[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",5973325,"mediaKeyId","5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce","parentId",5830350,"title","Career Kick Start pilot draws high demand; district explores scaling during school year","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",3720000,"endMs",3912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce&start=3720&end=3912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973325/Washington/Career-Kick-Start-pilot-draws-high-demand-district-explores-scaling-during-school-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973325-94bc65241287475b6be8af6a6948cc0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770613370&Signature=HeaGywB~JvUiNgpj6b3KUzpCu1eX4HY~VCwPqPa0-h9zamGRHfzZoW-~A0Ae3kEC7UDzRhtsbPujh~gA315kvKNuaFoa8sYfx43JVIMy4qOYiZ8P77q5zsZhdPxGYoPEslrGz1dpPGrvXXwzweojvVcNLq9RQTmHq6YIWmA2Qb~~GvjkxP8m7I6VpfDUvDoxHi3aHeu30UtjgJWTHJITC7n9gQP70FqwuI-y5gCLpDoUpVifGKjz6NATBX3lcSyqHBqctE1CQO71KlZxQWY43OQ60RK8myoxey6AZgUYzR8OSch~I8bR95kBZPlLMvVtS7RnmRl6sQFKQw2HSIsunQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Issaquah School District, Washington","date","2025-09-26T04:18:34.967Z","article","Issaquah School District staff reported strong student interest in the Career Kick Start summer pilot and presented lessons and options for expanding career-connected experiences into the school year.
Julia Bamba, principal on special assignment for accelerating innovation, said the pilot accepted 46 students for two-week sessions after more than 160 applicants. The program offered industry panels, site tours, job-shadow days, resume feedback and professional headshots; Issaquah Schools Foundation and SanMar Corporation provided funding and hosting support.
Student and director comments praised the program’s structure and suggested using non-testing days (for students who do not test) to run worksite visits. Directors and staff discussed logistical challenges to scaling, including coordinating transportation, background checks for host sites, matching students with host interests, and avoiding over-burdening community volunteers. Staff proposed running additional pilots during the school year, offering focused panels during lunches or flex periods, and exploring junior and senior-level networking and resume supports.
Why this matters: Career-connected learning can help students clarify next steps after high school, expand access to internships and careers and create community partnerships; scaling such programs requires administrative capacity and community coordination.
What happened next: Staff will consider pilot options (in-school days, small pilots on PSAT/SBA days, junior-level resume and networking events) and collect feedback from students and partners to design a sustainable approach.
Ending: Board members encouraged continued experimentation and recommended stronger partnerships with CTE programs, student groups and community organizations to broaden access and reduce equity gaps in participation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Issaquah School District Board Meeting 9/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A two-week Career Kick Start pilot drew more than 160 applicants for 50 spots, district staff and students told the board. The pilot included worksite tours, panels, resume review and professional headshots; staff outlined options to scale the program into the regular school year and use non-testing days for ninth-grade worksite tours.","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},5973330,"Capital projects update: New high school permitting on track; EV bus charger commissioning delayed",377,2476000,2853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce&start=2476&end=2853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","/articles/5973330/Washington/Capital-projects-update-New-high-school-permitting-on-track-EV-bus-charger-commissioning-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973330-9f3e8276c53af78ae000eb7632691502/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596414&Signature=mqKlWpqfMIGzmRyqOckPaePzaFMiCZF6aCUfLuAeY1WvnZeAxgnnvhWTXqQPIGmOTQY4qoyPrit81W47mEbNAVxXZJSqrklbPZpu5C0IesBErQBhsHKLMUT2qhO1xEhfJtWe5swGGA5fZdJJzqlTNnVQXdNx81EIAbKo4kHp5WTQenIXsVsvz6FFHR6foS~1XnZWZGFdjUW9w-WzhEpHEl19tKAoRYomtagOjhCQH1AG3yt8tvttMmu2cnv27IN5DWjhTxYleR1D7vs6LsW8cJYHuQ5sxt2mZMmQI48XSPRvoikdPU-g2i1A44gW9IvAaxMXPTSIMrmnOOipEuzZSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Issaquah School District’s capital projects director updated the board on active projects, telling directors that most 2018 levy work is complete, 2022 levy funds continue to support critical repairs and that the district remains on track for the new high school to open in 2027—pending city permitting milestones.
