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Kennewick board hears public concerns, approves consent items and moves to executive session
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to reaffirm core values for transgender students, pressed the district to address an undeveloped lot that generates tumbleweeds, asked the district to consider waivers for parents charged admission to sporting events, and a student spoke in support of Michael Valentine. The board approved consent items by unanimous roll call and entered executive session under RCW 42 31 10.
At its regular meeting the Kennewick School District Board of Directors heard a sequence of public comments on community concerns, approved its consent agenda by roll-call vote and then paused for an executive session.
Public commenters opened the session. Chuck Henninger urged the board and superintendent to publicly repudiate recent statements by board vice president Valentine (reported in the Tri-City Herald), saying those statements made transgender students feel "attacked" and asked the board to reaffirm the district strategic-plan value that "all students are safe, known and valued." No board member gave a formal response during the public comment period.
Derek Kohler asked the district to address an undeveloped parcel (district-owned, he said) that he said becomes inundated with tumbleweeds and impacts roughly 519 homes near Hansen Park; he said he has coordinated with city code enforcement and district staff (Patty and Tom) and will continue following up.
A parent identified as Andrew urged the district to explore financial waivers or other ways to ensure low-income parents can attend high-school sporting events; Dr. Miller asked staff (Lance) to look into whether waivers or options exist. A student, Chaz Orin, spoke in favor of Michael Valentine and described him as a respectful community leader.
Board business: Dr. Miller moved to approve the consent items as presented. The board took a roll-call vote; members called in the affirmative during roll call (Mister Connors, Dr. Miller, Miss Bledhill, Mr. Ballantine, Mr. Galbraith), and the chair announced the consent items were approved.
Before adjourning the public meeting, the chair announced an executive session "under RCW 42 31 10" for qualifications and performance review for approximately 30 minutes and the public portion of the meeting paused.
Ending: The board approved its consent agenda by roll call and recessed to executive session; staff will follow up on public-comment items as appropriate and the public portion of the meeting will resume after the executive session.
