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The Edmonds School District Board of Directors passed policy changes and discussed key operations during its April 14 regular business meeting, including discussions on potential staff reductions and changes to the District’s policy regarding students in foster care.
Staff reductions
The Board held a first reading of a proposed reduced educational program, which anticipates the elimination of the equivalent of five full-time staff for the 2026-27 school year.
Superintendent Rebecca Miner noted that the District expects any reductions in force (RIF) to be minimal. The reductions will likely involve “small parts of FTE” (full-time equivalent) positions, particularly in cases where high school teachers are instructing specialized courses that do not have enough enrollment to fill a full daily schedule, she said.
The Board must formally approve the maximum potential reductions before May 15 to comply with state laws requiring school districts to notify affected certificated staff by that date. The final numbers may decrease as the District processes additional resignations and retirements leading up to the deadline. A second reading and recommendation for Board approval are scheduled for the Board’s April 28 meeting.
In other new business, the Board unanimously approved a single-reading emergency waiver request for the 2025-2026 school year, addressing the Nov. 21, 2025, closure of Hazelwood Elementary School caused by a power outage.
Miner explained that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) typically approves such waivers for single-school closures, provided the District as a whole still meets its required minimum basic educational hours.
The Board also conducted a first reading regarding changes to the District’s Learning Assistance Program policy. The revisions include minor updates to remove outdated COVID-19 pandemic language relating to the temporary use of program funds.
Foster care policy
During unfinished business, the Board unanimously approved changes to policy governing students in foster care. The Board had a first reading of the proposed changes at its March 31 meeting.
The policy updates align with the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) model policy and feature slight verbiage changes surrounding enrollment, transportation and dispute resolution.
Legislative update
During the legislative update, Director Thomas Garrard reminded the Board that April is the designated month for school districts to propose changes to Washington State School Directors’ Association legislative and permanent policy priorities, which guide the association’s lobbying efforts at the state Legislature. Garrard suggested the Board review technology-related priorities, noting that the landscape of cell phone policies and artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving.
The Board discussed potentially adding its AI policy to the April 28 agenda for a formal vote, with members facing a deadline to submit any specific language changes for WSSDA proposals by Friday morning.
The meeting agenda and recording are available on the District’s website.
— Contact Ashley at [email protected].
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