2025-26 Agendas, Minutes, & Recordings

The following three policies were being presented to the Board for first reading by Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Business Services Treena Sterk.

The district recommends updates to Policies 5241 and 5111, and the rescission of Policy 5120, as Policy 5111 now encompasses all related content.

• Policy 5241, Reporting Improper Government Action – Last updated in 1995. Revised to identify the correct RCW reference and includes the addition of the phrases, “consistent with the district’s procedures” and “whistleblower protection”.
• Policy 5111, Employment of Staff – Last updated in 1992. Updated to align with current legal requirements, including provisions for:
  • Child support reporting for staff
  • Use of I-9 form
  • Sexual misconduct release forms
  • Background checks for staff and volunteers, with processes ensuring confidentiality
  • Certification requirements
• These updates reflect current practices required by law.
• Policy 5120, Certification – Last updated in 1992. Recommended for rescission, as certification requirements are fully addressed in Policy 5111.

These revisions will be brought forward for recommended adoption at the Board’s November 18 regular meeting.

Executive Director of Business, Finance, and Capital Projects Art Clarke presented  Resolution No. 2025-15, Proposition 1 - Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs and Operations, which was recommended for the Board’s adoption. The resolution has been prepared by District legal counsel to ensure conformity to laws of the State of Washington.

The current four-year Educational Programs and Operations (EPO) levy of the Shoreline School District will expire at the end of 2026. This levy provides the District with 16.5% of its General Fund operating revenue. In order for the District to meet all of its educational programs and operations’ needs, renewal of a four-year educational programs and operations levy is recommended.

The School Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-15, Proposition 1 – Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs and Operations, which authorizes a four-year levy (2027 – 2030) to be placed on the February 10, 2026 ballot in the estimated amounts and levy tax rates, as presented.

Recording

Executive Director of Business, Finance, and Capital Projects Art Clarke presented Resolution No. 2025-16, Replacement of Expiring Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support, which was recommended for the Board’s adoption. The resolution has been prepared by District legal counsel to ensure conformity to laws of the State of Washington.

The current 2022 four-year Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support will expire at the end of 2026. Renewal of the Capital Levy is recommended in order to meet the District’s ongoing technology needs for capital improvements, including but not limited to instructional software and hardware, student and staff computers and other devices, server and network replacements and upgrades including virus and firewall protection, data software and equipment, online curriculum and subscription resources, and staff support and related training. The proposed levy amounts are $3,500,000 more per year compared to the expiring 2022 Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support.

The School Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-16, Proposition 2 – Replacement of Expiring Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support as a four-year levy (2027-2030) to be placed on the February 10, 2026 ballot in the amounts and with the estimated levy tax rates, as presented.

Recording

Executive Director of Business, Finance, and Capital Projects Art Clarke presented about the School Levy Needs Committee Update that was presented to the levy committee, sharing that they agreed with the recommendations for a levy election in February 2026 for a replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O Levy) and replacement Capital Projects levy for Technology (Tech Levy).

Presentation | Recording

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Business Services Treena Sterk presented four policies for first reading. Three of these policies required updates to ensure compliance with current legal requirements. The fourth policy, 5255, Disciplinary Action and Discharge, is a policy recommended by legal counsel and the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).

The District has consulted with WSSDA, District legal counsel, and reviewed applicable state and federal regulations to ensure full compliance. The proposed updates include the following:

• Policy 5223 – Conflict of Interest Updated to align with RCW requirements. This revision clarifies expectations around conflicts of interest while allowing for certain approved exceptions, such as tutoring.
• Policy 5255 – Disciplinary Action and Discharge Newly adopted policy aligned with RCWs. It defines staff conduct that may constitute grounds for disciplinary action or discharge, ensuring that employee expectations and potential consequences are clearly understood
• Policy 5258 – Drug-Free Schools and Workplace Updated to align with RCW standards regarding the possession, influence, and/or use of drugs and alcohol on school property.
• Policy 5259 – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Mandated Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Revised to reflect current RCW and federal legal requirements related to mandatory testing standards.

5223, Conflict of Interest

5255, Disciplinary Action and Discharge

5258, Drug-Free Schools and Workplace

5259, FMCSA Mandated Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

These revisions will be brought forward for recommended adoption at the Board’s November 4 regular meeting.

Recording

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Brian Schultz, Assessment Coordinator Heather Stroh, and Academic Reengagement Teacher Jennie Blockhus provided further context and understanding of the District’s current policies, procedures, and in-practice application of policies. They presented current disciplinary data and the role of academic reengagement in providing equitable access to education during long-term and emergency removals.

