Submitted by The League of Women Voters Observer Corps.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, 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.
Friday Harbor Port Commission regular meeting of Oct.25
Commissioner Black asked for clarification about road access to the proposed pickleball facility on Saltwater Farms in the minutes from the Oct. 11 meeting. Access will be from Weber Way until a new access point from Shelter Road is built. Maintenance costs for Weber Way will be split between the Port and Saltwater Farms in the lease agreement.
The commission approved the Blake Marine lease for a 5-year term from Nov. 1, then a year-to-year renewal option. There is good community feedback on the company.
The commission approved Resolution 24-011 to establish a separate payroll bank account for the payroll company that has taken over from the county; and Resolution 24-012 to authorize access to the bank safe deposit box for a new staff member. The executive director reported the remodel of A Hangar is complete and San Juan Canvas has a new owner.
The commission reviewed the Citizen Budget Guide. The CPI rate changed to 3.1%. Wages are the largest expenditure for the Port. The items under “Other” are insurance and surety expenditures. Funds from federal assurances are solely for airport projects. Grant revenue was high and despite supply chain issues, the new electric travel lift and other electrification projects will be completed. There will be four 4 fast chargers and nine level-2 chargers at the Port. Two Port staff will go to Wisconsin for training on the new travel lift. The old travel lift will be traded in to cover expenses. 2025 projections show operating revenues at 69% and nonoperating revenues at 31% of the total projected revenue. The full Budget Guide will be available to the public on the Port’s website and there will be a link in the next newsletter.
The commission decided to add a discussion item for an upcoming meeting on policies regarding public spaces and whether the Port should follow the Town’s policies or create an ad hoc committee to advise on public space policy. Commissioner Marrett offered to be the liaison between the Port and the Town.
Commissioner Goodheart said the state audit had gone well and congratulated Mike with the IT department on a good job well done. The FAA has made its final decisions on the regulations for the training and certification of pilots to fly electric aircraft.
Commissioner Black said he would like to see the Port and the Home Trust find opportunities to collaborate.
SJI School Board regular meeting of Oct. 30
Superintendent Fred Woods reported that they will begin to assess the cost of needed repairs for the two main school buildings. The recent legislative visit to Olympia addressed special education needs where the district has had a gap between funding and expenses for the last six years. He encouraged attendance at the planned Jan. 11-12 lobbying event.
The board approved the 2024-2025 School Improvement Plans for Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Middle School, Friday Harbor High School and Griffin Bay School. SIPs include actions to improve student-to-student and student-to-adult connections so that each student has someone to talk to.
Woods presented for Griffin Bay School, Principal Andrea Hillman for the high school, Principal Holly Wehner for the elementary school and Principal Rod Turnbull for the middle school. In the elementary school, some children do not have the language skills or vocabulary to explain their feelings. In the high school, a survey revealed that most feel treated well by their peers. At Griffin Bay School reading proficiency has improved somewhat. Some students attend GBS remotely 100% of the time and others attend school sporadically, making it more difficult to measure progress. Feedback from underperforming students said, “No one misses me if I am absent.” To encourage and create a positive environment, the teachers have started a postcard campaign to let students know they are missed when not in class.
The student body representative updated the board on high school student activities, including the Halloween trash pickup party, sports, the startup of 12 clubs, the No Backpacks Day, Homecoming and the pending visit of representatives from 22 colleges and universities.
Total expected enrollment for the district is 780 versus 772 in 2023-2024, a slight increase over last year. Enrollment increases in October will help close the gap between budget and actual enrollment if the trend holds until year-end.
