Parents, teachers and students urge district to keep full‑time safety specialist at International Community School

Dozens of International Community School students, graduates, teachers and parents told the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors on June 23 that reassigning the school’s safety and prevention specialist would damage the small school’s relationships and safety supports.

Community members said the district told staff only days before the end of the school year that the specialist would be moved and split between locations. “Not only do I feel disrespected by the timing, but I am also deeply concerned,” said Zach Aquino, identified in public comment as the school’s safety and prevention specialist. “This decision leaves our schools unsafe and unsupported next year.”

Speakers said ICS, a 6–12 choice school that shares a campus with Community School in Kirkland, relies on a single consistent staff presence to prevent and de‑escalate conflict and to support students’ mental‑health needs. “Safety and security in a school does not come from intermittent visits from a familiar stranger,” said Jennifer Ann, an ICS teacher and ASB advisor. “It comes from relationships. A full‑time safety specialist is part of ICS culture.”

Other speakers described long‑term trust built with students. “Zach isn’t staff, he’s shelter,” said Adriel Nkwabari, a recent ICS graduate. “He makes it feel like home.” Cameron Brandi, an ICS teacher, said the specialist’s daily interactions — from camp supervision to searches conducted with student cooperation — are part of the role’s preventive value.

Speakers questioned the district’s rationale that lower enrollment justified the change. “If that’s true, does that not mean I’m doing my job?” Aquino said. Several speakers said the reassignment came without consultation with principals, the employee or the union. Many asked the board to preserve full‑time coverage at ICS and at the adjacent Community School and Emerson programs.

The remarks were delivered during the public comment portion of the June 23 regular board meeting; board members did not respond to public comment at the meeting. The district’s agenda later included a presentation on the 2026 proposed budget and a separate presentation on high‑school day reinvestment decisions, both of which address staffing and scheduling across the district.

The board meeting record does not show any formal action or vote to change the staffing assignment during the June 23 session. The Franklin High School — excuse me — the transcript indicates community members requested information and reconsideration; it does not record any district statement adopting or reversing the personnel decision at that meeting.

District staff and board members who were present included Superintendent Barbara Holman, Director of Financial Services Melissa DeVita and several board directors; the public comment speakers listed their names and roles during the comment period. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 4; community members said they will continue outreach to the board and district staff.

Ending: The district and employees made no policy change on the record at the June 23 meeting. Community members asked the board to preserve full‑time safety staffing at ICS; the board did not take a vote on the assignment during the meeting.