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Transparent Processes and Accountability...

Stephanie Jerdon, PresidentMay 2025

 

As elected officials, it is the responsibility of School Board directors to promote transparency and accountability in our governance to open district operations and processes to the people.

Transparency means that something is done in an open, honest way. In district governance, transparency enables the community to be informed about academic achievement, budgets, policies, spending, projects, legislative advocacy, and any other education-related work we undertake. This allows the community to monitor and participate in processes, while also safeguarding against any corruption.

The partner to transparency is accountability. Accountability not only means that elected officials are held responsible for their performance, but that they seek feedback to improve systems, policies, and programs, and are obligated to explain their final decisions and actions. By listening to and communicating with the public, confidence and trust are strengthened.

As a Board, we have been working hard to initiate and foster practices that are transparent and demonstrate accountability. In conjunction with the efforts of district personnel, here are some of the ways that we have been working towards these goals:

  • Board Bulletins featuring School Board work
  • Posting Board meeting dates, agendas, and links via the district website
  • Enhanced Budget Information via the district website
  • Enhanced Levy Information via the district website
  • Monthly budget status & accountability reports at Board meetings and posted to district website as well as the year prior
  • Detailed vouchers for district spending posted in each Board meeting “Consent Agenda”
  • Detailed Meeting Minutes posted to each Board meeting “Consent Agenda”
  • Posting Board Resolutions all in one place (see BoardDocs Featured “Documents”)
  • Posting School Board Q & A related to Board meeting agenda items (see BoardDocs Featured “Documents”)
  • Enhanced Board meeting agendas with detailed cover letters for each item to explain the “why” behind each
  • Detailed Legislative Reports posted to Board meeting agendas under “Legislative Update & Advocacy”
  • Following a multi-step process for policy work – usually over the course of consecutive Board meetings there is written information, a first touch, a first reading, and then Board action following public comment. Sometimes further steps are necessary, based on the policy and the questions of the Board.
  • Responding to email questions from the community
  • Detailing Board Goals (see BoardDocs Featured “Board Goals” and Board meeting agenda items)

If you have suggestions of how our School Board can enhance transparency and accountability, we welcome your input. From our School Board page and/or on this page, click on the teal “Email the Board” button and let us know what you think or how we are doing. Thank you!

Stephanie Jerdon

2025 School Board President

Email the Board

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CVSD School Board sets priorities for the 2025-2026 budget process...

Tere LandaApril 2025


In Washington State, every public school district must submit a budget to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction annually prior to the start of the school year. Seeking a transparent and collaborative process, the CVSD Board recently requested a work session with Gina Bullis, Executive Financial Officer, to draft clear parameters for the 2025-2026 budget to support the district’s goals, ensure fiscal stability, and demonstrate responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.  

In addition to the Directions set in our Strategic Plan, we drafted a list, in no specific order, of additional parameters: 

• Support nutrition services and feeding kids using every strategy available to lessen or delay increases in costs for families 

• Reduce costs for families for school supplies and activity fees if possible 

• Provide academic interventions in reading and math for qualifying students at all levels and looking closely at grade 8 math 

• Balance salary increases with other district priorities 

• Offer students as many opportunities and pathways as possible leading to graduation 

• Build the budget conservatively planning for contingencies 

• Structure the budget in line with Board Policy 6022 to build the fund balance of 7.9% currently shown in the CVSD F-195 budget projection for 2025-2026

At this early stage of the budgeting process, there are many unknowns. Specific amounts for both the state and federal revenue sources are not yet available. Supplies, materials, insurance, transportation, and other costs subject to inflation are yet undetermined. In addition, Ms. Bullis and her team are using multiple strategies and resources to project our 2025-26 enrollment, the critical number that the state uses to determine our apportionment revenue, our largest source of income. We hope more of these numbers will be available for our next budget work session. To learn more about our current budget, please check out the district’s budget webpage.

All are welcome to join us for our bi-monthly Board meetings. In the coming months, the budget for 2025-2026 will be presented and adopted.

