Clover Park board unanimously submits 10 WASDA legislative priorities, replaces capital-construction item with school-safety priority

The Clover Park School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to submit 10 legislative priorities to WASDA at a special virtual meeting that began at 5:30 p.m. The board removed “capital construction grant programs” (identified as mainly benefiting smaller districts) from the district’s recommended list and replaced it with a priority titled “Comprehensive school and student safety.”

Board members said the change better reflects issues likely to affect Clover Park students. Superintendent Banner told the board the original capital-construction item was included because staff were looking for ways to support capital improvements, but that on further review it “really pertains to the small schools small school districts.” Banner said, “Yes. So we will calculate that as a mistake because as we read through it, we really wanted to as we're moving forward through capital. We have all the clean energy things that are happening, and so we were looking for a way to help support our capital improvements. And then as we read deeper and further, which was unfortunately after we submitted it as a recommendation, we recognize that it really pertains to the small schools small school districts.”

Discussion also touched on several other proposed priorities. Board members debated whether to add a specific gun-violence-prevention position; some supported it as a response to incidents nationwide and locally, while others said the district has already complied with state safety requirements. A board member referenced “Alyssa's Law” and Superintendent Banner said the district had met the law’s listed security requirements, including law enforcement access to camera systems and other mandated measures. The board did not add a separate capital-construction item after that review.

One director said they had selected an AI-related priority because of growing classroom use and the need to set district policies on how students and staff use AI tools; another director argued AI policy is best handled locally rather than by state legislation. Superintendent Banner summarized the discussion by confirming the board’s intent to prioritize broadly applicable safety measures: the board agreed to substitute the capital-construction item with the comprehensive school and student safety priority and to submit the final list to WASDA.

After discussion, Director Thomas moved to adopt the 10 legislative priorities as revised; Director Caldwell seconded. The board voted unanimously to submit the priorities. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn moved by Director Lowrie, seconded by Director Kim, which also passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to submit the district’s 10 WASDA legislative priorities (with “Comprehensive school and student safety” added and “capital construction grant programs” removed): Moved by Director Thomas; seconded by Director Caldwell; outcome: approved unanimously (ayes recorded; no nays or abstentions). - Motion to adjourn at 5:50 p.m.: Moved by Director Lowrie; seconded by Director Kim; outcome: approved unanimously.

The board allowed public comment limited to this agenda item; no members of the public spoke in person or online during the meeting. The board did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting; staff will submit the revised priority list to WASDA in advance of the association’s deadline.