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Board hears policy changes on transition‑to‑kindergarten, library programs and instructional materials to align with new state laws
Summary
District staff presented revisions to the transition‑to‑kindergarten policy and new standalone library and instructional‑materials policies to align with recently passed Washington bills (ESB 5462 and ESHB 2331) and referenced RCW and WAC updates; board sent the policies to reading by general consent.
Everett — The Everett Public Schools board reviewed three policy items on June 10: revisions to the district’s transition‑to‑kindergarten policy, a new policy for library, information and technology programs, and updates to the selection and adoption of instructional materials. All three items were sent to reading by general consent.
District staff told the board revisions to Policy 22‑30 (Transition to Kindergarten) were made to align with recent changes in state law and administrative code, citing RCW language and WAC provisions tied to transition‑to‑kindergarten implementation. Staff said the revisions were reviewed by the director of early learning and Policy Review Council and clarified that transition‑to‑kindergarten is intended for children who have not had pre‑K and that staff coordinate with existing providers to avoid removing children from paid preschool.
The board discussed the choice of language in the revised paragraph that uses the term “consider” when describing coordination with early‑learning providers. Director Obolinski urged stronger wording (for example, “coordinate”) to reflect existing district practice; staff said the word “consider” does not change established partnerships and they would take the suggestion back to senior staff.
The board also reviewed a proposed new Policy 23‑09, Library, Information and Technology Programs, intended to comply with Engrossed Senate Bill 5462 and Engrossed House Bill 2331 (as referenced in the presentation). Directors praised the explicit inclusion of digital citizenship and media literacy; staff noted the policy extracts library language previously embedded in Policy 23‑11 and places it in a standalone policy.
Finally, revisions to Policy 23‑11 (Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials) were discussed to reflect state law changes, including provisions for supplemental and temporary materials and course‑design language. Staff said the district’s existing policy was largely compliant but required language cleanup to reflect state statutory updates.
All three policies were reviewed by legal counsel and senior staff prior to the meeting and were sent to reading by general consent; no final adoption vote occurred at the June 10 meeting.
