The Edmonds School Board’s Tuesday meeting kicked off with a graduation ceremony to honor students who completed the Open Doors program.
Xavier Glenn, Jackline Feza, Holly Hang and Chandler Olds received their diplomas from Superintendent Dr. Rebecca Miner at Tuesday’s meeting. Ethan Kittleson also graduated but was not present at the ceremony.
Open Doors is a state-funded program offering flexible education options for students who may have dropped out or are at risk of not graduating high school by the age of 21, according to district documents. The program helps students ages 16-21 earn a high school diploma, a GED or a certificate or an associate degree from Edmonds College.
The board also unanimously voted to revert to the district’s 2020 sexual harassment policy after the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to schools nationwide, stating its plans to enforce a 2020 policy providing “Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex in schools and on campuses,” according to the recent “Dear Colleague” letter.
At a board meeting earlier this month, Superintendent Miner said the state recommended the district change the policy as soon as possible to avoid potential litigation.
Unlike the district’s 2024 policy, the 2020 sexual harassment policy doesn’t explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender expression and sexual identity, among other identities. State law does have these protections, however, and it holds more weight than the federal government’s “Dear Colleague” letter, Assistant Superintendent Rob Baumgartner said Tuesday.
“What we have in Washington state has always been stronger,” Baumgartner said. State law “prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation in employment, public housing, public accommodations and education… I feel very confident that we’ll be continuing to protect our students here.”
The updated 2024 policy also has language prohibiting discrimination against pregnant and parenting students – that language is “nonexistent” in the 2020 rules, Baumgartner said.
Regardless of what policy is in place, Baumgartner said the district’s obligations to these students don’t change.
“We’re always going to make sure that they’re accommodated in their education,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that they have the support that they need.”
After hearing Baumgartner’s comments, board members also expressed their confidence in the district’s ability to protect all students, despite the instructions to revert to old policy.
Director Carin Chase said she was “very comfortable taking this action,” as district policy 3211, “Gender Inclusive Schools,” remains in place to protect all students, regardless of what letters the district receives.
District policy 3211 reads:
“The board believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, or sex. To that end, the board recognizes the importance of an inclusive approach toward transgender and gender-expansive students with regard to key terms, communication and the use of names and pronouns, student records, confidential health and education information, communication, restroom and locker room use and accessibility, sports and physical education, dress codes, and other school activities, in order to provide these students with an equal opportunity for learning and achievement.”
After closely reviewing the information available, Board President Nancy Katims said she felt confident in moving forward with the change.
“As the parent of an LGBTQ child who unconditionally loves and supports him and approves completely of his lifestyle, and knowing I have two colleagues on the board who also have children who are LGBTQ, I looked very closely at all of the information about this because I was obviously concerned,” Katims said. “…Whatever version we use of this particular policy, we, I believe, have very strong safeguards in place to protect all our kids from sexual harassment, intimidation and bullying.”
She added that if the district needed to clarify policy in the future to continue to ensure these protections, the board would make those changes.
More on the policy change can be found in Lynnwood Today’s Feb. 13 meeting coverage.
Graduation rates
Edmonds School District’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2024 was 85%, a 2% increase from the past three graduating classes, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Greg Schwab told the board.
The dropout rate decreased from 11% in 2023 to 9% in 2024, and the continuing students rate– students who graduated in four or more years – remained stable, sitting at 7% in 2024, compared to 6% for the class of 2023.
The district’s graduation rate was low compared to nearby districts. At 85%, Edmonds was below the 95% graduation rate for both the Everett and Northshore School Districts in 2024. Shoreline and Tacoma’s districts had a 92% rate, followed by Seattle at 87%.
Edmonds’ rate was the same as that for the Marysville School District and above Mukilteo’s 82% rate. The state’s average graduation rate in 2024 was 83%.
Graduation rates in Edmonds School District increased for most demographics and racial/ethnic groups in 2024. However, graduation rates for Black/African American students fell 4%, from 87% in 2023 to 83% in 2024.
