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Washington Elementary board approves superintendent communication protocols and performance-based compensation goals
Summary
The WESD governing board approved board–superintendent communication protocols, two performance-based compensation goals, and three superintendent guardrails tied to accountability and equity; the board debated measurement methods for academic goals.
The Washington Elementary School District governing board voted on Aug. 14, 2025, to adopt a board–superintendent communication protocol, approve performance-based compensation goals (to be used for superintendent performance pay), and to name three superintendent guardrails focused on resource equity, special education needs and students' holistic well-being.
The board approved the communication protocol after a study session and related review. The vote passed with no opposition recorded during the roll call for that item.
On performance-based compensation, Dr. Hector Hightower, the interim superintendent, described the packet the board had reviewed in work sessions and said the proposed goals drew on stakeholder feedback and prior discussions. "From our discussion and our dialogue, it really revolved around creating two academic goals that we discussed at length at the work study session and also adding two of the highest scoring goals from the stakeholder feedback that our governing board members received," Dr. Hightower said.
Board members debated how the district would measure the goals. Several members raised whether to rely on the state standardized assessment or local formative tools such as STAR and i-Ready for monitoring progress. One board member said the state test is the public-facing measure the community looks to; others argued that local formative assessments are useful for monitoring curriculum effectiveness and implementation. Dr. Hightower and district staff said the state assessment would be used for the one-year goal but that progress monitoring would include local measures such as STAR and i-Ready.
The board then selected superintendent guardrails (limitations and accountability expectations for the superintendent). After discussion, members adopted three guardrails: 1) the superintendent shall not allow an inequitable distribution of resources across schools; 2) the superintendent shall not neglect the needs of the special education student population; and 3) the superintendent shall highly regard the holistic needs of students, including social, emotional, extracurricular and physical well-being. The motion to adopt those guardrails passed with one member voting no and the motion carried.
Board members also discussed guardrail counts and scope; the board limited additional guardrails to a maximum that would keep the superintendent’s performance expectations focused and measurable. Several members asked staff to clarify how each guardrail would be monitored and reported.
Ending note: The approved protocols, goals and guardrails set the framework for superintendent evaluation and performance pay; district staff will return with implementation details and measurement methods for board review.
