Superintendent flags TTK funding concerns, outlines skill-center push and new programs

Acting superintendent reported on operational preparations for winter weather and staff efforts to keep students and staff safe, then delivered an extended update on program and capital priorities.

On student supports, the superintendent described a recent case involving a student returning from Utah and introduced a first-read proposal to contract Aldridge Consulting to assist the familys transition; a board member read contract terms in the meeting: "the hours are $300 per billable hour up to 20 hours." The district said programming for the returning student is still being worked out and that placement (district vs. home schooling) is not yet finalized.

The superintendent also described testimony to state legislators about transitional kindergarten (TTK) and early-learning funding, warning that some proposed changes could amount to "unfunded mandates" and noting differences between TK services provided through the district and separate early-learning centers that require licensing and additional teacher certifications. She said the states recent 2023 changes aim to align TTK with DCYF rules (licensing/training) and that districts are concerned about new costs and administrative burdens.

On capital priorities, the superintendent discussed strategy to improve the districts ranking on the states skill-center funding lists by combining modernization and new-project lists, noting project costs can range from about $2 million to $30 million and citing potential funding sources including county executives office contributions, congressional directed spending, state provisos and community foundations. She referenced specific provisos mentioned in the meeting (about $3,000,000 for an early learning center and $2.1 million for the district office) and said the district is looking at a mix of local and legislative funding paths.

The district will expand some NCTA offerings next fall, adding early childhood education, medical assisting and tourism and hospitality programs; fire science will move to an AM/PM schedule to balance high-school programming without increasing transportation costs. On technology, a board member asked about collaboration with the University of Washington on artificial intelligence; the superintendent said a policy around AI is being drafted and the district plans classroom-based AI work this spring, especially in math, though progress is limited so far.

The superintendent noted the uncertainty created by the state legislative calendar: even if the legislature provides additional special-education funds (a statewide figure of $600 million was mentioned), OSPI typically needs weeks after the session ends to allocate funds to districts, meaning the district must budget conservatively and then reconcile once allocations are confirmed.

The board asked several clarifying questions and requested follow-up on a personnel-pay issue; the superintendent provided dates for upcoming events, and the meeting concluded after routine adjournment procedures.