Graduation rates dropped 10% among students with disabilities, falling from 74% in 2023 to 64% in 2024. Multilingual students and students experiencing – or at risk of – homelessness also saw a slight decline in graduation rates.
However, these groups are somewhat small, ranging from around 717 to 10 students, district documents say. That means only one or two students failing to graduate on time could have a big impact on their demographic’s graduation rate.
The district is taking an individual-based approach in an attempt to raise graduation rates, focusing on specific learning plans for each student, Schwab said. Additionally, the district is placing an emphasis on its summer school programs, and allowing more time for students to make up credits online, within school hours, among other actions.
Brier Terrace Middle School presentations
Students from Brier Terrace Middle School gave a presentation on how they and their peers are working to foster a feeling of belonging on campus.
Their goal is to increase the number of students who report a feeling of belonging on the school’s Student Survey of Perceptions from 70% in 2024-2024 to 85% by the 2026-2027 school year, the students said during their presentation.
The W.E.B. – “Where Everybody Belongs” – program is one of the student-led initiatives aiming to foster belonging, In the program, older students help with seventh-grade orientation and welcome new students in as they begin middle school. Students are also directly involved in leading assemblies, planning spirit weeks and other events, offering yet another channel for students to connect.
Students involved in these programs are already seeing the fruits of their labor. The percent of students with 90% attendance sat at 75% in the 2024 spring semester, rising to 79% in the fall 2024 semester and 81% in the winter 2025 semester.
Principal Tulani Freeman followed with a presentation on Brier Terrace students’ state math testing progress.
Student SBA math scores increased by almost 10% Freeman said, jumping from 43% in the 2021-2022 school year to 52% in the 2023-2024 school year.
Students also showed improvement in the school’s online math instruction and assessment program, i-Ready.
In the fall semester, 51% of 7th graders were at or above their grade level, jumping to 57% in the winter semester. 8th grade test scores also jumped from 49% in the fall to 60%.
In other business, the board had its first reading on a proposal to change the district’s naming policy. If approved, the proposed policy change removes the suggestion of naming district-owned buildings and other property after people with local or national prominence, and instead recommending things be named after the area’s geographic characteristics.
The board also received a report on December’s budget status, which was normal and in-line with previous years, staff said. Director Chase also gave a legislative update on a set of education bills on the table for this year’s session.
Additionally, the board unanimously approved small changes to its policies on opioid reversal, infectious disease, and anaphylaxis prevention and response.
The board also approved business meeting dates for the 2025-2026 school year. Meetings are scheduled for the following dates:
Sept. 9, 2025
Sept. 23, 2025
Oct. 14, 2025
Oct. 28, 2025
Nov. 18, 2025
Dec. 9, 2025
Jan. 13, 2026
Jan. 27, 2026
Feb. 10, 2026
Feb. 24, 2026
March 10, 2026
April 14, 2026
April 28, 2026
May 12, 2026
May 26, 2026
June 9, 2026
June 23, 2026
July 7, 2026
Aug.18, 2026
A recording of Tuesday’s meeting can be found on the district’s website.
— Contact Ashley at ashley@myedmondsnews.com.
I don’t know how it will work out but the boys in girls sports and bathroom and locker rooms is a 80-20 issue nationally and the federal government says they are going to cut funding to places that don’t comply, which could mean for this state 1.1 million students at 2500 per child reducing funding by about 2.8 billion. I wonder if this is the issue the schools want to make a stand on.