Tom Mullins, director of capital projects, listed recently finished items (transportation shop AC, Endeavor HVAC unit replacements, Maple Hills playground work and a repaired exhaust fan at Sunset Elementary) and said the Beaver Lake Middle School elevator modernization is scheduled for summer 2026 because parts and commissioning windows pushed work beyond this summer.
Regarding the Department of Ecology EV bus grant, Mullins reported a commissioning issue: the manufacturer of the charging heads has not completed commissioning and the district is working to contact higher levels at the vendor; buses can still be charged by alternate means but not yet through the new infrastructure.
On the new high school, Mullins said city staff returned a first round of comments and the district has submitted responses; he said planners consider the comments addressable and the timeline remains on target. Major permitting milestones cited included Development Commission hearings in November and, if required, December. Mullins said construction and the scheduled 2027 opening remain the plan.
Why this matters: Capital projects and grant-funded investments affect classroom conditions, transportation operations and long-term facility capacity; delays in vendor commissioning can limit the operational benefits of investments.
What the board asked: Directors asked about the nature of the EV charging vendor issue, permitting comment rounds and how grant requirements (such as interagency agreements) affect readiness to apply for and receive funds.
Ending: Staff said grant-funded work will continue and the district is pursuing contacts at the vendor to resolve the charging-head commissioning issue; the board was told the new high school permitting is proceeding on schedule and will proceed to review on set dates with the city.","District capital projects staff told the board that most 2018 levy projects are complete, the 2022 levy continues to address critical repairs, the new high school permitting is on schedule and an EV bus-charging project has stalled because the vendor has not completed commissioning work.",{"_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},5973335,"Levy advisory committee consolidates input; board prepares communication strategy",233,1931000,2164000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce&start=1931&end=2164","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce/thumbnail_1931000.jpg","/articles/5973335/Washington/Levy-advisory-committee-consolidates-input-board-prepares-communication-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973335-d172cc13a8721225d380d6fd585cf83b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596414&Signature=doQEF0t0B6GixavpAT2--7J1oh6UQRCb6dKpJAJ73eXENfZSPfX4jKcEl4EkpbX4tWP1~qJ3nsQ9QqkTyXYqUzql-pFcuIiEtLjkp7BBBRTV7KQYx26kNKoTklaACgytqYeCCHaAqpRdfgYQZBVTsElFZIXc7BDmW9TuM-2FpGkVkZpKCqm5L5YxIw7Mj3spV9hojgzy4uWptoOSCpYn~a1sCEIaEK3yuQv59JLsTN-k2ToskjwTO7xJpmsvBTeY8sPXhpdzJbfI5Ec1Y4n3~UgWMpEUKIxTvoksJ6mQwumJ-1gQLj6VDll5ocS4VNslvnUJmw65wzIEZ~iQYo2NiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah School District officials told the board the levy advisory committee has held several meetings to review critical repairs, technology needs and program funding and will bring a first recommendation to the board for review at its Oct. 9 meeting.
Martin (chief finance and operations) and communications director Mark Sherwood briefed the board on the committee’s structure and topics. Committee members toured Maywood Middle School, reviewed critical repair lists and attended panels explaining how levy funds link to mental-health services and other student supports. Sherwood said the next meeting will include a student panel; a final meeting will focus on communications strategy, including legal constraints on district and community campaign activities.
Board members said tax sensitivity and public confusion about levies versus bonds are recurring themes. Staff described a planned outreach effort to explain levy authority, typical tax effects and the district’s portion of local property tax bills; staff said the levy currently represents about 17% of the district’s budget.
