Regular Meeting Agenda - Updated Policy and Procedures

At the September 10, 2025, Policy work session, board members reached a consensus to move Policy 1750 Retired Member of the Board forward with the understanding that there would be a title change and additional language would be included for clarity. The policy has been updated to reflect these changes. The title now reads Former Member of the Board, and language has been added clarifying that the policy applies to board members who leave office :in good standing (i.e., not under formal investigation or facing removal from office.)."

Procedure 4400P Election Activities - new to KSD - will appear in the Informational section of the agenda, along with revised Procedure 5111P Employment. As a reminder, procedures provide operational guidance and may be updated at any time to reflect operational changes, provide clarification, or remove sections that no longer apply, as long as the changes do not conflict with the language of the corresponding policy.

Highly Capable Program (HiCap)

In August, more than 30 teachers new to the Highly Capable Program (HiCap) participated in training for Preschool & Early Education Program (PEEP) and Accelerated Childhood Education (ACE), engaging with district-provided resources such as Wordly Wise, Depth and Complexity Kits, Mindset Mathematics, and Challenging Common Core Math Lessons to strengthen best practices for supporting students. Additionally, the HiCap Department prepared for the launch of specially designed Problem-Based Learning (PBL) units in the Odyssey Program, developed with training from Dr. Shelagh Gallagher, an internationally recognized expert in gifted education. These units provide students with opportunities to apply literacy and math skills to science and social studies topics, take on the roles of experts, and develop higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.

HiCap Professional Development

Beginning in October, the HiCap Department is offering professional learning opportunities to support educators. The goal is to ensure staff feel confident and successful in implementing services across grade levels.

Elementary educators can participate in HiCap 101 training, which focuses on district-provided resources, or join a book study on Differentiating the Curriculum for Gifted Learners, developed in response to teacher requests. Secondary educators have access to Highly Capable in the Middle and High School, designed to support implementation at those grade levels.  

In addition, all K–12 educators are invited to two specialized options:  

• Depth and Complexity in the K–12 Classroom, a self-paced Canvas course featuring research-based strategies for differentiating content and increasing instructional rigor.  

• Strategies for Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students, focused on best practices for supporting and understanding students who qualify for both highly capable and special education services (often referred to as 2E).

External Evaluation Recap

The Inclusive Education (IE) department is excited to share that they are coming closer to the completion of the external evaluation with partners at Public Consulting Group (PCG). To date, they have collaborated extensively with PCG to complete a variety of focus groups with various stakeholders and have provided systems level data to inform current practices in KSD. IE will host PCG partners onsite at a board work session in the fall for a high-level overview of systems and findings with a more in-depth review of recommendations in the winter.

Areas that they have prioritized for this evaluation include systems/structures, family/community engagement, use of current staffing allocations, high expectations, and learning environments/services. The goal of this evaluation is to ensure that the IE department is providing KSD students with high-quality education with a focus on systems and structures that create sustainable educational experiences. Upon the completion of this evaluation, the IE department plans to consider the recommendations provided to improve educational equity for students who receive special education services in KSD.

Strong Start to the 2025-26 School Year

The Student and Family Engagement (SAFE) team is off to a strong start this year. They have been working diligently to ensure students, families, and schools collaborate smoothly to make the transition back to school seamless. The Student and Family Engagement Specialist has been recertifying students receiving McKinney-Vento services and is working to identify student who qualify for services. They also ensure students in foster care can access their education with minimal disruption.

SAFE is also working to ensure that the Class of 2026 are informed about the guaranteed admissions program to several public universities and automatic admission to Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) through the Washington Guaranteed and Automatic Admissions Programs (WAGAP). The team continues to partner with community-based organizations, including Communities in Schools of South King County, Kent Youth and Family Services, St. Vincent de Paul-Centro Rendu, and Hazel health, to support student mental health and mentorship.

Appeal Approved: $3.28M in Emergency Connectivity Fund Support Retained

KSDs appeal to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding a prior funding recovery notice has been approved, confirming retention of $3.28M in previously reimbursed federal support for student technology access.

• In May 2025, KSD received a Recovery of Improperly Disbursed Funds Letter from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), citing audit findings related to Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) support for Pre-K student broadband services. 

• The Technology & Partnerships team submitted both an appeal and a waiver request to the FCC, providing documentation and rationale to support the district’s original funding request. 

• On August 12, 2025, USAC issued a Revised Funding Commitment Decision Letter approving the appeal. The decision confirms that the district will retain the full $3,278,337.60 in previously reimbursed funds for equipment provided through Microsoft Corporation 

• The devices were received and invoiced in 2022. This appeal outcome ensures that no repayment is required and affirms the district’s compliance with federal program requirements 

Impact: This outcome protects critical funding already used to support student access to technology and reinforces the district's commitment to transparency, documentation, and equitable digital access.

S&P Global Ratings Raises Kent School District Credit Rating

S&P Global Ratings raised its underlying rating on KSD general obligation (GO) bonds to 'A' from 'A-' while affirming a stable outlook. The upgrade reflects S&Ps view of the district's financial management practices and policies, which have supported consistent financial performance over the past three audited fiscal years and compare favorably with those of higher-rated peers.

The S&P Global Ratings report details the rationale for the credit upgrade, its financial outlook, and credit opinion. Below are selected highlights from the report.

• Stable financial performance in the past three audited fiscal years that we believe will continue in the medium term, reflecting the district's willingness to enact cost-containment initiatives.

• An established financial management team with policies and practices in place that compare favorably with those of similarly rated peers. However, we note its formal reserve policy of 5% is weak compared to districts of its size.

