[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6140666,"mediaKeyId","5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3","parentId",5577706,"title","Board advances edits to governance policies GC‑7 and GC‑9 for second reading","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",3790000,"endMs",3960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3&start=3790&end=3960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3/thumbnail_3790000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140666/Washington/Board-advances-edits-to-governance-policies-GC7-and-GC9-for-second-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140666-2fad1d8ed92e2d14744b2231d9e4e53b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005869&Signature=CnfFCyP~3kJrNI3~O36vlPLaPIy5M3DtOEKOz0nsQgi5rFSUveSkgKPyOmeOz2h0svJuf9jzS9oHBWNaHNkz2eA4RRDEL9b4q6vHGuf4oQ8Lpj83CSTPEHvKIOlsH420VKpZNQUkESWUFFlh8f5Y3sJf2g4ZgyvNv~s0zEE8lg6i8-WREYaEY6dyzE5mprFVyAp5RTkr9x6jTcC~xy-VB53IJCuZ7zx0ODXzD7LqPueD~PYJiDulzp1ABKZ4KeHGd~uj23aYTAUKGjM9CWlqI-SxSfvwznY0hc-Zv~jWWLX99BsP-IVGOGYu57lVymgbKrLXDTBP6-B-BGQRu01UxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evergreen School District (Clark)","date","2025-08-13T16:55:28Z","article","The Evergreen Public Schools board on Aug. 12 moved to advance proposed edits to two governance policies — GC‑7 and GC‑9 — for a second reading. Director Perkins presented the edits and said the revisions clarify language around confidentiality and member conduct.

Perkins proposed replacing wording in GC‑7 so paragraph five would read that members \"will maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive issues and information that may compromise the integrity or legal standing of the board, especially those matters discussed in executive session.\" For GC‑9, Perkins proposed changing the focus from \"deal with violations\" to \"address deliberate or continuing violations\" and replacing the phrase \"risks the loss of confidence\" with \"risks eroding confidence.\" He said the wording softens semantics while keeping the policies' intent.

Director Grenwalt seconded the motion to advance both policy changes to a second reading. The board voted to advance the items, and the proposals will return at the board’s next meeting for further consideration. The Aug. 12 record shows no substantive debate beyond the explanation of the edits and the procedural vote to advance the policies.

Discussion versus decision: the Aug. 12 action was to move the proposed policy language changes to a second reading; no final adoption occurred. The proposals remain subject to additional board review and a subsequent vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Directors voted on Aug. 12 to advance proposed wording changes to governance policies GC‑7 (confidentiality) and GC‑9 (member conduct) to a second reading; the changes clarify language about maintaining confidentiality and addressing deliberate or continuing violations.","taxTitle","Evergreen School District (Clark), School Districts, Washington","taxId",14630,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140671,"Evergreen board advances $467 million 2025‑26 budget to second reading amid warnings of cuts and borrowing",1363,1689000,3052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3&start=1689&end=3052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3/thumbnail_1689000.jpg","/articles/6140671/Washington/Evergreen-board-advances-467-million-202526-budget-to-second-reading-amid-warnings-of-cuts-and-borrowing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140671-00308aa36f4c59fb0a9efd7416328e04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005869&Signature=dtA~xSgAjIxjO54Od~5qvV7ik9PApO0Wb-hM2~c8Zso9AUUU8~8Bb8LqThJTKSg-eTp4Oq4LhduPWDwB0rcwk8r3grut9Q1NkXR1F1pQlP2qGnj79H~QG4D9UKYhkc-4uG4uIiXiQAd32n4ZuytLv8Aq8TnrqoKndZP0MOJyHXCIim4ol0j52QJOb0e8Ao4u1C9jgRxotq2Stk1Yw~CV2MjUS7cNbDV2D4tkGuhoX3vjMiXfYDDR5RoNn4zTXPfxAWwdKX~frvCegDHg1vhY7eZm8Fkqbb24J2cgTDGa8mPeRODv4S1M8LcbciRtO8d6jH4-Sw66am~E3l9kil9lgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evergreen Public Schools board on Aug. 12 voted to advance the district’s proposed 2025‑26 budget to a second reading after Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Jacobson outlined revenue declines and multi‑year fiscal pressures that will require reductions or other actions to restore reserves.

