Seattle School District No. 1’s board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve three formal items: the consent agenda, the district’s 2026 state legislative agenda and the employment agreement for incoming superintendent Ben Scholdner.

Vice President Briggs moved approval of the consent agenda, and Director Michelle Sarju seconded. President Topp announced the motion carried with unanimous aye votes and no items removed from consent.

Director Joseph Rankin introduced the 2026 state legislative agenda, explaining it sets the district’s priorities for the short 60-day session and emphasized protecting funding that has already been committed to K–12 programs. Rankin and staff described a specific request to address an unintended impact of a recent sales-tax change that could cost the district an estimated $2,000,000; the board adopted the agenda by unanimous vote.

On the superintendent’s employment agreement, Director Sarju moved and Director Mizrahi seconded a motion “that the school board approve the proposed superintendent’s employment agreement as attached to this board action report and authorize the Board President to sign the agreement with any minor additions, deletions, and modifications deemed necessary by the board president.” President Topp said the board negotiated the contract with outside counsel and thanked the community for participation in the search process.

The contract approves Ben Scholdner as superintendent starting Feb. 1, 2026, through June 2028, with a base salary of $365,000 and standard benefits including retirement contributions, health care and a car allowance; it also includes a retention bonus tied to continuity of leadership and successful onboarding. The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

Those votes conclude the board’s formal business for the evening; staff said work sessions on technology and policy would follow.