Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reports: WASDA legislative items and school tours highlight PLCs, robotics and 3‑D printing needs
Summary
Board members reported on statewide education bills to watch and described a school visit to Chief Middle School that showcased professional learning communities, robotics and 3‑D printing labs — and noted an unfunded safety mandate to install exhaust hoods.
Board members used committee reports to summarize legislative items the district is tracking and to report on a recent school tour.
A director briefed the board on Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA/WASDA) topics to consider for advocacy, pointing to bills on high‑school civics (Sen. Bill 5637 or similar numbering), Career and Technical Education (CTE) bills (noted as HB 1273 and SB 1722 in discussion) and a proposed joint resolution (House Joint Resolution 82200 referenced loosely) that would change bond‑approval thresholds. The director encouraged board members and community members to review bills and submit stories to the legislature to inform decisions.
During a school tour report, board members described classroom visits at Chief Middle School and other campuses that included math classrooms using professional learning communities (PLCs) to track student learning progression, a technology lab using CAD and 3‑D printing, and a robotics lab whose students 3‑D print parts for competition robots. Board members praised teacher collaboration and student engagement and reported a local robotics team won awards at a regional competition.
Directors also noted an unfunded state safety requirement: after the district installed 3‑D printers, state guidance changed and required exhaust‑hood systems, which the district had to install at its own cost. Board members discussed how that is one example of an unfunded mandate impacting budgets.
The committee reports closed with an audit update: the district received an entrance audit meeting with state auditors; the review will cover payroll, associated student body accounts, restricted funds, supplemental contracts, public work compliance and accounts payable, and could take up to six months to complete.
