Bellingham Public Schools public meetings in 2024
33 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Board Meeting
The school board will elect officers during its annual organizational meeting and then consider a consent agenda that includes final acceptance of the new District Office project ($33,411,888.34) and the Bellingham High School Athletic Buildings Part 2 ($1,364,392.76), a transfer of $342,868.58 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund, and updates to Policy 6220 on bid requirements.
- Annual organizational meeting and election of officers
- Resolution 32-24: Transfer $342,868.58 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Resolution 33-24: Final acceptance of New District Office project at $33,411,888.34
- Resolution 34-24: Final acceptance of Bellingham High School Athletic Buildings Part 2 at $1,364,392.76
- Policy 6220 update on bid requirements
School Board Visit - Sehome High School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Sehome High School at 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway on December 3, 2024, to observe school operations. This is an informational visit and does not include public comment.
- Board visit to Sehome High School
- Location: 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway
- Time: 7:30 a.m., December 3, 2024
Special Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
This is a special meeting of the Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors held during the WSSDA Annual Conference in Spokane. The agenda consists only of a general discussion item on school district initiatives, issues, and business in an unstructured format. No public comment or formal action is scheduled. The board will not hold a regular meeting at this time.
- Meeting location: Spencer's for Steaks and Chops, 322 N. Spokane Falls Court, Spokane, WA
- General discussion of school district initiatives, issues, and general business
- No public comment period or formal decisions listed on the agenda
Special Meeting, 3:00 p.m.
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special meeting in Spokane to discuss legislative advocacy, receive superintendent updates, and review the volunteer application process. The meeting will not include public comment.
- School Board Legislative Advocacy discussion
- Superintendent Updates
- Volunteer Applications review
- Meeting held at Davenport Grand in Spokane
- No public comment scheduled
Regular Board Meeting and Study Session
The Board will conduct a study session focused on school safety. The meeting also includes several consent items regarding district finances, tax certifications, and the final acceptance of construction projects.
- Final acceptance of Kulshan Middle School addition costing $4,615,019.64
- Final acceptance of Security Enhancements Phase 2 project costing $2,559,969.55
- Certification of 2025 excess property taxes with a calculated levy lid of $36,176,425
- Transfer of $762,241.83 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund
- Approval of October 2024 expenditures and payroll
School Board Special Meeting/Student Roundtable
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special meeting focused on a student roundtable to discuss cell phone use in schools. The event is scheduled for 1:50 p.m. on October 23, 2024, at Bellingham High School and will not include public comment.
- Student roundtable on cell phone use in schools
- Special meeting at Bellingham High School
- No public comment time scheduled
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will consider a grant for solar energy projects and a fund transfer for qualifying expenses. The board is also reviewing monitoring reports on superintendent expectations and race and equity.
- Conditional award of $2,745,034.00 from Department of Commerce for solar arrays at Alderwood, Happy Valley, Sunnyland Elementary, Shuksan Middle, and Options High School
- Resolution 25-24 to transfer $133,486.59 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund
- Amendment to the Whatcom Discovery Program Interlocal Agreement for special education services for three students
- Agreement with the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation for financial support
- Approval of September 2024 expenditures and payroll
School Board Visit - Happy Valley Elementary School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Happy Valley Elementary School on October 1, 2024, to observe school operations. This is an informational visit at 7:30 a.m. and does not include a public comment period.
- Board visit to Happy Valley Elementary School
- Meeting at 1041 - 24th St., Bellingham, WA
- No public comment period scheduled
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will meet to approve consent items including the purchase of property near Bellingham and Options High Schools, a transfer of funds, and updates to high school graduation policies.
- Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement for 310 Iowa St.
- Transfer of $479,125.26 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Award of K-8th Grade Student Assessment System to Curriculum Associates
- Policy 2410 update for High School Graduation Requirements
- Policy 2415 (New) for Performance-Based Pathway for High School Graduation
Special Meeting
The Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at the District Office. The agenda consists of informational items and discussions, including superintendent updates for the 2024-25 school year. This is not a regular meeting and does not include public comment time.
- Superintendent Updates/Reflections for 2024-25
- Engaging Our Community discussion
- Board Learning discussion
- Board Connections discussion
- Committee discussions
Regular Board Meeting with Public Hearing
The Bellingham School Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2024-25 budget, then vote on its adoption via Resolution 22-24. Other consent items include approval of July expenditures, a $343,173 fund transfer from Capital Projects to the General Fund, and updates to policies on facility use and budget planning.