Jacobson told the board that the proposed general fund budget is about $467 million and that district enrollment has fallen roughly 5,000 students from its peak about a decade ago. She said the district expects to end the next fiscal year with a projected fund balance of $16.8 million, or about 2.5 percent of expenditures — below the board policy minimum of 5 percent.

Jacobson outlined three primary drivers of the shortfall: declining enrollment, inflationary increases in costs such as insurance and utilities, and inadequate increases in state funding per pupil. She said basic education funding from the state averages about $11,000 per student while Evergreen spends roughly $14,000 per student when basic education program costs are compared with district expenditures. Jacobson said special education costs account for a large share of the gap: the district expects a special education funding shortfall of about $17 million next year, funded currently from levy dollars intended for enrichment.

The CFO said the district began the year with a $32 million fund balance, spent about $10 million more than anticipated in 2024‑25 largely because of higher special education expenditures, and now projects a beginning balance of $22 million for 2025‑26. Jacobson projected ending unrestricted reserves of $10.8 million (2.5 percent) after anticipated deficits and said the board’s policy target of 5 percent will require a financial action plan to restore reserves over several years.

Her four‑year forecast assumed only inflation adjustments (IPD) for salary settlements and projected a path to rebuild reserves that would require roughly $11.5 million in reductions in 2027‑28 (about 62 staff positions) and additional reductions in subsequent years to reach the 5 percent target. Jacobson warned that any salary increases above the state IPD assumption would raise the projected shortfall further — she estimated about $2 million additional cost for each 1 percent above IPD for certificated staff.

Board members asked technical questions about cash flow, vendor payment terms and borrowing. Jacobson said the district may need short‑term interfund loans from its capital projects fund to meet low‑apportionment months and that such interfund borrowing requires interest and must be repaid within the fiscal year; she also described apportionment advances and the use of registered warrants as more extreme steps that carry additional cost.

After the presentation, Director Perkins moved and Director Bocanegra seconded a motion to advance the proposed 2025‑26 budget to a second reading; the motion passed unanimously. The CFO said she will close the prior year’s books in October and return with updated figures and a proposed financial action plan to restore reserves.

Discussion versus decision: the Aug. 12 meeting included a public hearing and board discussion; the board’s advancement of the budget to a second reading is an administrative step, not final adoption. The transcript records detailed financial projections, estimates of required reductions, and potential short‑term borrowing options, but no final staffing decisions were taken at this meeting.","CFO Jennifer Jacobson told the board the 2025‑26 general fund budget is $467 million, with a projected ending fund balance of $16.8 million, a reserve below board policy that will require multi‑year reductions and possibly short‑term borrowing; the board voted to advance the budget for a second reading.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6140676,"Evergreen staff and union leaders press board to resolve stalled contract talks as mediation continues",1534,142000,1676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3&start=142&end=1676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5577706-f321c3edf49c35803b0504f41eedacd3/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6140676/Washington/Evergreen-staff-and-union-leaders-press-board-to-resolve-stalled-contract-talks-as-mediation-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140676-03e779b7bb4eaae4654c5f841d87d416/orig.mp4?Expires=1771005869&Signature=Fpy1ltvPdP96r9IvcRcRNSm6eeiGoyoadSGw~ATCVbp2H2SHsOTz7j9fh8FFf3tikFwOPSRwIDRSdiTT3eMl4Ycun5ZEJLVRG7GFc--LmUerj3-zzDWgWqNtkEdc~1OO7FtMaTFsyZXa4WGMHtr3uCX8RnSKjw8osU9HAJ8Yp5M4HmTM-vo~Q1FppC4~tRbFU0SpyXdvJLHQrgFIaDS4hJpL3yrQ7wsVY0hl3gdBDV9ksmPjuLGHKSkrR2HSlqG3R8yzLGN77cV4UaGt8hdDfShIXai-O4zFcz8f3BQLgBXo1kHjxvKsLY9rWLcbOy1JUcDdHUhBFXBjT-ZP90S42A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Evergreen Public Schools employees and parents urged the school board on Aug. 12 to resolve ongoing contract negotiations, saying delayed agreements and low pay for paraeducators and custodians harm students and force experienced staff to leave. Public commenters included custodial staff, paraeducators and the president of the Evergreen Public Schools Council (PSC), who said bargaining has stalled two weeks before the start of the school year.