President Trump issued an executive order prohibiting boys from participating in girls’ sports. As with other states like Maine and New Jersey, Washington State boards of education must follow state law. Consequently, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) presently states that schools shall not discriminate based on, among other categories, sexual orientation. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) follows the OSPI guidelines. The Edmonds school district’s policy on this topic refers to the WIAA website. According to the article referenced here, the WIAA is going to vote in April on an amendment that would change its rule in order to permit only those determined as girls at birth may participate in girls’ sports. https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/sports/2025/01/27/wiaa-policy-on-transgender-athletes-in-washington-sports-headed-for-vote/77935932007/ As Jim points out polls show most do not favor boys in girls’ sports. If the WIAA changes its rule, will it be in conflict with state law? What will the Edmonds school district do with its policy? Will WA join states like Maine and New Jersey in a lawsuit against the executive order of Trump? There is a lot of uncertainty. Money for funding education is vital. My take is that too many people think only in terms of dollars, forgetting the human cost of laws that persecute against minorities. We are talking about a very small number of transgender girls. Accommodations rather than exclusion are possible.
There should be a way to be inclusive without burdening and taking opportunity away from girls. With such high national support I don’t think the feds are going to back down. I think this week through DOGE education was cut 880 million my guess is that is just the cream off the top with more cuts to come. Schools should definitely plan on less federal government funding going forward.
Colleen, you feel deeply about this. Please be aware that I also raised a daughter who participated in sports and now have granddaughters playing for clubs and schools. Like you I also want them to have a “level playing field”.
The NCAA president, Charlie Baker, testified to Congress in December that there were less than 10 transgender girls out of 530,000 student-athletes participating. Then this month Baker praised President Trump’s executive order preventing boys and men participating in girls’ and women’s sports. Baker said the order would bring clarity to an issue confused by a variety of state rules. Over the years the NCAA has changed its rules a couple of times, from allowing participation of transgender women in women’s competitions under certain conditions, to now allowing that participation only in practices, not in NCAA games.
From my point of view, there are so few transgender girls involved in sports, and they face so many challenges in an effort to find their place, we as a society should be able to accommodate them without harming others. What we see now is an effort to find that way.
“There should be a way to be inclusive without burdening and taking opportunity away from girls.”
Well said, though for “opportunity” I might say “opportunity to win,” as no one is being denied participation..
I spent my life is sports, so these questions lie close to my heart. In my sport we tend to have many age classes, so everyone has a chance to feel like a winner – I wonder if a special class for trans girls might be workable, if listed together? Sort of:
GIRLS
1st Place Class B Susan 4:15 (or 20 Points
1st Place Class A Natalie 4:10 (or 19 points)
2nd Place, etc….
Just a wild thought. I can think of reasons why not, but… There is no one solution everyone will like, but at the same time, don’t we want everyone to be able to participate?
A fundamental question remains: WHY do we do sports? To win? To grow? Health? Participation with a group? In my view, winning, at the High School level, is highly over-stressed.
Nathaniel the reason we play/participate is for achievement. A sense of accomplishment. We as a society strive to make things equal, certainly this as done now doesn’t make things equal it gives a rare person extreme benefit at the detriment to another’s.
The H.S 400M women’s state Champion in Track & Field was a biological male last year (also in Oregon) the issue of biological males in women’s sports is more prolific than you may believe. Everyone should be treated with respect, that includes keeping women’s athletics protected, Otherwise let’s change it to CO-ED. BTW the biological male’s 400m time last year would not have qualified in the Men’s races to enter a State meet. It’s a difficult position the leadership of our school district is in, but maybe they can dig down deep and find the courage and do what is right.
Perhaps create a co-ed option or something is a possible solution.
Yes, Michael, this (coed teams) is one of the items that the WIAA is voting on. In the article I reference earlier the 400 m race you mention was noted. The NCAA is trying another accommodation. They will allow transgender women to practice with women’s teams, but not participate in NCAA league games. We are clearly at a time when institutions are trying to find answers that are in keeping with the values defined in our Constitution.
Michael Molly, maybe you missed this UN report regarding medals lost in Women sports.
