I would like to make a motion to approve the the the ballot the the the let's see the article the warning. That's the Thank you. the warning as posted in article 2 for 30 years. >> Um a friendly amendment to article one >> to what? It's article one. >> It would change it to article one. >> Oh, sorry. Article one. Okay. Article one. >> Not the second >> is second by Zach. So, discussion about the the warning which has the same language as the ballot and for the 30 years. The one thing I will say about the warning that I was not able to clarify. Um well I want to point out that it is a joint meeting with the career center which is on it's going to be worn for October 6th. The uh polling places and the times I do want to be transparent that we didn't have time to clarify and make sure that those are correct. So the ballot before we would submit the warning we would check with that. So I just want people to be aware of that. But I do have if we approve it, I do have the signature page for us and that would be the only thing that would be corrected to reflect the correct times and locations. >> Any questions? >> Do we need a friendly amendment to you to allow for the polling times to be corrected? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> And is that accepted? >> Yes. Yes. I guess I'm making amend that I second. I don't allowed to do that. >> A question. Um I'm I'm just kind of wondering why why not 30 years. What what would be the benefit for longer or shorter? Like they have to get a bond for some amount of time. That that's the that's the term that they want. Is there any argu is there an argument for for for for changing that number that I'm I just can't I can't figure out. >> Do you mean changing it to less than the bond? >> So the reason the the explanation around it would make it very difficult if we had a lease that was less than the bond because it could create a situation. So other than that that is the only thinking. If you wanted a longer lease you could potentially say longer. Did you want to say something for >> Yeah. They couldn't bond the the bank won't accept the bond basically. That's why. So So it's a hard stop. No. At 30. We can do more. >> Okay. >> We can't do less because the bond bank won't give you because you're doing it 30 years. >> Yeah. So that's why it's not like they're trying to be difficult. It's just you're trying to get a loan. The loan is for 30 years. You can't have a lease for less than 30 years. >> Okay. Other questions? All right. All those in favor of the warning as written with the friendly amendment of the correct allowing for the correction correct polling places and times signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Abstain and >> one up. I have a question Diane. Do you want us coming and signing? Like are you going to designate one of them? >> Thank you Ursula. I would have gone home with that. >> So since I have abstained, do I need to in some legal way sign this? >> I vote. >> You know, Chris, >> no. We just need >> We just need eight signatures. It just needs to go. >> So you don't have to sign. >> I can't hear what was just said. We just need the majority. So, you wouldn't need >> Okay. >> The other um consideration that uh just to be clear on this is we still do not have a district clerk. Um that is one of the questions that's being asked of the administrative assistant whether or not that person can do it. the reality of right now not having that person, it would follow statute and I would be the designated person. So just didn't expect an election in November too. So I was keeping that. So just for people to know. All right. All right. Moving onward. Um, so there was a a question that had been brought up about the steering committee and its um its meetings and whether or not those should be public meetings, should be warned meetings. So, we did want to respond on record around that request. We've checked both with legal council and also reviewed the charge of the steering committee and the committee originated as a way to be sure that all towns were involved in the creation of the agenda. this there is no quorum at the meetings and no actions can be done at these meetings. Our work at those steering committee meetings centers on confirming the agenda and then the manner of the information. So what is the presentation that needs needs to happen to support the work of the agenda. The board has authorized the steering committee to also establish the superintendent evaluation timeline and process, but that comes forward to the board for approval and adoption, review and adoption. So, agenda making occurs on all of our committees and it's not done as public meetings. Most recently, the board did authorize the steering committee to step out of that role of agenda setting and to take on uh a different task of exploring and employing an interim. So that is a different task and will be warned as a public meeting and the work of it because it's personnel and hiring we will move into executive session. But do know that that will be a public meeting and will be and it has been warned. Um so we wanted to make sure that these statements were made on public record so that it's it is noted and that people can feel as though that's been answered. So that's that that's what that agenda item was. All right. So the student board member appointment. So, we do need um a junior a representative from the junior class. Um and I will reach out to to our senior members, too. Um and so, Jen and Alicia, if you wanted to update us on that process. Yes. So, it has been um typical that we have two student board members, a