- Public hearing and adoption of 2024-25 district budget (General Fund expenditures $230,696,333)
- Resolution 22-24 fixing and adopting the 2024-25 budget
- Resolution 23-24 transferring $343,173.26 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Update to Policy 4260 (Use of School Facilities) and Policy 6000 (Program Planning, Budget Preparation)
- Approval of student fines and fees schedule for 2024-25
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham School Board will meet to approve a consent agenda including minutes, payroll, and resolutions for the 2024-25 meeting schedule, a $153,511 fund transfer, and construction projects for a new district office and community transitions.
- Approval of June 2024 expenditures and payroll
- Transfer of $153,511.49 from Capital Projects to General Fund
- Resolution 18-24 sets 2024-25 regular meeting schedule
- Resolution 21-24 authorizes purchase of 1,000 sq ft property at 1835 Barkley Blvd
- Approval of Change Order #22 for New District Office
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham School Board will meet to approve consent items including the approval of minutes, expenditures, and resolutions for a health center grant, WIAA delegation, and fund transfers. The meeting will also include an opening acknowledgment and a public comment period.
- Approval of $300,000 State Capital Grant for Options High School health center
- Transfer of $299,367.95 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Transfer of $180,000 from Debt Service Fund investment earnings to General Fund
- Acceptance of $5,000 donation from Chuckanut Health Foundation
- Approval of easement agreement for Gordon Carter Environmental Education Site
School Board Visit - Wade King Elementary School
The Board of Directors of Bellingham Public Schools will visit Wade King Elementary School on June 4, 2024. The purpose of the visit is to learn how the school is delivering upon The Bellingham Promise. This is not a regular meeting and does not include public comment.
- Visit to Wade King Elementary School at 2155 Yew Street Rd.
School Board Special Meeting - Community Linkage
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special meeting to discuss the Bellingham Family Partnership Program. The session is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on May 22, 2024, at the program's location on 18th Street. This meeting is not a regular session and will not include public comment.
- Discussion of Bellingham Family Partnership Program
- Meeting held at 1409 18th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
- No public comment period scheduled
Regular Board Meeting and Study Session
The board will vote on consent items including Resolution 13-24 declaring intent to construct the Carl Cozier Elementary School rebuild, a requirement for state construction assistance. It will also consider a $71,268.22 transfer from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund, a solar feasibility study grant, and a parking license agreement. The meeting includes a study session on International Baccalaureate.
- Resolution 13-24: Intent to construct Carl Cozier Elementary School rebuild (state funding requirement)
- Resolution 12-24: Transfer $71,268.22 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund for qualifying expenses
- Interagency agreement with WA Dept. of Commerce for $100,000 solar/storage feasibility study at four schools
- Agreement with Coast to Coast Turf, Inc. for Kulshan Middle School field renovation
- Permanent parking license with Moreno Dental, LLC and Hodag Properties for 5 parking stalls at new District Office
School Board Visit - Alderwood Elementary School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Alderwood Elementary School on May 7, 2024, to observe school operations. This is an informational visit and does not include a public comment period.
- Visit Alderwood Elementary School at 3400 Alderwood Ave.
- Meeting time: 7:30 a.m.
- No public comment period scheduled
Special Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special meeting in Friday Harbor to discuss district initiatives and business without a public comment period. The board is also attending a regional meeting in the area on the following day.
- Meeting at Duck Soup, 50 Duck Soup Lane, Friday Harbor, WA
- Discussion of school district initiatives and general business
- No public comment period scheduled
- Board to attend WSSDA DA-1 Regional Meeting on April 27
Special Meeting, 3:30 p.m. - Retreat
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors is holding a special meeting/retreat at the San Juan Island School District office. This is not a regular meeting and will not include public comment time. The board will discuss board improvement through a WSSDA self-assessment, board visibility and advocacy, and related governance documents.
- Discussion of board improvement using WSSDA self-assessment
- Discussion of board visibility and advocacy
- Review of GP-7.1 Board Self-Assessment Document
- Review of B/SR 3.1.1 Board Monitoring Response Document for Ends Reports
Regular Board Meeting
The Board will review several consent items, including the disposition of a former district office and a fund transfer. The meeting also includes reports on academic standards and the district calendar.
- Resolution 11-24: Declaration of surplus property for the former District Office at 1306 Dupont Street
- Resolution 09-24: Transfer of $97,248.36 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Service agreement with Ednetics, Inc. for managed broadband services
- Interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for community immunization clinics
- Proposed revisions to Policy 1400 regarding meeting conduct, order of business, and quorum
School Board Visit - Squalicum High School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Squalicum High School to observe the delivery of The Bellingham Promise. This is not a regular school board meeting and does not include public comment.
