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 promote public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.
SJI Fire District regular meeting of Jan. 14
Chief Monin reported the financial situation is good. The interlocal agreement with the Sheriff’s Office for dispatch services was extended for five more years with a slight increase in costs based on call volume and cost of living.
Michael Hartzell was promoted to battalion field chief effective Jan. 20. Chief Monin is looking at land with a future training center in mind. The district had to decline Los Angeles’s request for a crew and engine to fight their fires due to staff shortages.
The Washington State Base Rating, which informs homeowners insurance rates, remains at 6.
The District received a new bid for fixing the storm damage to Station 35’s roof and other improvements that will go to the insurance adjuster.
Brendon Cowen from the County Department of Emergency Services published a letter touching on the fires in Los Angeles and the county’s wildfire risk.
The District is lending the use of a classroom at Station 33 to the Hannah Heights Water Association for a six-month trial of a process to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs, from their water systems.
SJC Public Hospital District #1 regular board meeting, Jan. 22
Superintendent Butler reported that the 2024 financials were closed out, with raises and new benefits effective for employees this month. The last two weeks of December payroll are paid in January. The emergency medical services and the public hospital district are on target financially. For EMS, Assistant Chief Bishop has a full training schedule for 2025, including a burn clinic with Harborview Medical Center and ongoing training programs for the community.
The Village at Home plans to add a housekeeping service. They are working on a certified nursing assistant training program to be a CNA certification entity. The Village at the Harbor is fully occupied. They have increased the number of regular staff and hope to use fewer short-term traveling providers. The roof repair was completed, and a commercial oven was replaced.
The Board elected Anna Lisa Lindstrum, chair; Gail Leschine-Seitz, vice chair; and financial officers Rick Frazer and Everett Clary. At the February meeting, they will do the 2024 Financial Review and Peace Island Medical Center subsidy report for the second half of 2024.
San Juan Island Fire & Rescue canceled its training agreement with the EMS, in which EMS provided EMT cross-training to fire district personnel. The Board wanted more information and plans to schedule a meeting with the EMS chief, the fire chief, a PHD board member and a Fire District commissioner.
JI School Board regular meeting of Jan. 29
The Friday Harbor Elementary School Student Council presented on the Zones of Regulation program that teaches students how to recognize and modify feelings and attitudes to help them enjoy and focus on school.
The Stuart West Fire Brigade requested permission to build a two-car garage with a catchment water tank and a propane tank on the Stuart Island School property for fire prevention activities on Stuart Island. Fire Chief Noel Monin was present to answer questions. The Board approved moving forward with planning but did not make a final decision on construction.
Superintendent Woods read a proclamation from Gov. Ferguson for School Board Appreciation Month thanking boards for their dedication to serving our schools. He then reviewed the district’s policy on student immigration status. The district does not ask about the immigration status of a child or a parent. Law enforcement cannot enter the school without permission.
Woods presented how the state funds public schools and the funding shortfalls in the cost of operating the schools. The state sets mandates that all schools must follow but does not fully cover the cost of implementing the mandates. All county school districts are lobbying legislators to fund actual costs. The Stand Together with Our Island Schools campaign asks citizens to make their voices heard in Olympia during this legislative session: www.supportislandschools.org. Superintendent Woods, Kurtz and Heller met in Olympia with legislators about funding for Special Education, MSOC (materials, supplies and operating costs) and Transportation. Representative Heller outlined specific bills that are under review in this legislative session.
ASB Representative Mia Germain presented a poster from the student council thanking the school board. Key club volunteers helping residents at the Village at the Harbor handle daily tasks. Volunteers from the community reviewed Student Community projects. The winter formal raised $500 for charity. Finals were last week, and the stress level is down.
The Board approved the school calendar for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 and the Board calendar for this school year. Total enrollment was 801, slightly above expectations. Financial performance is on target. The board approved policy updates for Nondiscrimination, Student Discipline, Infectious Diseases, Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response, Opioid Related Overdose Reversal, Emergencies. They held a proposed change regarding the Minimum Fund Balance for further discussion in February.