New board officers sworn in; multiple policy first readings advance

The Port Angeles School District board used its Dec. 11 organizational meeting to swear in newly seated directors, elect leadership, appoint committee representatives and move several policies to second reading.

Judge Simon Barnhart administered the oath of office to new board members, after which the board opened nominations for leadership. Dr. Sandy Long was nominated and confirmed unanimously as board president, and Kirsten Williams was elected vice president in a separate roll‑call vote. The board appointed Stan Williams as the district’s WIAA representative and named two members to the audit committee.

The board also approved first readings of multiple policies that will return for formal adoption at a later meeting. Those first readings included a superintendent evaluation policy (16‑30), a notification and dissemination policy about student offenses (31‑43), a nondiscrimination policy (32‑10) and a policy to accommodate students with adrenal insufficiency (34‑25). Each first reading passed and was scheduled for second reading at the board’s next regular meeting.

Student representatives from the high school and Lincoln High reported on school activities, including holiday concerts, student volunteer projects and upcoming competitions. Board members closed the meeting with comments about training they attended at the WASDA conference and upcoming onboarding and strategic‑planning workshops for the board.

What’s next: The board will hold a second reading and formal vote on the new policies at a future meeting. PACAC meetings and community input sessions were scheduled as the district advances design for three new schools.