Arlington School Board adopts 2025–26 enrollment projection, approves policies and routine minutes; votes at a glance

The Arlington School District Board of Directors voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 student enrollment projection, using an April rollup methodology, and took action on several policy adoptions and routine approvals during the regular meeting.

The motion to adopt the recommended 2025–26 annual average full-time-equivalent (FTE) enrollment was moved by Director Mack and seconded by Director Kelly. The board recorded a unanimous vote in favor. Student adviser Nathan Nichols gave an advisory vote in support.

The board heard that the adopted projection shows a net decrease of 21 FTE compared with the current year. District staff said the decline masks shifts by level: kindergarten–grade 5 is projected to fall by about 105 FTE, grades 6–8 to rise by 26 FTE and grades 9–12 to rise by 55 FTE. District staff recommended the April rollup model because it has closely matched actual attendance during recent years and provides conservative estimates useful for staffing and budgeting.

In addition to the enrollment adoption, the board approved multiple policy items on second reading and adopted them: - Policy 3241 — Discipline (approved on second reading) - Policy 3420 — Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response (approved on second reading) - Policy 66100 — Transportation (approved on second reading with a small amendment removing a mandatory placard sentence) - Policy 6701 — Recess and Physical Activity (approved on second reading) - Policy 6702 — Wellness (approved on second reading)

The board also approved routine items at the meeting: the meeting agenda, regular minutes from Jan. 13 and special joint meeting minutes from Jan. 22, and the consent agenda (which included budget and enrollment reports, personnel report, field trip approvals, donations and several interlocal agreements and grants). Those routine motions passed by recorded voice vote.

Board members discussed that enrollment projections feed directly into staffing and budget planning and noted the district’s goal to remain within a 2% variance between budgeted and actual enrollment. Staff said they plan to revisit demographer work in 2026 to refresh long-term population analysis.

Votes at a glance - Adopt 2025–26 recommended student enrollment (April rollup): moved by Director Mack, seconded by Director Kelly — vote: Director Diamond Yes; Director Kelly Yes; Director Watts Yes; President Levesque/President Lemann Yes; Director Knapp Yes; outcome: approved. Student adviser Nathan Nichols gave advisory Yes. - Approve minutes (Jan. 13 regular; Jan. 22 special joint with Lakewood): approved (moved/seconded; unanimous recorded votes). - Approve consent agenda (budget/enrollment reports, personnel, field trips, donations, contracts, grants and agreements): approved (moved by Director Watts, seconded by Director Kelly; unanimous recorded votes). - Adopt policy 3241 (Discipline): moved by Director Watts, seconded by Director Kelly — outcome: approved on second reading. - Adopt policy 3420 (Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response): moved and seconded — outcome: approved on second reading. - Adopt policy 66100 (Transportation): adopted on second reading with an amendment removing a sentence about mandatory placards if district received funds; board asked staff to coordinate language with Washington State Patrol guidance. - Adopt policies 6701 (Recess) and 6702 (Wellness): approved on second reading.

The board’s formal recorded votes were unanimous on the items listed above. Several directors commented that the enrollment projection and policy adoptions will feed into staffing spreadsheets and that staff will monitor apportionment and levy timing to manage the fund balance.