The speakers said the dispute affects student services and could disproportionately harm students with greater needs. ‘‘I don't want to deal with the strike because it would affect, it affects our vulnerable populations, special needs kids,’’ said a virtual commenter, Mr. Smith, who asked board members to accelerate work on the PSE contract. Melinda Trofer Cooper, identified in public comment as Evergreen PSC president, told the board that bargaining repeatedly left members ‘‘devalued and disrespected’’ and warned she would not accept talks that do not produce a fair and equitable contract.

The superintendent, Dr. Mahoney, told the board that the district is in mediation with the PSC large group and with the Evergreen Administrators Association (EAA). Mahoney said district negotiators and mediators are working toward new agreements but that decisions will be constrained by the district's financial situation. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Jacobson presented a budget briefing later in the meeting and described significant fiscal pressures, including declining enrollment and reduced state funding per pupil.

Several custodians described household-level hardship and pay comparisons with other districts. Terry Grenier, a day lead custodian employed by ABM at Endeavor, said after two decades with the district he earns $21.10 an hour and that many custodians rely on food banks or second jobs. A commenter who spoke on behalf of Josh Richardson described Richardson as a 15-year ABM employee and a four-year day custodian at Union High School; the commenter said Richardson would earn roughly $4 more per hour working in commercial accounts than as a long‑service school custodian.

Paraeducators also described the effect of turnover on students. Samantha Voller, a special education para at Illehi Elementary, said she makes less than $2,000 a month and that frequent staffing changes prevent the consistent relationships students need. ‘‘When we don't have paras to cover the needs of our student minutes, those kids are losing out on the education and social emotional needs that they have,’’ Voller said.

Commenters and union leaders cited bargaining history and district choices on spending and contracting. Trofer Cooper referenced a previous bargaining cycle in which PSC members worked without a contract for much of the school year and criticized the district’s reliance on outside agencies to fill para positions, saying that approach was more expensive and did not solve retention problems. Board members asked questions but did not take formal action on collective bargaining during the meeting.

Discussion versus decision: the public comment period and superintendent remarks were recorded as discussion only; the transcript shows the district is in mediation but contains no board vote or formal settlement. Several speakers requested that the board prioritize contract resolution before school starts; the superintendent reiterated mediation and cited budget limits as a constraining factor. The board did not direct staff to adopt or change bargaining positions at the Aug. 12 meeting.

The board acknowledged the comments and expressed appreciation for the speakers. Mahoney said the district hopes to reach agreements ‘‘sooner rather than later’’ but emphasized that all financial decisions must support the district’s overall fiscal health. The public record for Aug. 12 contains multiple detailed accounts of pay rates, comparisons with neighboring districts, and descriptions of how staffing shortages affect student services.","Custodians, paraeducators and union leaders urged the Evergreen Public Schools board on Aug. 12 to reach a contract with bargaining units, warning that stalled talks and low pay harm students and drive turnover; the superintendent said the district is in mediation but cited budget constraints.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board advances edits to governance policies GC‑7 and GC‑9 for second reading

Evergreen board advances $467 million 2025‑26 budget to second reading amid warnings of cuts and borrowing

Evergreen staff and union leaders press board to resolve stalled contract talks as mediation continues