Why this matters: The levy funds recurring programs that district leaders said are essential to daily operations and student supports; how the levy is presented to voters and what authority the district seeks can determine funding levels and community support.
What happened next: Staff will compile final committee input into a recommendation for the superintendent to present to the board for consideration in October.
Ending: Board members emphasized the need to keep communications fact-based and to educate community members about what levy dollars pay for and how the levy differs from bond measures.","District staff and the board said the levy advisory committee has met multiple times, reviewed critical repairs and program funding priorities and will finalize a recommended levy package for the superintendent’s review; communications strategy and tax-sensitivity education are central to next steps.",{"_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},5973340,"Board examines unequal college-credit opportunities across Issaquah high schools",225,1032000,1257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce&start=1032&end=1257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce/thumbnail_1032000.jpg","/articles/5973340/Washington/Board-examines-unequal-college-credit-opportunities-across-Issaquah-high-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973340-2372bc1b8f067e3a5e0abacfcddfd106/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596414&Signature=mRx-rB6S-4QSam2wG7METelyzCQgR51kDYpPGvKToJDGf-NNQMFMMO4Q6i85Zuf9VJTYD0PF~vvhbGbqeyjbAVB4JlTAGHOBDHPvCHJL-LYf2C9mqPSTSIdOSF~JYuPV84yszWmChcEGY90ouU9WDF~OxfANeOTxKtb4rowL3E~rSPdT0BE-J9I99r~WJGuXLOACjMxqwBc4nwWY1x8qiWaXvGRO6dzBsC0Kqh4qI8RLLoE9lC6EWdukhnpEaY8UAiDWYhosL2xKkuN~MfIunmw8cHKL7VZUR-Ak6JROm0BP2PTO-5EdwGN-9he1EK~AAzGYLGf4EWt6s79-fvyhbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Issaquah School District board members said a policy discussion at a pre-meeting work study revealed clear differences in students’ opportunities to earn college credit across the district’s comprehensive high schools, and they asked staff for additional data to guide possible policy language changes.
Director Gallagher and others summarized data showing the share of students taking a full load of college-credit-bearing classes varied substantially among the three comprehensive high schools: Gallagher said about 0.6% of Issaquah High School students, 0.1% of Liberty students and 3% of Skyline students were taking seven college-credit-bearing classes in the semester reviewed.
Directors discussed whether to add the word \"equitable\" to Operational Expectation 14 (instructional programming) to clarify the district’s commitment to making college-credit-earning opportunities available across schools. Director Coyne listed specific questions the board asked staff at the work study: enrollment in dual-credit courses, the number of sections available, grade levels at which courses are offered, demographic representation, and college policies for accepting different kinds of dual credit.
Board members and the superintendent noted several complicating factors: different programs operate in different schools (for example, International Baccalaureate at Skyline and Advanced Placement at other schools), colleges and universities apply different credit-acceptance policies, and Washington state rules affect how credit is conferred in some programs.
Why this matters: Board members framed the conversation as an equity issue—ensuring that students at every high school have comparable opportunities to earn college credit before graduation can affect college cost and access.
What happened next: The board engaged in discussion, requested additional data and indicated they would review more information before deciding whether to amend OE‑14 to include an equity provision.
