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Kennewick School Board approves consent agenda, new Internet-safety policy and two refunding bond resolutions
Summary
At its January working meeting the Kennewick School District Board of Directors approved routine consent items, adopted an updated electronic resources/internet-safety policy (Policy 2313) and authorized applications and sale for a 2025 refunding of 2015 bonds projected to save about $3.6 million over 10 years.
The Kennewick School District Board of Directors on the evening of its January working meeting approved routine consent items, adopted an updated electronic information systems policy and authorized the issuance of 2025 refunding bonds to refinance 2015 debt.
Board members voted unanimously on the three key matters after staff presentations and discussion. The board approved: (1) the consent agenda; (2) Policy 2313, “Electronic Information Systems, Electronic Resources, Internet Safety” on first and second reading; and (3) two resolutions authorizing application to the state's school bond guarantee program and authorizing the sale and issuance of 2025 refunding bonds.
The policy vote followed brief board discussion about how the district should frame acceptable uses of district-owned devices. Board members asked staff to clarify procedures and handbooks that will govern student and staff device use; the board approved the policy as presented and directed staff to continue refining administrative procedures.
On the bond refunding, district staff summarized work begun at a November work session. Northwest Municipal Advisors projected that refinancing roughly $37 million of outstanding 2015 bonds at current market rates would lower the district’s weighted interest rate from about 4.99% to an estimated 3.56% and produce approximately $3.6 million in cash-flow savings over the next 10 years (about an 8% net present-value savings against refunded principal). The board approved a resolution to apply to the state's bond guarantee program and a second resolution to authorize the sale and issuance of the 2025 refunding bonds. If timelines hold, the district plans a bond sale in mid‑March with closing in early April and an escrow payoff of the 2015 bonds on the June 1 call date.
Votes at a glance: • Consent items — Motion to approve consent agenda (motion text: "I move we approve the consent items as presented"). Roll call vote: Annie Malte — yes; Mr. Connors — yes; Dr. Miller — yes; Miss Gledhill — yes; Mr. Valentine — yes; Mr. Galbraith — yes. Outcome: approved. • Policy 2313 — Motion to approve "Policy 2313 Instruction, electronic information systems, electronic resources, Internet safety" for first and second reading (motion text: as recorded). Roll call vote: Annie Malte — yes; Mr. Connors — yes; Dr. Miller — yes; Miss Gledhill — yes; Mr. Valentine — yes; Mr. Galbraith — yes. Outcome: approved. • Resolution 6 (2024‑25) — Authorizing application to the state's school bond guarantee program. Roll call vote: Mr. Connors — yes; Dr. Miller — yes; Miss Gledhill — yes; Mr. Valentine — yes; Mr. Galbraith — yes. Outcome: approved. • Resolution 7 (2024‑25) — Authorizing the sale and issuance of the 2025 refunding bonds. Roll call vote: Mr. Connors — yes; Dr. Miller — yes; Miss Gledhill — yes; Mr. Valentine — yes; Mr. Galbraith — yes. Outcome: approved.
What the board directed next: staff will complete the administrative procedures tied to Policy 2313 (including updated acceptable-use documentation for students and staff) and proceed with bond‑sale steps (ratings calls, final official statement, sale and closing) consistent with the timeline presented.
The board moved to executive session at the end of the meeting; no additional public votes were taken that evening.