junior and a senior. The junior then comes and joins for two years so that they can mentor and counsel the the next younger person. Um, we have reached out to Elijah Hawk, our U32 principal, to get the ball rolling on the process. So, um, we are just waiting to hear the nuances. I know U32 has established a process for doing this, soliciting interest, and then, um, should more than one person be interested, they have a process in place to make that selection process along with the the current student member. So, we're just waiting for the details and we hope to move that along um maybe as early as our September 16th meeting. >> Do you know if that process is open to all juniors and seniors who may express an interest in serving? >> Um I cannot tell you that definitively, but I think that is indeed the case. I think they put out a call for folks who might be interested. Okay. Yeah. >> Any other questions for Jen or Alicia about that? All right. So, next is the uh the appointment to the act 170 merger study group. There was the description in that. Um I had asked uh if for people to let me know if they were interested in it. That didn't mean that was the only time you could say it. It just meant um the space on our agenda for this discussion. Floor did reach out and express her interest in that. And I just wanted to check and see if there were others who were potentially interested in it. Alicia had lic. I'm looking right at you, Jen. And I called you Alicia. Um, Jen had outlined on that memo information about it and you know the the uh commitment of of it coming up as there is a quick timeline. It it's a long process but with a very quick startup timeline and that. So, are there any other interested board members? And I know that we have two online. Just checking with Julia and with Michelle. So, not hearing any. Is there Oh, did you >> do you need a motion? >> Yes, please. >> Um I I move that we um anoint Smith as our representative on the merger committee. >> Wait. I'm just >> request that Chris use his microphone. >> I thought I did. >> You need to You really need to speak straight into it otherwise I can't hear you. >> Yeah, because I referred to >> I move that we anoint Diaz Smith as our representative on the merger committee. >> You have to give the group number and the district in the motion. >> Group is it group 20? 20. >> Okay. for group 20 >> Washington >> for the Washington Central Washington Central Unified Union School District. >> Second. >> Second by Ursula. Any discussion? >> Um I would like to have discussion um in terms of what um we expect our representative to do and what what the representative's charge is. Um, and what prompts me to to ask this is um is the way the system's set up that the group is going to be making recommendations um before coming back to the board um for potential merger or not. Uh, and what al you know I look at the the description um and it has board to-do list on quite a bit of activity and so what my my question is is the board being kept informed um pretty deta in pretty much detail because this looks like we have a lot to do throughout this process well as well uh unless it's talking about a different board um and I don't know if it is or is not um but it says board to do board to do and and so I would like to at least set some parameters on what we expect um for floor in terms of keeping us informed about what discussions are what information is available uh from the different other members uh in terms of what they're thinking about and information like that just so that it's we're not at the end of the process and are learning about recommendations being made then uh and I don't know if that you see it's just not clear to me how this process will actually I think there's good reason why it's not completely clear because I don't think it's completely clear to be very honest. >> But I think we can create some >> No, I No, I I hear what you're saying and I'm not negating that. I'm just saying I don't you know that that is part of the process of what we're finding out. >> Yeah. I I think what I would add is that >> um there are broad articulations of expectations but then the the details are still being worked out. As Diane said, I think that um what strikes me as a way that the this board could stay really in touch is to have it become an ongoing report and item on your agenda. I think it's really important that you remain engaged in this conversation and so that floor as the appointed member would then be responsible for coming back and sharing what she's learning and getting input to reflect it back um to the to the regional group. And that's how you would stay engaged, I'd say. And first of all, >> Andrew did have his hand up, but >> uh simple point to this would represent a really good opportunity to have a collaborative session about this in a future month. >> Ursula, >> I was going to say on that like board to-do list that's in the like presentation that was there was a really nice webinar that you can go and access and watch the video of too. Um that began gathering the baseline information. My understanding is AOE is working on creating lists that will be given to the administrative like central offices of each of the districts that are part of this merger group for each group um so that they know what they need to gather for information to streamline that process but they're still working on it last I know. >> Yeah. And that's what that's partly what I was going to say. We're involved right now with the agency of education and then there might be more people from the board that need to be appointed to this