November 8, 2019 Mr. Chris Reykdal, Superintendent Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Old Capitol Building P.O. Box 47200 Olympia, WA 98504-7200 Dear Superintendent Reykdal, As you are aware, EHB2242 Sec. 903-906 established a technical work group to make recommendations for a possible phase-in of Enriched Staffing Values beginning in the 2019-21 biennium in order to: 1. Reduce the opportunity gap 2. Assist struggling students 3. Enhance the educational outcomes for all students 4. Strengthen support for all schools and school district staff We write in regard to the committee’s recommendation that a new category be established – Social Emotional Learning – comprised of categories already included in the prototypical funding model. Areas included are: § Health and social services § School nurses § Social workers and school counselors § Psychologists § Mental health services § School safety (students and staff) The request to be made of the Legislature is that any new enhancements would be directed to the area of Social Emotional Learning, based on local decision-making, rather than to general salary enhancements. Further, the committee is recommending additional professional development days for all staff, to include three days of culturally relevant anti-racism training (which has been developed by the Washington Education Association) for all school employees on an annual basis. We write to convey our support for this general recommendation, albeit with flexibility that the content of the professional development can be determined at the local school district level. Sincerely, The Superintendents of the 59 public school districts in the NEWESD 101 Region Ms. Shauna Schmerer, Almira Mr. Bob Moore, Benge Mr. Ben Small, Central Valley Mr. Rob Roettger, Cheney Mr. Richard McFarland, Chewelah Mr. Jerry Pugh, Colfax Mr. Paul Clark, Colton Dr. William Wadlington, Columbia Mr. Pete Lewis, Colville Dr. John Glenewinkel, Curlew Mr. Don Hawpe, Cusick Mr. Jim Kowalkowski, Davenport Mr. Travis Hanson, Deer Park Mr. Kelly Shea, East Valley Mr. Bill Glidewell, Evergreen Dr. Randy Russell, Freeman Mr. Zane Wells, Garfield Mr. Wayne Massie, Harrington Mr. Kim Spacek, Inchelium Mr. Steve Gaub, Keller Mr. Michael Olsen, Kettle Falls Mr. Doug Curtis, LaCrosse Mr. Todd Spear, Lamont Mr. Brett Baum, Liberty Mr. Don Vanderholm, Lind/Ritzville Mr. Brad Van Dyne, Loon Lake Mr. Rick Winters, Mary Walker Mr. Shawn Woodward, Mead Mr. Tim Ames, Medical Lake Dr. Dave Smith, Newport Mr. Brian Talbott, Nine Mile Falls Mr. Don Baribault, Northport Dr. Jake Dingman, Oakesdale Mr. Dan Read, Odessa Mr. Kay Frizzell, Great Northern/Steptoe Ms. Rebekah Angus, Onion Creek Mr. Howard King, Orchard Prairie Ms. Sherry Cowbrough, Orient Mr. Calvin Johnson, Palouse Dr. Robert Maxwell, Pullman Mr. Marcus Morgan, Reardan-Edwall Mr. Kevin Young, Republic Dr. Ken Russell, Riverside Mr. Rick Linehan, Rosalia Ms. Nancy Lotze, Selkirk Dr. Shelley Redinger, Spokane Mr. Bill Ressel, Sprague Ms. Suzanne Schmick, St. John/Endicott Ms. Kristina Allen, Summit Valley Mr. Mark Heid, Tekoa Mr. Ben Ferney, Valley Mr. Vance Wing, Washtucna Mr. John Adkins, Wellpinit Dr. Gene Sementi, West Valley Mr. Chuck Wyborney, Wilbur/Creston request from the superintendents of the 59 public school districts in the NEWESD 101 region