Wenatchee school board approves policies, reinstates prior graduation rule and adopts consent agenda

The Wenatchee School District School Board on April 1 approved three policies on second reading, voted to reinstate the district's previous high school graduation policy and adopted the consent agenda that included vouchers, payroll, contracts, field trips and the March enrollment report.

Board President Jackson called for a motion on the consent agenda; Board member Martin moved to approve it and Julie seconded. The board took up brief comments about items on the consent agenda, then voted “aye” and the motion carried.

During discussion before the policy vote, Superintendent Kelleher explained the board’s thinking about state assessments and the district’s accountability: “Students in high school, all students, regardless of which graduation pathway they intend to complete, are expected to take the appropriate Smarter Balanced assessment in English language arts and math during tenth grade and to incorporate their results into their high school and beyond plan,” Kelleher said, and noted that test refusals affect district accountability measures and eligibility for some state and federal recognition.

Board member Maria moved that the board approve policy 5005 (employment and volunteers: disclosure, certification and approvals), policy 3210 (nondiscrimination), policy 5010 (nondiscrimination/affirmative action) and reinstate policy 2410 (graduation requirements) to the version last reviewed in March 2024; Tucker seconded. After brief remarks, the board voted “aye” and the motion carried.

The superintendent’s report followed the votes; it included updates on community events, facility-use fee refinements and the board’s progress on a technical skills center procurement. The board then recessed into an executive session to evaluate an applicant for public employment and review a staff performance matter; no final action was announced after the closed session.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (vouchers, payroll, contracts, field trips, March enrollment report): moved by Martin; seconded by Julie; outcome: approved. - Policy approvals and reinstatement: motion to approve policy 5005, policy 3210, policy 5010 and reinstate policy 2410 (graduation requirements to prior version): moved by Maria; seconded by Tucker; outcome: approved.

Details provided during the meeting show the consent agenda included three contract items the board discussed informally: a small yoga contract for students in the juvenile detention center, a contract to design and implement clean building standards at Wenatchee High School that staff said could carry fines of $444,000 if standards are not met, and an update to the district’s device replacement plan that included Chromebook and iPad purchases. The board did not take separate votes on those individual contracts at the meeting; they were approved as part of the consent agenda.

No individual roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript for the motions beyond the unanimous vocal “aye.”