The West Valley School District Board of Directors rejected proposed revisions to Policy 1111 (oath of office) in a split vote at its Nov. 24 meeting.

During the second reading, a board member identified in the transcript as S10 read a prepared statement explaining why they would vote no. S10 said they had researched the origins of the revision, tied the language to state legislation they identified as HB 1296 and to changes related to I-2081 (cited in the transcript), and said they were voting no out of concern that the change could be seen as removing local control. S10 said, “My no vote does not mean that I'm encouraging anyone to break the law. The revised RCW still stands. My no vote is not breaking any laws.”

After discussion, a motion by another board member (S8) to approve the second reading was called to a vote and the chair declared the motion did not pass, with a 3–2 result. The board did not adopt the revised language at this meeting.

Board members discussed whether the district should make the change now while legal questions remain. S10 noted guidance (attributed in the remarks to State Superintendent Chris Reykdal in the transcript) that districts refrain from making policy changes in response to the statute while legal challenges are unresolved.

The failure to adopt the change means the board will continue under the existing oath-language until a future meeting or until legal clarity is reached.