Student, parent urge district to protect Northshore Networks and strengthen attendance supports

Two community members spoke during the public comment portion of the Oct. 27 Northshore School District board meeting about alternative programs and attendance supports.

"I walked out of that meeting with the principal of that school, one of my teachers, and my counselor ' with more hope for high school than I had in three years," student Owen Smith told the board, describing how Northshore Networks helped him return to school, enroll in a full course load and get back on track to graduate. Smith said he had considered dropping out before enrolling in the program and urged the board to "keep that program around for other students like me."

Parent Holly Muncao described two of her children as "twice exceptional" (2e) and said they struggled with attendance as schedules and transitions intensified in later elementary and middle school. Muncao thanked the board for a new attendance policy but asked for more supports to accompany enforcement: "With that needs to come more supports as we continue to roll that out. I would really like you all as a district to consider an attendance task force to provide some of those supports sooner, especially for families who don't have access to alternative programs," she said. She also said that initial requests for formal evaluations had been denied and only later resulted in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) after persistent follow-up.

Board members did not respond during public comment; the chair reminded the public that comments on non-agenda items cannot be discussed in detail at the same meeting under Washington state law. The board later discussed school program and policy items during the meeting agenda.

Speakers: Owen Smith, student (Northshore Networks); Holly Muncao, parent.