• The stable outlook reflects management's acknowledgement and identification of the district's long-term budget gap and its preliminary steps toward budget reductions. The outlook also reflects the district's stated commitment to maintaining the board's minimum 5% reserve policy.

• Management reports that it plans to implement budget reductions of $7.5 million annually over the next four fiscal years to remain structurally balanced and to maintain reserves in compliance with its formal 5% reserve policy.

• Management officials report that its plans to ask voters to renew its local levy for another three years prior to its expiration date.

• Although it maintains a formal reserve policy of 5% of operating expenditures, its formal reserve policy is weak compared to those of peers of its size and operations.

Accuracy Level of Enrollment Projection at 0.18% Variance

The Annual Average Full Time Equivalent (AAFTE) enrollment is calculated at the end of each school year. In June 2025, the AAFTE was calculated at 23,902 students versus the projected 23,945, a variance of 43 students or 0.18%. This is a significant improvement in projection enrollment compared to the two (2) previous years, as you can see below.

AAFTE is the primary element of calculating the district's apportionment and the basis for calculating staffing allocation. Accurate enrollment projection allows the district to estimate its revenues and expenditures with some precision and represents its financial forecast with some level of certainty.

Streamlining Payroll and Timesheet Processes with Informed K12

The district has successfully implemented Informed K12 (IK12), a workflow process software designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service. All timesheets have now transitioned to this platform and the Payroll team has begun moving payroll forms into the system as well. This marks a significant step forward in modernizing internal operations.

By moving these processes into IK12, the team has noticed the following improvements:

• Time Savings: The software removed the majority of time previously spent on manual data entry, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.

• Workflow Efficiency: Automated routing ensures forms are delivered tot he correct approvers quickly, reducing bottlenecks and delays.

• Accuracy: With less manual handling, the chance for data entry error has been minimized significantly.

• Transparency: Staff and supervisors can track forms in real time, ensuring clarity throughout the approval process.

• Sustainability: Transitioning to a paperless process reduces the district's reliance on paper, aligning with the commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

This change not only saves processing time, but also strengthens the accuracy and consistency of payroll operations. The district's investment in IK12 reflects the commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and the adoption of technology that enhances both KSDs internal processes and the services that are provided.

Start-of-Year Hiring Metrics: Certificated Staff and Paraeducators

The Equity & Employment Support team is pleased to share the start-of-year metrics for certificated and paraeducator staff hiring. A year-over-year comparison highlights the focused and collaborative efforts of Human Resources along with other district and building-level hiring teams to support Goal 4 of KSD's Strategic Plan.

Looking ahead, the team remains committed to supporting the retention of a diverse workforce. They will continue to foster an inclusive workplace culture that promotes a strong sense of belonging for both students and staff.

2025-26 Fall Involuntary Transfer (IVT) Process

Annually, at the start of the school year, student attendance is closely monitored over several days to determine whether adjustments are needed based on the variance between the projected enrollment and the actual student headcount.

HR collaborates with other department and school leaders to identify buildings and grade levels that may require staffing adjustments based on this data. The Fall IVT process is used to help balance class size and staffing by shifting teachers between buildings when necessary.

The HR Operations team has notified impacted staff members of their new placements for the 2025-26 school year and those staff members are in the process of transitioning to their new buildings.

Coach of the Month: In partnership with the Human Resources teams, the Athletics & Activities team identifies outstanding coaches from across the district representing middle and high school athletic programs. These individuals are highlighted in the Kent Reporters Coach of the Month online publication. In early-Spring, each of the recognized coaches are then submitted to HR and KSD labor partners for consideration as part of the annual "Employee of the Year" program.

Community Partnership Creating a Positive Relationship

KSD student athletes joined with representatives from every school in the North Puget Sound League (NPSL) on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Auburn High School. These student athletes united for a powerful day of reflection, leadership, and collaboration. Together, they established shared expectations and goals to guide their teams throughout the year, and foster a culture of excellence, respect, and sportsmanship across the league.

Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT)

KSD is beginning the 6th year of the SALT program. Through leadership, communications, and service, SALT members help foster a stronger, more inclusive school culture by building a bridge between student athletes, coaches, administrators, and peers.

Championing Inclusion: Kentwood High School Earns Prestigious National Recognition from Special Olympics

Special Olympics Washington has announced that Kentwood High (KW) school, a school with Special Olympics Unified Champion School programming, is receiving national banner recognition for its efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without intellectual disabilities. KW is receiving this distinguished status as a result of meeting ten national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

The primary activities within these standards include Special Olympic Unified Sports where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. National banner schools should also demonstrate they are self-sustainable or have a plan in place to sustain these activities into the future.

The Unified Champion Schools model is a strategy for schools' Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by brining together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. As many as 16 million young people are taking part in inclusive experiences through Special Olympics. More than 148 schools are currently participating in Unified Champion Schools programming in Washington as part of 10,000 schools across the country (including 40 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) engaging in this program. The Unified Champion Schools strategy aims to expand to 20,000 schools by the 2030.

Birch Creek Bus Stops

Beginning this school year, Transportation partnered with Birch Creek staff to relocate most general education bus stops from 132nd Ave SE into the Birch Creek complex. The new designated stops are located at the Family Center and the Teen Center. To maintain schedule efficiency, afternoon buses serving middle and high school students continue to drop off at 132nd Ave SE. Additionally, a minor adjustment was made regarding the Family Center stop, which was relocated to a near by parc to reduce congestion during the Kent Youth and Family Services (KYFS) HeadStart preschool arrival and dismissal times. Currently, KSD buses enter the Birch Creek Complex 18 times per day.