Votes at a glance: St. Helens board approves NWRESD plan, copier lease renewal and budget committee process

At the same meeting that adopted the NWRESD Local Service Plan for 2026—27, the St. Helens School District Board of Directors approved several action items:

- Superintendent evaluation: The board moved to set the superintendent evaluation discussed in executive session and approved that action as stated.

- NWRESD Local Service Plan (Resolution 2025-26007): The board approved the regional ESD plan that organizes core shared services and a menu of district-controlled buy-back accounts; presenters warned state cuts could eliminate some ESD programs.

- District budget priorities: The board approved a set of budget priorities emphasizing academic staffing, preserving student-facing services and protecting special education and equity-driven supports.

- Copier lease renewal: Administration presented a proposed five-year copier lease renewal with a print-management system (Papercut) intended to reduce waste and improve reliability; the board approved the renewal as presented.

- Budget committee application process: The board approved a structured written interview process and timeline for filling five vacancies on the District Budget Committee (questions emailed Feb. 27, responses due Mar. 3, materials distributed to board March 6 for a March 11 vote).

Several votes were recorded as moved and seconded and recorded by roll call; the administration said the actions will be implemented through the superintendent's office and business office as part of normal operations. Where specific vote tallies were not read into the record, the board confirmed approval during roll call.

Next steps: Administration will follow up with timelines (copier vendor implementation, budget committee communications and district-level decisions about NWRESD buy-back services).