Board reviews early‑entrance policy draft and hears that OSPI approved emergency waivers for two school closures

At the April 10 meeting the Lake Stevens School District board received its first review of Policy #5035 (Kindergarten/First Grade Early Entrance) and an informational update on emergency waivers granted by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Executive Director of Elementary Learning Steve Burleigh explained that Policy #5035 — last revised in 1996 — currently relies on a narrow birthdate window (Sept. 1–30) for early entrance consideration. The proposed revision would eliminate that arbitrary cutoff and instead base early entrance on objective assessment results (readiness scores), aligning district language with the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) model policy and neighboring districts.

Burleigh emphasized the goal of making early entrance decisions more objective and individualized: decisions would be determined by assessment criteria rather than birthdate alone. The board received the policy for first review; no final action or vote on Policy #5035 was recorded at this meeting.

Superintendent Ken D. Collins also informed the board that OSPI approved the district’s emergency waiver requests to cover lost state attendance days after Glenwood Elementary was closed on Jan. 16, 2024 and Skyline Elementary was closed Jan. 16–17, 2024 because of ruptured frozen pipes. Collins cited the relevant statutory and administrative authorities referenced in the minutes (RCW 28A.150.220; RCW 28A.150.203; RCW 28A.150.290; WAC 392‑129‑140) as the legal basis for requesting the waiver and maintaining state support during the emergency closure period.

The presentation of the early‑entrance policy and the OSPI waiver update were informational; the board will consider any policy changes in subsequent meetings.