[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6464439,"mediaKeyId","5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375","parentId",5783774,"title","District introduces new director of special services and the 2025–26 student board representatives","audioSeconds",98,"startMs",41000,"endMs",139000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375&start=41&end=139","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375/thumbnail_41000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6464439/Washington/District-introduces-new-director-of-special-services-and-the-202526-student-board-representatives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464439-99f2d0e34a0c9729f54d58973cf37d83/orig.mp4?Expires=1775049283&Signature=L8pDgyxiQ7qb2WhC-Hgy4AAeIKSuUSzHgCoeCuyNGKDbZINliQRV6YXA9CYJg7Dy1qmBh2ZHtdsxBC41gbYGquKCXBk95CGZPQ-bRzjBizHRnmymHvW-yih0FqDUMf5yQAbL4zIgC7NP07idYsoSYOslQ5KlxoYKmLP7U4Z~78mFgdna5AAEB6QW7~GaRrMhGUycCkfU9yfwOk-bkgmv1fWiddJvAkmTjrRTHnjMFLb8qEDSUL1W4NzW67FPkA7mTWo8fr94sV7ZhpaN1~0WCH8Y~gnKoxuBdJztiqwGu0~KsTnJTMyWSIWiR4lGRMbNqBm-sNLhkeMr5NG-U9mqrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah School District, Washington","date","2025-09-12T04:17:09.51Z","article","Issaquah School District officials on Wednesday introduced Jen Casarino as the district’s new director of special services and welcomed the 2025–26 cohort of student board representatives.

Doctor Shereen Carver introduced Casarino, saying: “I am pleased to introduce to you Jen Casarino, our new director of special services. Miss Casarino brings over 2 decades of distinguished leadership in public education with specialized experience in special education, early learning, and inclusive program development.” Casarino, addressing the board and student representatives, said: “It's a pleasure, to be here, and I'm so very, excited to be a part of this team.”

The board also introduced the student representatives for 2025–26 from each comprehensive high school and Gibson: Milo Walsh (Gibson), Micah Payow (Gibson), Ava (Issaquah High, returning rep), Rex Garner (Mishka High), Krish Parashar and Laya Dilip (Liberty), Nila Natarajan and a Skyline junior (Skyline). Student representatives spoke briefly about their priorities for the year; for example, Milo Walsh said he hopes the board continues the push for financial literacy and other life skills.

Why it matters: the director of special services heads programs that serve students with disabilities and coordinates early learning and inclusion initiatives; a named leader signals administrative continuity. Student representatives act as liaisons to the board, providing regular student perspective in board meetings and participating in board work sessions.

Next steps: Casarino will transition into the director role while district leaders said Dr. King will transition into the integrated director of MTSS role. Student representatives were thanked for participating in a pre‑meeting onboarding session and invited to participate in upcoming board town halls.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah School District Board Meeting 9/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent and district officials introduced Jen Casarino as the new director of special services and swore in student representatives from the district's high schools and alternative programs.","taxTitle","Issaquah School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14813,"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},6464443,"Board, students weigh 'profile of a graduate' changes; students urge life‑skills and flexibility",229,488000,717000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375&start=488&end=717","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375/thumbnail_488000.jpg","/articles/6464443/Washington/Board-students-weigh-profile-of-a-graduate-changes-students-urge-lifeskills-and-flexibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464443-6478e71e7ba0029faafb968cf0095bb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775049283&Signature=azyAAcKkXpgOrNRuHSk6yntJBOoy5qYE5Ix3c2A8Cf8XsjRBITrABm2Ru-rwcUtJDaQtAHFRVzps-PPVYjqssp~1De7dMqxvoVmJbVwNIhcRE3asDD2toldALy7EtxbXmPmj7aeQmQDrcHtS6nOaiH-pfX59TyKB-Xj1OkNnotEouPtdEN24mzMNkLUA9xXvYERaLXtD-PoTLft16itVGuODuElYY5yfRg6FE0lYGmV9K4yzEJztm3RItg1RcfEp1OZboPKh0P~WSBRe5Hx13WBvgEvd3T6v1HdnKZSVz9qI4kBvBNdMvTiUXG8iMuLdYJEaOVfyUa4Mde2xfs-bXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members and student representatives on Wednesday reviewed a recent work study about a potential new state approach to graduation requirements and discussed local implications for Issaquah students.

District leaders said the State Board of Education is reviewing a revised “profile of a graduate” and hopes to have legislative recommendations by 2027; Dr. Randy Spalding from the State Board attended the earlier session, the superintendent said. Board members said the district is considering ways to incorporate more life skills and mastery‑based learning while preserving academic rigor.