Presentation | Recording

New permanent student discipline rules took effect in July 2025, prompting the District to review its student conduct policy and student discipline policy and procedure. Policy 3300, Policy 3310, and Procedure 3310P were reviewed and revised to make them consistent with the new student discipline rules. Legal counsel recommended no revisions for 3300P. Additional revisions to Policy 3310 and Procedure 3310P were made to more closely align the policy and procedure with WSSDA’s model student discipline policy and procedure (3241 and 3241P).

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Brian Schultz and Attorney Josh Halladay of Porter Foster Rorick LLP presented the revisions to the School Board for a first reading. Policies 3300 and 3310 will be brought forward for recommended adoption at the Board’s October 21 regular meeting. Board members were encouraged to provide any suggestions for further revisions by the end of this week so they can be included in the October 21 board packet.

Presentation | Recording

The Shoreline School District Alternative Learning Experience/Parent Partnership Program is called the Home Education Exchange (HEE) and is housed at Aldercrest Learning Center. During the 2024-2025 school year, HEE served 122 K-8 students from 72 families. As a hybrid/homeschool program, HEE provides a full complement of curriculum to families and engaging on-site classes in Math, Science, Literature, Writing, Art, Music, Drama, and STEM. We also enjoyed two all-school EXPO nights, with a wide array of performances by our classes and students. At a future Board Meeting, we hope to provide a performance by our amazing HEE Choir!

Jonathan Nessan is the Program Director and Lead Teacher with Laura Brown, Patricia Kreemer, office manager April Sargent, and five part-time HEE Coaches. The program provides a unique and valuable service of hybrid home/school learning both inside (56%) and outside (44%) Shoreline’s boundaries.

Mr. Nessan requested to present information on the program at Tuesday’s meeting as part of his required annual report to the Board of Directors.

Presentation | Recording

The District and Shoreline Education Association (SEA) reached a tentative agreement at 3:00 AM on August 29, following more than 23 days of negotiations. This three-year contract (2025–2028) was ratified by SEA members with 96% approval on Tuesday, September 2, and is now being presented to the Shoreline School Board for approval. In addition to compensation increases of 0.0 (+IPD) in year one; 0.5% (+IPD) in year two; and 1.0% (+IPD) in year three, the agreement strengthens working conditions and addresses student-focused learning needs.

Key highlights of the Tentative Agreement (TA) include:

• Class Size and Staffing: Class staffing allocations in grades 4–12 will return to 2023–24 levels or lower. Workload relief is also provided in K–5 music and PE.
• Special Education Support: Additional resources are dedicated to elementary special education, including support for resource room teachers and reasonable staffing standards for Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists. A new 0.6 FTE Assistive Technology position will also be added over the life of the contract to help students and staff use communication and other technology tools to access curriculum.
• Professional Practice: Language updates align teacher evaluation with OSPI standards; clarify K–2 assessment schedules; and strengthen professional development opportunities. This includes early-release time to support districtwide professional development, while balancing educators’ needs for individual preparation and collaboration. New teacher training and mentoring support, as well as training for substitutes are also included.
• Leave and Employment Protections: Leave provisions (medical, religious, and personal) were updated to align with state law. The Reduction in Force (RIF) process was revised to ensure clear, consistent procedures if staff reductions become necessary.
• Equity Commitments: The agreement adds annual allowances for library support materials at Title I elementary schools, updates language affirming the district’s commitment to racial equity, and establishes stipends for school-based teams to engage in equity-focused work that ensures access and support for all students.
• Cell Phone Use: SEA and the District also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) committing to “Cell Phones Away for the Day,” which will inform the District’s ongoing development of a comprehensive cell phone policy

This agreement reflects the shared commitment of the District and SEA to support educators, improve working conditions, and strengthen learning environments for all Shoreline students.

The School Board voted to adopt the tentative agreements as presented.

Tentative Agreements, Part 1 | Tentative Agreements, Part 2

In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5462 requiring districts to update instructional materials policies based on a revised WSSDA model by October 1, 2025. In response, our district has revised Policy 2311 to align with the model, adding formal definitions, standardized categories of instructional materials, and clearer distinctions between Board and staff responsibilities while maintaining consistency with existing practices where possible.

District Academic Officer Mike VanOrden presented the recommended policy revisions, which will be brought forward for recommended adoption at the Board’s September 23 regular meeting.

The administrative team has separately updated Procedure 2311P to align with the WSSDA model procedures (2020P). A summary of those changes, along with the updated procedures, will be shared with Board members in Friday Briefings. The policy and procedures have been reviewed by legal counsel as well.

Policy 2311 with Suggested Revisions | Recording