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Issaquah board welcomes new director of special services, student reps and launches levy advisory work after state assessment release
Summary
The board introduced Jen Casarino as director of special services, welcomed the 2025–26 student representatives, and heard superintendent remarks on Smarter Balanced results and a levy advisory committee kickoff to shape potential 2026 levy measures.
The Issaquah School District board opened its Sept. 11 meeting by introducing Jen Casarino as the district’s new director of special services and by welcoming the district’s 2025–26 student representatives.
Dr. Shereen Carver introduced Casarino, noting she "brings over two decades of distinguished leadership in public education" with experience at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Northwest Educational Service Districts and OSPI. Casarino said she was "excited to be part of the Issaquah School District" and looked forward to supporting early learners and students requiring specialized services.
The board then introduced student representatives from feeder high schools, including Milo Walsh (Gibson), Micah Payow (Gibson), Ava (Issaquah High, returning representative), Rex Garner (Mishkaa High), Krish Parashar (Liberty), Laya Dilip (Liberty), Nila Natarajan (Skyline) and an additional Skyline junior. Several student reps praised a board work study on a "profile of a graduate," emphasizing interests in financial literacy, life skills and flexible course structures so students need not choose between rigorous courses and practical classes.
Superintendent provided a recap of the board’s earlier work study and summarized the Washington State release of Smarter Balanced assessment results. The superintendent said the state noted that year‑over‑year progress has returned to pre‑pandemic levels and that Issaquah students "continue to perform among the very top districts in Washington" on measures including pass rates, growth and advanced‑level scores, while also spotlighting persistent opportunity gaps for students with disabilities and students identifying as Black or Hispanic/Latino.
The board heard an update on levy advisory committee work. The superintendent said the committee — convened to inform potential 2026 ballot measures covering educational programs and operations, capital (technology and repairs), and transportation — had a strong kickoff with broad community representation. Martin Turney, the district chief of finance and operations, outlined a meeting roadmap and said about 66 community members signed up for the advisory committee; the committee will meet multiple times to use a consensus model and return recommendations for a possible preliminary package.
Board members emphasized public education about the role of local levies and asked staff to prioritize community outreach as committee work continues.
The board also announced three October town halls and several upcoming legislative convenings with local representatives to align district priorities with state policy discussions.
The meeting moved from introductions into consent and the remainder of the agenda, including calendar deliberations and BEA waiver actions.