Tere Landa

School Board Director

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CVSD School Board has long history of honoring Meritorious Service...

Cindy McMullenMarch 2025
 
Since 1985, the Board has formally recognized the outstanding contributions of district staff and community members and organizations in support of our students’ education. Initially, the celebrations were dinner or dessert events, which included the honorees’ families and colleagues, and local dignitaries. More recently, the Board has met with the staff and community at their local schools, where we can read the accolades in the nomination form to the folks with whom they work every day.
 
There are four categories for this annual recognition: certificated staff (generally teachers and those with certificated degrees), classified staff (generally support staff), community, and teams. Nominations come from students, parents and families, co-workers, and supervisors.
 
This year, the Board received 800 nominations! In addition to the local school celebrations, the Board recognizes district-wide honorees in each category at our second Board meeting in March (this year Monday, March 24 at 6pm). One of the certificated staff nominees is also named as the district’s Educator of the Year, to be honored by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce at its Business Awards Celebration on Wednesday, March 19 at 5pm.
 
The Meritorious Service Awards give the Board the opportunity to express our pride and gratitude to everyone who exemplifies OUR MISSION: Prepare students for career and life through a high-quality, comprehensive education in partnership with families and community in a safe and inclusive environment. 
 
Cindy McMullen
School Board Director
Meritorious 2024 Recipients with the School Board
2024 District-wide Meritorious Honorees with the School Board
View the 2024 Meritorious Honorees, Nominees and Past Recipients at www.cvsd.org/meritorious
(utilize the menu for the various years)

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An update from your School Board Legislative Representative...

Anniece BarkerFebruary 2025
 
The Central Valley School Board is dedicated to advocating for our students and community. 

We foster ongoing relationships with local elected officials, keeping them informed about the needs of our students and families. By sharing personal stories from students, teachers, and staff, we provide valuable insight into the challenges and experiences within our schools. Additionally, we closely monitor legislative sessions, tracking bills that could impact our district. 

As these bills progress, we engage in the process by signing in as Pro or Con, submitting written testimony, and, when possible, delivering verbal testimony. Though this work requires dedication, we believe that, together, we can make a meaningful difference in our community.

The Washington State Legislature follows a two-year biennium cycle. In the first year, the primary focus is on establishing the state budget and passing legislation in both the House and Senate. Bills go through a structured process in each chamber, beginning with a committee hearing. If approved, they move to a funding committee before advancing to the chamber floor for a vote. Bills that receive a "Do Pass" vote then move to the opposite chamber, where they follow the same process. Those approved by both chambers are sent to the Governor, who can sign them into law, veto them, or allow them to become law after 20 days without a signature. The second year of the biennium addresses budget adjustments and considers both new bills and those from the previous year that did not pass.
 
Community members play a crucial role in this advocacy work. Keeping track of proposed bills and engaging with local representatives on a personal level can be highly effective. Reaching out through emails or phone calls helps inform representatives about the concerns and perspectives of their constituents. 
 
Additionally, signing into bills, providing testimony, and sharing important legislative information with others in the community are essential actions. Using social media to raise awareness and amplify advocacy efforts can also make a significant impact. To learn more visit www.leg.wa.gov
 
You can also track all the education-related and other local legislation on our bill tracker page: www.cvsd.org/LegislativeLook  
 

Anniece Barker

2025 School Board Legislative Representative

Early Learning Center Group Photo
WA Representative Schmidt visits the CVSD Early Learning Center with School Board (L to R: Cindy Sothen, Executive Academic Officer; Anniece Barker, Board Legislative Rep.; Barb Sattler, ELC Director; Rep. Suzanne Schmidt; Tere Landa, Board Director; Stephanie Jerdon, Board President

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Legislative Look
 
Stay informed... A look at Washington's legislative bills at www.cvsd.org/LegislativeLook
 
Your CVSD School Board wants to make sure you are informed of current bills currently in the 2025 legislature session. View several bill trackers that are updated weekly for you to follow as well as contacts for your legislators.
Legislative Look
Email the Board
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