Student voice: several student representatives who attended the work study told the board they support greater emphasis on life skills such as financial literacy and flexible credit units. Milo Walsh, a junior at Gibson, said he “really appreciated that and the fact that we're talking about making sure that our students know real world skills, like financial literacy, and are able to do all these, like, scary adult things, just, like, right off the bat.” Ava (last name not specified), a senior returning student rep, said moving away from semester‑as‑the‑unit could let students take both personal finance and rigorous coursework without choosing one over the other.

Board context: Director Taylor said the district has been discussing how to grant more flexibility in graduation requirements, and Director Mullins raised the idea of redefining credit units into smaller time units to allow incremental learning. The superintendent said the board had set policy “what” statements on desired graduate results and that the work study gives more concrete language to help the district plan and engage the community.

Next steps: the board plans town halls in October to gather wider community input and indicated it will continue public engagement and internal planning as the State Board’s work proceeds toward potential legislative recommendations.","Board members and student representatives discussed a state work‑study about a ‘profile of a graduate’ and possible changes to graduation requirements aimed at adding life skills, mastery approaches and flexible credit units.",{"_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},6464448,"District opens levy advisory committee, says three renewal measures under consideration",95,2236000,2331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375&start=2236&end=2331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375/thumbnail_2236000.jpg","/articles/6464448/Washington/District-opens-levy-advisory-committee-says-three-renewal-measures-under-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464448-fe8abbb45c9d80511d87cbcf66752fc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775049283&Signature=fU6J6O5K0BmiBlbs~JFJh8g56NCLDSBGsyG-aoQPwe02TJkJmKNnDTfMkkhFyuxDOFOtPZRmFvriwwyVGnNRNTYLgzwvlPYdGcl570E4l4Tclk5AWWQEPDtPwhZg9loyGpRV8woNPOAfUPSA68JFXeu6hh-TbIMiRs-12AqcdSTkJGuM0SqH6MX~p9YlyvaDnBS4M56dFE6gzx5LQbXeLTzKRC0t5d2JFo2Uw3Gze9yTdGLhM~b5jRFDDGKUo~bfVUl3LACh5qDpf6S2cwRfx-1vLovCOteGlbSaPdO3LVKGiYwec8~MFbF9tvhKlTKtg4UR0Jxng22bU-pIrNrFCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah School District on Wednesday reported the first meeting of a district levy advisory committee and described the scope of local measures under consideration for voter approval.

Chief of Finance and Operations Martin Tierney and communications staff said the committee — about 66 community volunteers who represent multiple feeder patterns including student participants — convened its first meeting to review school funding basics and begin public feedback on possible 2026 levy measures. Tierney said the advisory work will use a consensus model to gather community input and that meetings will be held weekly while staff refine draft proposals.

What’s under consideration: Tierney described three district measures that currently fund gaps between state and federal allocations and local operating costs: an educational programs and operations levy, a capital levy (which staff said would include both technology and critical repairs), and a transportation levy. Superintendent (as recorded) reminded attendees that the 2018 McCleary solution reduced part of the funding gap statewide but that ongoing local levies are still required to support full district operations.

Why it matters: Levy renewals — if placed on the ballot and approved by voters — supply local operating and capital funds the state formula does not cover. Tierney said committee members will work toward a preliminary package recommendation, with later meetings dedicated to each levy topic and additional opportunities for public comment. Communications director Mark Sherwood said meeting materials and summaries would be posted on the district website after each committee meeting.

Board comment: Director Taylor and others urged clear public education about the role levies play in district finance, including how local, state and federal funds interact and why levies are necessary. Tierney and staff said the committee would provide that community‑education function and that results of the advisory work will be made public.

