South Whidbey board approves policy updates, authorizes program-reduction framework and submits waiver request

The South Whidbey School Board approved a package of memoranda and resolutions that included a program-reduction authorization and several policy wording updates, and authorized submission of a revised waiver application related to the 180-day school-year requirement.

The board approved Memorandum 23‑24‑24 (Resolution 682), which grants the superintendent authority to execute program reductions should budget cuts be required in the future. Several policy updates were approved in a series of memoranda: Policy 1330 (administration in absence of policy), Policy 2151 (inter-scholastic activities), Policy 5231 (length of work day) and Policy 6625 (private vehicle transportation); the changes were represented as mostly wording adjustments discussed at a prior workshop.

Dr mosha underscored calendar and contract timing that motivated one of the actions: "we are obligated to let teaching staff in particular know by May 15th whether or not they are employed and ... by June 1st we, if we've not given notice they have a contract," she said, explaining the timing sensitivity for any staffing or program changes.

The board also approved Memorandum 23‑24‑30, Resolution 684, a revised waiver application to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The district previously submitted an emergency-closure waiver that OSPI declined; the revised application documents professional-development days so the district could end student attendance on Friday, June 14, and require teachers to report on Monday, June 17, if the waiver is approved. Board members were asked to sign board orders before leaving so the application could be submitted promptly.

All memoranda and resolutions in this package passed on voice votes with advisory student votes recorded; counts were not read into the record during the meeting.