Ephrata School District 165

The board discussed a public hearing regarding the closure of Beezley Springs Elementary and subsequently moved to approve the closure. The agenda included the approval of several personnel hires, acceptance of donations for Grant and Parkway Intermediate schools, and the review of accounts payable and payroll. A critical policy regarding the prohibition of sexual harassment of staff underwent a second reading. Additionally, the board approved the purchase of 500 student Chromebooks, the delegation of authority to WIAA, the superintendent contract for 2026-2029, and various independent contractor contracts for special services. The meeting also featured a budget report, a superintendent report, and the first reading of policies related to mastery-based credit opportunities and a discrimination-free workplace.

The board meeting included recognitions for various school team successes, including cheer, wrestling, HOSA, FFA, LEGO robotics, and math teams. Action items approved involved several staff hires, receipt of donations for Parkway Intermediate, approval of three new school bus purchases, a grant application for playground equipment at Columbia Ridge, the purchase of a new computer lab for Ephrata High School, and a five-year copier lease renewal. The board also reviewed reports regarding roof repair timelines, bond measure follow-up, school leadership transitions, and impacts of recent state legislative sessions on district funding and bus depreciation.

The board conducted a closed executive session to evaluate the performance of a public employee and consider their contract as permitted under state law. No formal action was taken during this session before the meeting was adjourned.

The board convened for a special meeting primarily to conduct multiple closed executive sessions. The purpose of these sessions was to evaluate the performance of a public employee and to deliberate on their contract.

The board addressed several key items, including a consent agenda involving personnel hires, donations for gym scoreboards, approval of summer sports programs, accounts payable and payroll, and the second reading of policies on mastery-based credit and discrimination-free workplaces. Further action items included the approval of a gym scoreboard purchase, a high school roof bid, technology inventory and surplus/recycle lists. The meeting also featured discussions regarding a girls' basketball proposal, a budget report, and a superintendent's report.