Vancouver Public Schools board weighs $5M staffing contract, 2026-27 budget
The Vancouver Public Schools Board of Directors held four meetings in the past two weeks, taking up a $5 million staffing contract, a $550,000 therapeutic education agreement, and the proposed 2026-27 budget. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings, so the board's final votes are not yet known.
Special workshop on superintendent roles
On August 10, the board met in a special workshop to discuss superintendent-board relationships and board roles and responsibilities, facilitated by the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA). The agenda included an executive session on personnel performance but no action items or public comment. No decisions were expected.
Regular meeting: staffing and service contracts
The board's regular business meeting on August 11 featured a consent agenda with several large contracts. The most significant was a $5,000,000 client services agreement with Amergis Education for contracted health care and behavioral staff, including nurses, board-certified behavior analysts, registered behavior technicians, occupational and speech therapists, and paraprofessionals for the 2026-27 school year.
Also on the consent agenda:
- A $235,000 interlocal agreement with Eva Carlston Academy for residential treatment for one VPS student.
- A $550,000 interlocal agreement with ESD112 Curae Academy for therapeutic education services.
- A $161,744.80 purchase of CrowdStrike endpoint security software through an OMNIA contract.
- An out-of-state travel request for the Hudson's Bay cheer squad to attend JAMZ School Cheer Nationals in Las Vegas, with an estimated cost of $30,000.
Workshop on enrollment and school programs
Later on August 11, the board held a second special workshop, in person only, with no public comment or action. Discussions covered board meeting sequencing, alternative education, middle schools, dual language schools, and student enrollment and building capacity. The meeting recessed to an executive session on personnel performance before resuming and adjourning.
Budget adoption and policy revision
On August 18, the board held a special meeting with a public hearing and consideration of several resolutions:
- Resolution No. 949, adopting the 2026-27 budget.
- Resolution No. 947, a budget extension for 2025-26.
- Resolution No. 948, a petition for binding conditions.
- A second reading and vote on revised Policy 1630, Evaluation of the Superintendent.
An executive session on personnel performance was also scheduled, with no action to follow.
Coming up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next two weeks. The board's next regular meeting has not been announced.