Ending: Board members asked staff to return with more detailed demographic and course-availability data to inform any policy changes.","Board members said data presented at a work-study meeting showed students at Skyline, Issaquah and Liberty high schools have notably different opportunities to earn college credit in high school; directors discussed adding 'equitable' language to district policy on instructional programming.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5973345,"Parents demand clearer communication after staff misconduct lawsuit and teacher investigation disrupt classes",267,449000,716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce&start=449&end=716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5830350-045d912672a74b7224ab8d73975632ce/thumbnail_449000.jpg","/articles/5973345/Washington/Parents-demand-clearer-communication-after-staff-misconduct-lawsuit-and-teacher-investigation-disrupt-classes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973345-09722e47c46ecde5b6504fd5a83c7765/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596414&Signature=lRkLkFefcfDueSzBQyJkPIrAI3SXzE3lNNlsw2XDcnbRlhUFMNQTaG4Wyr2uwzAew9eC~ZdvZrJsVzB-7BzVb-nsRoY5fu7YjDiNycPnav1r1F-vCwFzHy5YyiRNNnE7SIuOl8k~Q~7aGqogwvnW0UH2VviS7qZ5g2TQyx4vQYPP3BsGwpWYoQZcIHitnnzfkVIjBJFUlaa~CNFU0TIVqTL2gr52rP429V9MMq5TrVRDaRiKsJLRgIZ~44hsRIkMbgzmtQDRp5jb78aIcVnr~-I8s2s-Wfj9kmr7mTMyMgBrB-cYCPEpk2uvjtHpbxewPvgs8lJLmJKYSJpt1vC4Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents urged the Issaquah School District Board of Directors on Thursday to provide clearer, faster communication and procedural transparency after public comment revealed a lawsuit and a separate investigation have disrupted classrooms.
Melissa Stefani, a parent of a sophomore and a senior at Issaquah High School, said about 150 students have been affected by a disruption in the high school Spanish program and that communication from the district “has been minimal and inadequate.” She said students have been without appropriate instruction for 18 school days and that AP-level students are particularly harmed.
The public commenters did not ask the board for investigative details, but repeatedly requested a public outline of the district’s protocols and a timetable for communication. Jason Lane, a parent of a student at (transcript) Denver Elementary, said he and other parents had sent multiple calls and emails over three weeks with “almost no response.” Tyler Jones, an Endeavor Elementary parent and volunteer, asked the board to “communicate a projected time frame of communication to families and staff about your plan forward.”
Lisa Hudson and other speakers referred to a public lawsuit filed Sept. 5 by a former Endeavor staff member that, they said, alleges misconduct and retaliation; parents said they had not been informed of the allegations and asked what protocols the district follows in such cases.
Julie Carr, a parent of a senior in Spanish 4 at Issaquah High School, urged the district to “do all you can to get this teacher back to the classroom” because students were seeking to leave the class and private tutors were being hired as substitutes. Carr emphasized that she recognized the matters as allegations and said she was not asking for confidential details but for timely resolution and steps to limit instructional disruption.
District officials did not provide an immediate substantive public response during the public-comment period other than noting that staff could not discuss personnel matters. The board accepted the public comments and later moved into executive session. No formal board action on the complaints was recorded on the public agenda.
Why this matters: Parents said instruction for advanced-level students has been interrupted for weeks, potentially affecting credit and college-readiness outcomes, and they said the district’s lack of timely, clear communication is eroding trust.
What was said in the meeting: “The quality of instruction you receive in school is important to us,” Stefani quoted a district reply to a student email; she said families need the district to demonstrate that sentiment through “transparency, communication, and decisive action.”
What the board did: The board heard public comments and later approved an executive session (per the meeting agenda). No public vote or policy change on communication protocols was made that evening.
Context and next steps: Speakers asked for a public description of the district’s protocols for responding to allegations and for a projected timetable for family communication. The board did not present a public timetable that night. The district’s human-resources and legal procedures for personnel investigations were referenced in questions but not described in detail on the public record.
Ending: Parents asked the board to balance privacy/confidentiality rules with a clearer procedural statement that assures families their children’s safety and instructional continuity will be protected.
","Multiple parents told the Issaquah School District board that recent litigation and an investigation involving district staff have left students and families without clear information, disrupted instruction for about 150 Spanish students at Issaquah High School and prompted calls for a public outline of district procedures and timelines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Career Kick Start pilot draws high demand; district explores scaling during school year

Capital projects update: New high school permitting on track; EV bus charger commissioning delayed

Levy advisory committee consolidates input; board prepares communication strategy

Board examines unequal college-credit opportunities across Issaquah high schools

Parents demand clearer communication after staff misconduct lawsuit and teacher investigation disrupt classes