9.11.26 School Board Retreat

The Darrington School District board retreat on September 25, 2026, covered strategic planning, staffing and budget constraints, facilities projects, and community engagement. The board discussed updating the district’s strategic plan, noting that a consultant-led process used by another district cost $15,000 plus $3,000 for a board presentation and travel. Members favored beginning with feedback on the existing plan and developing a manageable schedule rather than committing to an intensive review immediately. No strategic-plan or consultant procurement decision was made. The board also discussed a roughly $3,000 annual cost for a classroom communication feature in the district’s website/app and grant support for classroom and student activities, including 3D-printing supplies estimated at $3,000 per year.

Facilities and funding discussions included approximately $20,000 remaining in capital-project funds after prior work on the elementary roof, HVAC, security, paving, irrigation, and the solar project, including a $30,000 solar match. The district is seeking additional bids for an ADA-accessibility project involving a more accessible bathroom and high-school entrance access; the initial bid did not include the exterior curb work the district considers important. Grant funds were approved for an independent electrical engineer to investigate unexplained HVAC electrical spikes. The district reported that it contracted roof work directly rather than through a project manager, saving money, and noted that the new bus had arrived, with another expected in summer. The board passed a banking action to remove Sydney Offers from the high-school account and add Sha Brown to the high-school and elementary accounts as authorized signers. No new construction contract award or bid approval was recorded.