- Visit to Squalicum High School at 3773 E. McLeod Road
Special Meeting via Zoom
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special Zoom meeting on April 12, 2024, to adopt a resolution modifying the dates of the remaining 2023-24 regular meetings. The meeting will not include public comment time.
- Resolution 10-24: Modifies 2023-24 regular meeting schedule
- Special meeting via Zoom on April 12, 2024
- No public comment time scheduled
School Board Special Meeting - Community Linkage
The Bellingham School Board will hold a special meeting to discuss Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The session is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on March 26, 2024, at the District Office. The meeting is not a regular session and will not include public comment time.
- Discussion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
- Meeting held at District Office, 1985 Barkley Boulevard
- No public comment time scheduled
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham Public Schools Board will hold a public hearing to take testimony for and against the proposed sale of a 1.1-acre vacant parcel east of West Maplewood Avenue. Later, they will vote on Resolution 08-24 to authorize the sale. Other consent items include approval of February expenditures, a $133,416.52 fund transfer, a $100,000 state grant for a solar feasibility study, and contracts for special education services.
- Public hearing on selling 1.1-acre parcel east of West Maplewood Ave (Parcel No. 380214406358)
- Resolution 08-24 authorizing sale of surplus district-owned property (West Maplewood)
- Transfer of $133,416.52 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund (Resolution 07-24)
- $100,000 Washington State Department of Commerce grant for solar feasibility study at four schools
- Addendum to Sendan Center agreement for additional special education behavior services
School Board Special Meeting
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will hold a special meeting on March 6, 2024, at Scotty Browns Barkley Village. The session is scheduled for unstructured discussion of general school district business and initiatives that affect local students and staff. No formal votes, public comment periods, or specific action items are on the agenda.
- General unstructured discussion of school district initiatives and business
Special Meeting - Tour of New District Office
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will conduct a tour of the new District Office located at 1985 Barkley Blvd. on March 6, 2024 at 5:15 p.m. This is a special, non‑regular meeting and audience comments are not permitted. No formal decisions or votes are scheduled for this meeting.
- Tour of the new District Office at 1985 Barkley Blvd.
School Board Visit - Lowell Elementary School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Lowell Elementary School on March 5, 2024, to observe school operations. This is an informational visit at 7:30 a.m. and will not include public comment.
- School Board Visit - Lowell Elementary School
- Location: 914 - 15th Street, Bellingham, WA
- Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024
- Time: 7:30 a.m.
- No public comment time scheduled
School Board Special Meeting/Student Roundtable
The school board will conduct a student roundtable discussion regarding the GSA Club. This is a special meeting and does not include public comment time.
- Student roundtable discussion on the GSA Club
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham School Board will meet to approve consent items including emergency repairs for Sehome High School, a $21,000 donation for band instruments, and the transfer of $62,678.60 from the Capital Projects Fund to the General Fund.
- Emergency repairs at Sehome High School
- $21,000 donation for Sehome High School band
- Transfer of $62,678.60 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Hire appraiser for Carl Cozier Elementary School
- Approval of January 2024 expenditures and payroll
School Board Visit - Kulshan Middle School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will visit Kulshan Middle School on February 6, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. This is a school visit to observe how the school delivers on The Bellingham Promise, not a regular board meeting; no public comment or formal decisions will occur.
- Visit to Kulshan Middle School, 1250 Kenoyer Drive, Bellingham, WA
Special Meeting
The Board of Directors is holding a special meeting to address emergency repairs at Bellingham High School. The board will consider a resolution to waive competitive bidding requirements to expedite repairs following a burst water pipe.
- Resolution 04-24: Declaration of an Emergency and Waiver of Bidding Requirements for water damage repairs at Bellingham High School
Regular Board Meeting
The Bellingham School Board will meet to approve consent items, including emergency repairs for water-damaged district offices, a transfer of funds, and agreements for a new district office and a cafe.
- Approval of emergency water damage repairs at 1306 Dupont Street
- Transfer of $52,266.49 from Capital Projects Fund to General Fund
- Purchase of 1,000 sq ft of property for New District Office project
- Vendor agreement for a cafe at the new District Office
- Approval of Sunnyland Elementary School Building Commissioning Report
School Board Visit - Northern Heights Elementary School
The Bellingham Public Schools Board of Directors will hold a school visit to Northern Heights Elementary School, 4000 Magrath Road, on January 9, 2024. This is not a regular board meeting and will not include public comment. The purpose is to observe how the school delivers The Bellingham Promise.
- Visit to Northern Heights Elementary School at 4000 Magrath Road