committee because it might have to be proportional. They're working on that right now if it's going to be a way to vote. What they are asking right now is just to send one representative to start to start those discussions and there's more than likely that depending you're where our ADM right we might have three repres I'm just say it depends with our group 20 how how that would be worked out depending what the agency of education says it will be weighted voted weighted the votes or um representative demographics of our ADM on that vote on that board but what I want to say is When I sent my letter to to my very long email, not letter to poor Diane, it was more, you know, like right now our is not pro against merger is just like really going in understanding our district, going in and asking the the questions and understanding how we, you know, move forward. But it is uh communications like you're saying, Chris, it's is a big part of it. being able to communicate clearly what is happening and not happening. Bring it back to bring it back to the board whether it is going to be just me or a group of three people from the board. There's a lot that needs to be communicated not just not just the best interest of our district but how we work and look at this for you know 20 years to come just like we were doing with with the with the bond with the bond with the career center right so it's just having that perspective of looking at this region and seeing because you know CISAs will be able to do some things the merger committee will be able to do some things and we will be able to give feedback to the legislators too about what is working and not working. There might be things that we need them to change in the law in order to better serve us. So, so there's a lot at stake on this merger committees and I Yeah, >> I agree. There's a lot at stake which is exactly why I I hope where the board is kept informed. Um and so maybe we make a report from the merger representative as a permanent part of our agenda. >> Absolutely. >> Kind of like everything else. >> Yes, that and CISAS. >> Yeah. Right. That's right. Yes. Both are great. Thanks. >> Yes. >> Any other questions? Did you >> Can I share one quick CISA update? It's not >> We haven't done a vote yet. >> Okay, >> Patrick. >> Yeah, I just have one uh comment. I think the Floren, you mentioned the um the potential for um representation. This got sparked it in my my head. Some concern I've heard from folks in that in the con our constituents is that um every with with every consolidation we get farther and farther away from local control. And I would just hope that that there's a lens of of keeping however much however much control over over what happens to to the kids in our in our district that we can that we we look at that lens and and that's kind of um that would be my hope for for our contribution through through you to this um to this committee. >> Yeah. Thank you. Yes. I'm happy to >> any other questions, comments. All those in favor of appointing Flora to the merger committee say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Any abstensions? >> So ordered. >> Thank you. >> All right. So now, yes, you may do your CISA. >> Sorry about that. Um, just really quickly there it's on the website. You wouldn't know this unless you were checking it regularly, but the CISA is having a bylaws committee meeting tomorrow at 3:00. It is an open meeting. If you go to our district website, go to schoolboard and click on the CISA link, you will find the link to that meeting for anyone who's interested. This is the first meeting of the bylaws committee happening tomorrow at 3 at Randolph Union High School, but also virtually. >> Thank you, Alicia. Or maybe I should call you Jen so we can even it out. So, um, moving then to the acting superintendent report. Yes. So in your packet um there was a memo that came out this afternoon at a recent finance committee meeting. The question was raised around transportation and I had shared that I would be happy to do some um gathering of information and compiling it and putting it into one place. It is something that Jen and I have um since August 1 had a lot of correspondence about with community um with administration with families. Um there's a lot of I know feelings out there about transportation right now um especially thinking about some changes that were made at uh Callus and East Melier and Romney and Dodie. Um th this memo doesn't specifically address that, but it does talk more about kind of the processes and the procedures that are in place, how decisions get made, how roots get changed, how cluster stops happen, um and all of that that I felt would be helpful not just for the board, but also for the community to have a better understanding. >> Are there questions for for Alicia? >> Um did someone else go? Okay. Um I think in the memo you said that the three bus um regimen for late buses cost $85,000 and that the consolidation into one there was one bus now and it was a savings of 34,000. So I'm wondering you know I'm terrible at math but if three are costing 80 85,000 why would one cost 51? And I'm wondering if it's just a mileage issue or something else. >> Yes. Um, so it it they um there's they take different metrics when they're measuring the cost for routes. Is it a one-way? Is it back and forth? How many miles? How long? All of those things go into account. That is why the the difference is what it is from 1 to three. