Board receives student-voice compliance report; approves two policy ratings

Kirsten Fitterer, executive director of communications and engagement, presented the Yakima School District’s annual student-voice report to the board on May 5 and reported that the superintendent is in compliance with the five sections of Student Voice Policy 0580.

Why it matters: The student-voice policy guides district processes for student participation and oversight. The board also considered and approved superintendent compliance ratings for two working-environment policies.

Fitterer said she had reviewed the five sections of Policy 0580 and “find that the superintendent is in compliance for each of the 5 sections.” The presentation included evidence uploaded to board docs and noted an emphasis on middle school-level development for the coming months.

Board member Graciela asked whether students might evaluate the policy directly; Fitterer said students are being engaged to develop measures but that the full measurement work is a longer-term project and likely not feasible within the next three months because of student schedules.

The board then approved the superintendent’s ratings for Policy 1000.2 0.2 (working environment of staff) and Policy 1000.2 0.4 by motion, second and voice vote. For both items a motion and second were entered, all present board members responded “aye,” and the chair declared the motions carried. Individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the public portion of the transcript.

Next steps: The board will receive a survey by May 13 in advance of the May 20 meeting for follow-up items referenced in the presentation.