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Lake Stevens board reviews preliminary end-of-year data, emphasizes PLCs and student voice
Summary
Board members heard preliminary assessment results from principals across the district, discussed long‑standing math/ELA gaps and next‑year PLC and intervention priorities, and received the Student Advisory Council’s year‑end report urging expanded outreach to underrepresented students.
The Lake Stevens School District Board of Directors reviewed preliminary end-of‑year assessment data at its May 27 meeting, with principals outlining school‑level goals and the district reiterating a focus on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and targeted interventions to support individual student growth.
Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton introduced principals’ presentations, saying the district uses interim assessments such as STAR and i‑Ready and PLC structures to monitor progress and guide instruction. Executive Director of Secondary Schools Dr. Mike Snow told the board the results are preliminary because some testing windows remain open; the district combines completed assessments with projections based on interim data and teacher input to identify trends and plan supports.
North Lake Middle School Principal Brad Abels said staff saw encouraging individual student growth in both ELA and math and an increased sense of belonging, but that attendance—especially among Tier 1 students—remains an area of concern. "We’ll continue focusing next year on data conversations, grading practices, attendance improvement and intervention supports," Abels said.
Lake Stevens Middle School Principal Mike Randies reported projected gains in ELA and math and said the school piloted enrichment and additional learning time with positive feedback. At Cavelero Mid High, Principal Shannon Tarrach said the school projects roughly 61% ELA proficiency and notable math growth, and she described supports to improve ninth‑grade on‑track rates.
At Lake Stevens High School, Principal Leslie Ivelia said the school showed incremental growth and a projected graduation rate of about 92% after summer graduations. Ivelia noted that many students are enrolled in higher‑level math courses, which can complicate interpretation of grade‑level SBA results. She suggested brief refresher supports for sophomores prior to the SBA to revisit foundational skills.
Executive Director Steve Burleigh explained the district’s approach to incomplete SBA returns: schools use projections (adjusted totals) based on other assessments to create fuller estimates and identify students earlier for intervention. Dr. John Balmer, assistant superintendent for HR and school improvement, urged a shift toward mastery learning and proactive interventions to support students before they fall behind.
The board praised staff for transparent reporting and for building the PLC infrastructure. Director Paul Lund said improvement arises from collaboration rather than quick fixes, and Director Brian Kesler noted that math has historically lagged behind ELA both locally and nationally, underscoring the complexity of the challenge.
The board also heard the Student Advisory Council’s year‑end report. SACo officers described their work elevating student voice, shared lessons from events such as High School and Beyond Night and sophomore orientation, and recommended stronger outreach to underrepresented students and more opportunities for smaller‑group feedback. "SACo helped me grow from someone who hesitated to speak into a more confident leader," SACo President Aashi Bendalam said.
The board closed the discussion by thanking students and staff for their efforts and reaffirming commitment to continuing PLC work and targeted supports in the coming school year.
