Students and staff press board for athletic trainer, office professionals seek contract progress

Public comment at the May 24 Everett School District meeting included a student petition for an athletic trainer at Everett High and an appeal from long‑serving office professionals in active contract negotiations.

Michaela Lim, a student athlete and incoming ASB president at Everett High, told the board she and dozens of fellow athletes lack on‑site athletic training services. Lim described her own concussion last fall and said she "had to see a doctor to get evaluated, which cost my family money when I could have been checked out at the site when my injury occurred." She said she delivered a testimony sheet signed by "approximately 90 from my school" and that roughly 20 supporters were standing with her at the meeting.

Board members acknowledged her testimony and said district staff (Mr. Moore and Ms. Mundell) would follow up directly with Lim and her coaches to discuss next steps.

Jodie Moyer, an office professional with 32 years in the district, spoke about ongoing contract negotiations affecting nearly 200 office staff — including office assistants, accounting clerks and program coordinators — and urged the board to consider wages, benefits and working conditions that allow staff to support their families. "We are your office professionals... We are negotiating a paycheck that will provide us the financial ability to support our kids," Moyer said.

A remote commenter, Jeff Heckethorn, congratulated students on AP exam participation (he said "over 1,000 of your high school students took over 2,000 AP exams") and cautioned the board about unexamined adoption of "grading for equity" practices.

No formal board action on the athletic trainer request or on the contract negotiations was recorded at the meeting; board members acknowledged the comments and staff indicated follow‑up would occur after the meeting.