Next steps: The advisory committee will meet weekly through several planned sessions (technology & capital repairs, then educational programs and operations, then a synthesis meeting). Staff said they will publish agendas, meeting materials and summaries on the district website and return recommendations to the superintendent and board for any proposed ballot placement.","Issaquah School District staff reported the levy advisory committee kickoff and outlined three renewal levy measures under consideration to cover gaps between state and federal funding and district operating costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6464453,"School board approves revised calendars, seeks one-year waiver from 180‑day requirement and files BEA compliance update",2642,3047000,5689000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375&start=3047&end=5689","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783774-a7b0ab377da46e62aaf36cf27b433375/thumbnail_3047000.jpg","/articles/6464453/Washington/School-board-approves-revised-calendars-seeks-one-year-waiver-from-180day-requirement-and-files-BEA-compliance-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6464453-6a80bfa0072d8cafc45f57ba5d4d80dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775049283&Signature=euUfKMPXQjjqRxXq9cSYdwctOUKxVBhZj3U8IM5l-PBzFw6CTZPoj~UR6j288R52EOcFWQvjI8UougB7clwXZOU6QfSgDN1Fezqlod9zrS3k1qJ8h7OTLUPNolhaY6flzr~KG0ViEG0QkFjH8dh16eH7syF6sUI2NzvqcsngpyF45vZ~PATJNi2j3IM4sDaNVDPhYg7iwxFXdQMTeo8C0K2SyBrOaGHzkO-TpYAwV8Epx1Xptz2KZ8JMlgwhgNyfHU6PYVEWKrHeBBjQnKthZyDsGNr9TLuRiSWsi1J5yW4GtQYJNR9~fdeCjV-V8cvu70kD9hgMVZzpHPVtT7uEdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah School District Board of Directors voted Wednesday to adopt a revised 2025–26 school calendar, submit a one‑year waiver request from the state’s 180‑day basic education requirement for 2025–26, and file an updated Basic Education Act (BEA) compliance report.

Board members and staff framed the changes around two priorities: embedding weather makeup days in the regular calendar to preserve predictability for families and staff, and keeping the district’s end date inside the community’s preferred window where practicable. Assistant Superintendent Donna Hood told the board that each proposed calendar contains 179 student days and 180 staff days, “and that includes the PD day that we anticipate the State will allow us to count as 1 of 180, per the PD waiver that was approved by the Board in our last meeting.”

Why it matters: state policy requires 180 days (or equivalent instructional minutes) for the basic education program; districts that cannot meet that requirement can apply for waivers tied to specific calendars and documented makeup plans. Hood said the district prioritized embedding at least three makeup days and placing some before AP/IB testing windows to reduce disruption during May testing months.

During a lengthy discussion, board members debated how many embedded makeup days to carry in future calendars and whether the district should aim to end the instructional year earlier in June. Director Gallinger urged a consistent standard for makeup days so families and staff can plan, while Director Taylor pressed for earlier June end dates where feasible to preserve summer time for students and staff. Hood summarized community input used to craft options: embedded makeup days were favored by about 82% of respondents, about 63% said they prefer the year to end before Juneteenth, and roughly 25% preferred keeping the Wednesday before Thanksgiving as a student holiday.

The board also amended its application approach: rather than request a three‑year waiver up front, the board approved filing a one‑year waiver for 2025–26 and left future years for later action after calendars for those years are finalized. Superintendent (named in the meeting transcript as “superintendent”) said the one‑year waiver lets the district move forward now while finishing calendar work for subsequent years.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda: approved (roll call indicated all in favor). (consent agenda motion)
- Revised 2025–26 school calendar: approved. (motion to approve 25‑26 calendar)
- Revised 2026–27 school calendar: motion carried after debate; board discussion centered on embedded makeup days and start/end dates. (motion to approve 26‑27 calendar)
- Revised 2027–28 calendar: approved. (motion to approve 27‑28 calendar)
- Revised 2028–29 calendar (option B selected): approved. (motion to approve 28‑29 option B)
- Resolution No. 1246 — request a one‑year waiver from the 180‑day requirement for 2025–26: approved. (resolution)
- Revised 2025–26 BEA compliance report: approved. (administrative filing)
- Monitoring report OE‑8 (communication and support to the board): accepted. (monitoring report motion)

What board members said: Director Taylor argued staff have a professional obligation to post‑school responsibilities but said she wants the district to prioritize earlier June end dates where possible. Donna Hood described the tradeoffs in schedule design, including keeping at least three makeup days before Juneteenth and placing one or two embedded makeup days before AP/IB testing.

Next steps: The district will submit the amended one‑year waiver application to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) tied to the approved 2025–26 calendar, finalize the BEA compliance submission, and return to the board with calendar proposals for subsequent years as additional public feedback and bargaining steps conclude.","Issaquah School District board approved a revised 2025–26 school calendar, approved related state filings including a one‑year waiver from the 180‑day requirement, and accepted an updated BEA compliance report after extended discussion about embedded weather makeup days and summer timing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District introduces new director of special services and the 2025–26 student board representatives

Board, students weigh 'profile of a graduate' changes; students urge life‑skills and flexibility

District opens levy advisory committee, says three renewal measures under consideration

School board approves revised calendars, seeks one-year waiver from 180‑day requirement and files BEA compliance update