Ruthann Atherton

The meeting began with a welcome, call to order, pledge of allegiance, and a presentation by Lake Valley Elementary School Bucket Drums. The agenda was accepted, followed by a review of current events and celebrations of success, including an update on Lake Valley Elementary School VIPS. Numerous items were approved under the consent agenda, including gifts and donations, personnel recommendations, the monthly budget report, financial/business vouchers, student activities reports, ratification of contracts, updates to the stipend schedule, the revised 2026-27 school year calendar, 2026-27 employee work calendars, approval for the annual 8th Grade Field Trip to Washington D.C., disposal of scrap materials, decommissioning and demolition of the Bradshaw Mountain Middle School Pumphouse, and updated job descriptions for Human Resources Specialist and Manager positions. Discussion topics included updates from the Humboldt Education Foundation, first reading of Trust Policies, quarterly attendance/discipline/parent engagement information, district assessment platforms, consideration of bond funding, and a demographic study regarding bond interest. The board also held an executive session to discuss the annual goals for the Superintendent, Mr. Brett Dahl, for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, ultimately tabling the formal action item for the approval of these goals.

The board reviewed curriculum recommendations for the K-8 Step-Up To Writing program and discussed various topics including mental health services, the FY27 School Safety Program Grant, Career and Technical Education updates, and the Auditor General report on classroom spending. Actions taken included approving changes to high school course guides, a memorandum of understanding with WestEd for literacy training, updates to board policies, and a 3% pay increase for employees. The board also authorized administrative staffing contracts, health insurance renewal, accepted annual financial reports, and approved annual goals for the Superintendent.

Key discussion items included the approval of annual goals for the Superintendent for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Years, updates on HEF matters, reading of Trust Policies Sections 1 and 2, presentation of second quarter attendance, discipline, and parent engagement information, discussion of district assessment platforms, and a demographic study regarding voter interest in a bond, including consideration of bond funding for district needs. The meeting also included a segment celebrating successes, recognizing classified staff, certified staff, and a volunteer, and acknowledging gifts and donations to Lake Valley Elementary School.

Key discussions focused on bond prospects and district funding, clarifying that bond money cannot cover salaries but can free up capital funds for potential pay increases, and the necessity of forming a Political Action Committee (PAC) for bond advancement. Subcommittees addressed staff retention, noting the attendance incentive plan is on hold pending funding clarity. The Calendar Subcommittee discussed the recently approved new school calendar, which shifts start, fall break, and end dates, and noted future plans for broader stakeholder input. District-wide fundraising was reviewed, emphasizing limitations on using taxpayer dollars for staff incentives. Other topics included updates on potential pay raises, the structure for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 CSF Family Engagement Hours, proposed 20% stipend increases, and ongoing considerations for stipends, para support, workloads, and principal calendars. Finally, the structure for confirming the CSF Performance Pay Plan via employee vote before board approval was detailed.

The board meeting agenda focused on various administrative and educational items, including the review and discussion of the FY27 School Safety Program Grant application, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program update, and a review of the Auditor General Report for classroom spending. Discussion items also included the first reading of The Trust policies and an overview of district mental health services. Action items comprised the approval of the BMHS Course Description Guide, an MOU with WestEd for K-5 structured literacy professional learning, the approval of The Trust policies, proposed pay increases for the 2026-2027 school year, health insurance renewals, and the acceptance of FY2025 annual financial reports.