Submitted by the League of Women Voters Observer Corps, a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.

SJI School Board Jan. 28

A member of the public spoke about a plan to recondition part of the elementary school field, with volunteers providing all materials and labor at no cost to the school district. Fred Woods, superintendent, will coordinate between the volunteers and the facilities department.

In the School Showcase section of the meeting, the Griffin Bay Art Club presented a new mascot logo and art projects done by Griffin Bay students. Woods read a proclamation from Gov. Ferguson commending school boards in the state and declaring January as the official month honoring school boards. He reported that a bid for middle school siding will go out in February for work to be done in the summer. Bids for other projects at the elementary school will go out soon.

The student body representative shared information about recent events at Friday Harbor High School, including field trips and club activities. First semester finals are done, and the second semester is underway. The Theater Program put on “Legally Blonde” at the Community Theatre.

The new human resources director, Jeff Thompson, went over a required review of specific personnel policies. The district received an $18,400 grant for heat pump replacement at the elementary school from the state superintendent’s office. Total enrollment is up slightly for January, and the budget is on plan.

School Board Director Melanie Hess acknowledged the participation of Woods and principals Holly Wehner and Andrea Hillman, who played key roles in the high school play “Legally Blonde.”

School Board Director TJ Heller reported that the Legislature was in session but that additional funding for schools was unlikely. He noted that pay for school board directors was being raised from $50 per meeting to $100, but no directors on the SJI school board received any compensation.

SJI Public Hospital District regular meeting of Jan. 28

Superintendent Nathan Butler reported that the finance department made a complex recoding of payroll calculations to comply with tax rules on overtime. He will present the 2025 financial review at the February meeting. Employees are happy with the switch to cost-effective medical and disability insurance benefits under the Public Employee Benefit System. The Village at the Harbor has only one vacancy.

Emergency medical services had a record number of calls in 2025. For 2026, they have a rigorous training schedule. New EMTs are coming on board, and they have a high rate of volunteers. Community Paramedicine had a 66% increase in patient care hours and 44% in patient volume since August, with a provider overseeing the program in conjunction with Village at Home. Deputy Superintendent Evan Perrollaz reported that The Village at Home had a high volume of intakes recently. They are finally getting Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements.

The Finance Committee proposed an adjusted payout schedule for the Peace Island Medical Center subsidy in line with the levy revenue stream. They will consult with PIMC.

The 2026 scheduled meetings were shifted to Nov. 18 and Dec. 16 due to holidays. The commissioners set two strategic planning sessions, March 7 at 10 a.m. and March 19 at 9 a.m., to discuss one-year/five-year plans, the capital improvement plan and budget revisions. For 2026, the slate of officers remains Anna Lisa Lindstrum, chair; Gail Leschine-Seitz, vice chair; Everett Clary, secretary/treasurer.

Committee assignments are Trish Lehman and Everett Clary, EMS; Trish Lehman and Gail Leschine-Seitz, CCC and long-term care; Everett Clary and Rick Frazer, finance. The commission adopted the MOU for the Community Health Network for the PHD and EMS. The network will create a structure for collaboration among community health organizations. The network will explore opportunities to coordinate health resources in the county. Two commissioners and Butler will attend meetings.

The Commission approved major updates to policies and procedures. The Commission approved salary and benefits for Butler and approved changing his position to a solely PHD superintendent position. The EMS superintendent position will be part of a restructured EMS.