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Other questions, Marty? >> Um, does the size of the bus matter and how much it cost? because I remember back in the day when my kids were taking those buses that sometimes that big huge bus would have four kids on it. >> That is still the case. >> Yeah. >> Um to my knowledge and I don't know if anyone here um Suzanne is not in the room. To my knowledge there is only one size bus that we use in this district. And so there the ridership is a factor and there are times when there are the buses are full and there are times when there are fewer than 10 children on a bus. >> But why is it that we only use one size bus when we could be using a van, we could be using a smaller bus, which seems to me u from all the different vehicles I've driven that they could be cheaper. >> Yeah. I'm gonna turn it Michelle who's online, has her hand up and knows far more about Washington Central Transportation than I do. >> Yep. And I'm on the transportation committee for the board. Um, so when we went out to bid for busing, we they they charge us the same price whether it's a full-size bus or a um small bus. It's the same price for the bus. And the small buses do not hold up well on our back roads. They actually fall apart much sooner. Um, and as far as using vans, you have to have a big van. The bus company doesn't have a lot of vans. Um, and their drivers. Um, so we we can't use the smaller vehicles. Why we use the big buses and it's it's the same cost. So, Thank you, Michelle. And I noticed Patrick, you had your hand up. >> I was uh going to make a similar point, but not as thorough as Michelle. So, >> other questions. All right. Any additional information that you wanted to share under acting superintendent? The next item on our agenda is the future agenda items and that is a hyperlink. I apologize. I had worked with Sashley about having those printed out when they're um and again one of the things we've talked about is at our board retreat is when we would uh solidify our work plan and as part of our work plan these items then would go on that. Um it still is showing you know and we will mark off the fact that we've done a point to merger committee about the seessaw. There is still you know and then the lease agreement will be on uh a report on staff vacancies um has been done but is on an ongoing basis. Technology and student achievement is on there. Um and then we also we still have a Berlin board vacancy. I did have one person express interest and I said get me that letter and we can move forward. Um and that and so there was still some difference you know the funding differences in prek. Um also uh just learning about Washington central friends of educa. There's a number of things that are on that hyperlink if people can check on that. The the steps for doing this and for figuring it out. I was hearing a lot tonight about even blending as to what might be part of our collective conversations and that and so um so that's just for people to know. Were there additional Go ahead Patrick. Yeah, if I could add to the list, um I'd like to have a conversation about the um expectations for um specific so for for individual board members communicating to the public about about a ballot measure or or or some kind of thing that's that's out in the in in um in our in our community. I'd like I think we need to have I'd like to see what the laws are. It's like to talk to our attorney and and then and then have our norms and then just have the have the conversation about what the expectations are and and what our behavior should be. So, and then what the consequences are for stepping out of line? >> Any additional Daniel? Uh, one thing that came up um this evening in some of the school groups and has been on my mind also is sort of is the the issue of um equity at the elementary athletics level across our district. and um and a basically a pro proposals or considering alternatives to what the status quo is if we were to generously call it a status quo. >> I also have a similar to that um it was brought to my attention that a lot of new technology was um delivered to Berlin and I think U32 as well. Was it balanced? Is the same amount been given to like Dodie, Romney, Callus, East Montillar? >> So you're asking for basically like a tech like a >> was there equity and how things were distributed? >> Yeah. So um it's not an assumption. Generally speaking, there's a timeline of when they when those things go. So we need to know what that timeline is to be able to check on the equitable distribution of that. >> Okay. >> Other topics. >> Oh, Chris. >> Yes. Um I would like to put um a budget discussion um on our next with the request that um it go with finance committee as well with their next meeting but have a just a sense of what type of budget shortfall we're looking at so that we can start having discussions with our community about what that might mean in terms of programs uh or tax increases. Um and have Susan give a just even if it's preliminary. I know we won't have final numbers for a while. Um, but the warnings that we've been getting for the past 6 months are that it's going to be a very difficult budget year. Um, and I think the sooner we start dealing with what that might be, I think we'd be better informed in our community, we'd be better informed rather than I mean, we're already in September. Uh, and time goes quickly. So I would hope that we would have a report from Susan just a general presentation on what we anticipate the shortfall to be and what we have to do. >> Thank you. >> Additional All right, we'll move into um >> Can I add one? Can I join in Patrick's request about the extent to which board members um give up their first amendment rights to talk about public items? >> So