South Whidbey board approves policy updates, ratifies waiver and OKs diesel bus purchase

The South Whidbey School District board approved a package of routine governance actions at its regular meeting, including three policy updates, ratification of a waiver resolution and authorization to purchase one new diesel school bus.

The board voted to adopt memorandum 25-26-31, an update to policy 3124 on release of students during school hours, memorandum 25-26-32, an update to policy 3207 prohibiting harassment, intimidation and bullying, and memorandum 25-26-33, an update to policy 3241 on student discipline. Dr. Clifford told the board these changes align district language to the updated WASDA (Washington Association of School Districts) model policies while preserving district-specific language on confidentiality and data reporting where the district chose to retain it.

Board discussion on policy 3124 included a single procedural clarification about whether the term “guardian” remained in the final paragraph; Chair stated the highlighted text indicated the term had been reinserted. Student representatives provided advisory votes and the board approved each memorandum by voice vote.

The board also ratified Resolution 705 under memorandum 25-26-34. Chair said staff had made a time-sensitive waiver approval in advance and the ratification formalizes that decision; no substantive changes to the prior unofficial approval were reported.

On fleet management, the board approved memorandum 25-26-35 to purchase one Bluebird Type D rear-engine diesel passenger bus. District staff (Mr. Field) said the purchase is part of routine fleet rotation: the district has recently added two electric buses and one small bus, but staff are not ready to fully electrify the fleet because power upgrades would be required at the bus barn. Mr. Field said the district will continue evaluating future trades to ensure buses meet capacity needs (for example, accommodating up to three wheelchair positions) and noted the purchase helps maintain state funding tied to depreciation schedules.

Votes at a glance - Memorandum 25-26-31 (policy 3124 update): approved (voice vote; board recorded unanimous voice approval; advisory student votes: aye). - Memorandum 25-26-32 (policy 3207 update): approved (voice vote; advisory student votes: aye). - Memorandum 25-26-33 (policy 3241 update): approved (voice vote; student advisory votes recorded; one student abstained on the advisory vote). - Memorandum 25-26-34 (Resolution 705 ratification): approved (voice vote). - Memorandum 25-26-35 (purchase of Bluebird Type D diesel bus): approved (voice vote).

What the board said “[The policy updates] were reviewed at our workshop and aligned to the updated WASDA model policies,” Dr. Clifford said, adding the district preserved some tailored language in procedures where necessary. Mr. Field said of the bus purchase: “We have buses rolling off depreciation…we're not quite ready to fully electrify the fleet until we get more information about what it’s going to take to get power into the bus barn area.”

Next steps Where the board approved changes to policies, staff indicated updated procedures and administrative language will follow. The district will complete paperwork to acquire the authorized bus and continue evaluating future trade-ins and purchases to match operational needs.

(Reporting assembled from board discussion and votes; voice votes were recorded without roll-call tallies.)