Chris, I'm going to I'm going to have you pause. And it's not to take away your first amendment rights, but it wasn't this wasn't a discussion topic. >> No, no, but I'm joining I'm just saying I'm joining him, that's all. >> My god. Thank you. >> And I would recommend no dessert. >> Definitely. All right. Um, so moving into public comment, please. Um, >> oh, did I skip? I'm sorry. Reflections first. Sorry. So, reflections. Go ahead, >> Daniel. not so much a reflection as more of an announcement which is that um the VSBA uh resolutions committee is having a webinar tomorrow and I guess I'm representing us um with regard to our early college resolution. Um, so if anyone else wants to give feedback or join, uh, or just check in with me to make sure that I've got it straight, um, I would welcome any and all feedback. >> Other reflections, Ursula, >> I was just going to build off of Daniel's comment is that everybody should just go register for the webinar because even if you can't make it, you'll get the you get an email within a day or two with all of the resources. What? >> The time is noon. >> Yep. It's one of their noon webinars. >> Uh on that topic, I'd just like some clarification. We voted on the language of the resolution here at this board. We spent a lot of time deciding what the language would be. And now I don't understand why it is that some other organization is going to um change what we already voted on. So we worked to develop a resolution that we would submit to the VSBA to be adopted as a resolution that they would use to advocate. So the VSBA resolutions are a set of resolutions that they use on a regular basis when they're advocating at the state and the legislature and it helps guide them in their work. So each school district has the opportunity to develop and create and submit a resolution. The VSBA has a resolution committee that reviews it. I think they can come and ask the people who created it questions. So I assume that they reached out to Daniel at one point for any clarifying questions. and they have a process by which they review it and make recommendations. But this is not a resolution we are following. It's a resolution VSBA is following is just one that we developed and suggested to them or would follow depending on the vote. >> The webinar is really helpful. >> Yeah. And the and the the BSBA requested the resolutions from all and the entire state. So all board members across the state vote on them. So it's a pretty democratic process. But my reflection really is cuz I don't want to get in that conversation is one thankful for the conversation that we were able to have with the everybody today and being able to hear from all the principles and the district was such a great way to start the year. So reflecting on that and then just listening to us go through all of the future agenda items knowing that we also have all of this budget. So how do we even in the topics for have conversation I think the memo was suggesting that we focus on on student outcomes which could help us as we focus on our um our budget too. So like so just for us to reflect ourselves as a board how do we narrow that and bring clarity because we can't really discuss all of those future items plus have an inter you know search for an inter superintendent and do so I was just in my mind I was like oh my god so just to reflect all of us any other reflections okay now we can move into public comment so yes so see that Linda is standing up and those online please raise your hand. So Denise I hope you will raise your hand. >> Not yet. >> Yeah. >> I think it's on now. >> All right. Now you're good. Okay. >> All right. Um I I too appreciated the sessions that we had here face to face. I was able to receive some information from people online who said it didn't work at all online. So I think that's uh something that needs to work out better. I think they kind of wanted to feel like they were in the room and they were in a separate room I think and then some of them had trouble getting in. um and they probably didn't have as much exchange with board members or principles as we were able to in this room. So, it's a a problem of trying to run this crazy thing where we have two meetings going on. One is online and one is here. It's hard. Um uh and also I I thought last time we learned that you would be taking roll call votes if you had members online and >> it was if there was a um a a different vote a no vote online so that the uh person taking notes would know. >> Okay. I I I thought it was so that people online could know how everybody voted. So, >> so, so the basic idea is that if it's unanimous, everyone knows how, how everyone voted. And so, typically the way the boards do this is you take you take an initial voice vote and then if it's not unanimous, then you do the roll call so that you don't have to sort of go through a roll call for like everything. Oh, do we want to adjourn? Do we take a roll call? >> So, wasn't there a vote that wasn't unanimous here? >> Yeah. Okay, that that's it. I'm Linda. >> Okay. Thank you, Linda. online. Kate, you're muted. >> I'm not good with this. Yep, here I am. Sorry. Um, sorry, I have my father calling me. I'm just going to un tell him to Hold on a second. So, in in terms of the transportation situation, um I know I was pretty, you know, as many of the board knows, I was pretty concerned. Sorry, turn him off here. Um with the lack of transportation analysis and modeling going into this school year. Instead, it happened the day of. Um, and the My Ride apparently says it has turned off on like active data. If anyone knows anything more about that, that would be helpful to know. But anyway, it says that the kids arrive at Dodie at 8:57, but instead they've often times, several times I will say, they've been arriving at like 9:15, 9:17 a.m. And so that's something that I just want to bring to the board's attention. I don't know if everyone is aware of that. that's concerning to me. Um, so it' be helpful if any anyone could speak to that. >> I'm gonna bend the rules a little bit because we typically do not respond, but I think with the transportation and with the transition, um, even if you're not able to answer the question, can you um, just share what followup would look like? >> Yeah, Kate, I don't This is Alicia. don't believe and I could be wrong. We get a lot of email but I don't know that I am aware of the concerns that you just brought up. I wasn't aware of the myride app um turning off active data. It's something I'd be happy to look into. If you have an email that you've sent, you're welcome to send it to acting superintendent at.org and Jen and I can take a look at it and look into your questions. I don't know the answer to either of those right now, but I'd be happy to look into them. So when I contacted the um the bus company because again they created these cluster stops some of which are like three miles away for certain families right in Middle Sex on top of moving these kids into another whole town and doing this two bus transfer system. Now some of our families need to travel two to three miles away for these cluster stops which is a pretty significant barrier. Um, when I looked on the my ride, it said the district has turned off the active active ride data, whatever. Um, so we can no long we can't see where the bus is and when the kids actually get dropped off. And and so again, and listen, I I understand that this there's so many pieces that we need to figure out, but this is something that is pretty problematic. If these kids are routinely not getting to the school, the secondary school until 9:10, 9:15 on a regular basis, that's a problem that needs to be addressed. And that's a problem that I kind of knew that might be an issue and why I really encouraged the board um to try and do this transportation analysis and modeling before we enacted this. But anyway, I'm sorry. Thank you for sharing that. I'm happy to look into it. I don't I don't know the answers, but I know where I can find more information. It would just be helpful also for like parents to know actually the time when their kids get dropped off, right? And how much educational instruct actual instructional time is being lost every single day. >> Yeah. >> So I'm going to have Zach has a response and then I want to shift us back to our usual format. But go ahead. >> So just a technical response on the active data. This was something that the board you heard I think last year when Alicia was doing only one job. Um the the active data what we were what the information we were given last year is the active data you know comes from a cell network connection and because we have because we have some pretty poor cell you know coverage in a lot of our service in a lot of our district. it would produce really bad data and it's there was real fear that it was going to result in people missing pickups because they you know they thought they knew where the bus was and it wasn't because it had just gone into a dead zone. >> I understand that. So I guess that said it is important for parents given this now two bus transfer system and the fact that middle sex parents and and Worcester families as well were having this. I think it's important to get for families to understand when their children are arriving at school and if it's late and if they're leaving early, etc. Like I think that is fair and and it is not a big ask for us to understand that this this was a big transition and I think as as as a mother of my kiddos I deserve to understand if they are actually because I used to drop my kids off at school at 8:45 and now if they are actually arriving at 9:15 on the bus system this 30 minutes later. >> Yes. Thank you Kate. We'll we'll look into we'll talk check in with Alicia and Jenner on that. And David, you had had your hand up but then you took it down. >> Yeah. Hi, David Lawrence Middle Sex. I just wanted to say because I had asked that very same question about the active ride data like two years ago and uh Mr. Dolinger at the time said he would get back to me and I never heard the answer back and so I was going to ask again like hey but now it's been answered so I took my hand down. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public comments? All right. I believe we have a motion for executive session. >> Yes. Uh, I move that the board enter into executive session to include Heidi Dimmick for discussing uh the employment and performance of specific public officers or employees. >> Is there a second? >> I knew there was second. All those in favor say I. >> Opposed. >> All right. Do we have a motion? >> We do. Uh I move that the board authorized the chair to sign an addendum to the letters of agreement with Washington Central Unified Union School District's acting superintendent extending their term of service retroactive to September 1st and through September 15th of 2026. Second. >> Second by Zach. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. With great gratitude. >> Yeah. And and public very public, thank you for your help in getting us through this transition. You It's been great. Thanks. >> All right. Is there another motion on the floor? >> Second. >> Second by Andrew. All those in favor say I. I. Hi. Heat.