Encourage you to google “UN report and medals lost in female sports.” Here is one link below. I appreciate your info on NCAA and WIAA.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/female-athletes-lost-nearly-900-medals-to-transgender-competitors-un-report-6857482/amp/1
Michael McMurray, no, I did not see the article that you reference. This article is on NDTV.com and refers to a UN report. The most I could get from the UN report is it’s about violence against girls and women in some sports when they compete against boys and men. I don’t think anyone would argue with this. The question I have been referring to regards transgender girls. How can they be accommodated without disadvantaging girls and women? There are so few transgender girls, and even fewer who wish to play sports.
Female athletes worldwide have lost nearly 900 medals to biological males, according to the UN in 2024. I don’t agree it’s a rare occurrence, especially since locally our State Champion in Wa and Oregon was a biological male last year in women’s track event, just my opinion. Hope WIAA can come to some solutions that is respectful for everyone, I feel they can.
Sure would like to see the UN link to that report, Michael McMurray. I couldn’t find it. It is in the NDTV.com article. That is not a UN report. I agree that men can injure women while playing some sports. The number of occurrences of lost medals seems out of step with what I have read. I am pleased that we agree that some kind of accommodation for transgender girls and women can be found that does not hurt females who want to compete females.
Michael Molly, that was just the second link that came up. Here is the UN doc, page#5 references medals lost, a lot to unpack in this report. I think we both agree we want everyone to be able participate in sports and be included and respected. Additional Co-Ed type setup seems most logical to me moving forward.
Cheers
Mike
https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/249/94/pdf/n2424994.pdf
This is wrong on so many levels. What do I tell the girls in my family that the 12 years of effort and hard work that they have dedicated to their sports doesn’t really matter? A biological male can now compete against them. The biological male that couldn’t compete against other males and win. Those girls can’t get the awards, scholarships and recognition they so richly deserve. How do the valuable lessons of competing in sports and learning to work as a team for a common goal and the self confidence they gain mean nothing. This IS cheating. It’s no different then the person who cheats on tests in class to earn a higher grade than they deserve. The enrollment in public schools in this state will only decline.
Colleen, the answer to your question, “What do I tell the girls?” You tell them “Trans girls are girls and transwomen are women” then you go on with your life. Transfolx participation in this world literally does not take anything from you or your family. They can still work hard and enjoy the world and anccumulate all of those accolades that you claim “they richly deserve.” They can do all of that AND learn to respect others at the same time. I promise. You, and the girls in your family, can do hard things. Just pull up your bootstraps and do the next right thing.
Ever wonder why there is no pushback regarding females who present as male competing againsts males? It’s not happening because biologically women do not typically have more physical strength than males.
Women competing against males are not breaking records. Biologically, men have a physical advantage over females. That’s a fact. That’s science.
This position of allowing males to compete against females ignores biology. Let’s have a third categorgy for sports rather than discriminate against women. That’s not mean, it’s simply the right thing to do.
Rebecca, one thing that I have observed over the years is how biology, rather what we know about biology has changed. With that knowledge has come the ability of humans to alter their biology: in-vitro fertilization, genetics, transplantation. gender-altering therapy, and in other ways. I do not disagree with you as long as you also admit that many women are stronger physically than many men. The general rule in our culture is as you say. I have read that somewhere between 1-2% of people experience some confusion about their gender identification at birth. It is fair to expect that they will attempt to live with the biology to which they identify. It’s interesting that you suggest a third category for sports. This is one option discussed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
My biology college professor way back in the day informed us students that at least 4% of the population across the entire animal kingdom was born in the wrong gender, so I’m thankful we live in a time when people struggling with this situation can live the life they where meant to live.
The same science also shows people wrongfully born with male Biology have a clear advantage physically over women’s physical biology, more muscle twitch fibers and larger lung capacity to name a few.
The essence of sports is competition on a level and fair playing field. So if one is to believe in science of wrongful gender assignment in nature ( I do) one should also acknowledge the science that biological males have a clear physical advantage over women’s biology regarding strength and endurance. An average or even sub average biological male athlete can dominate women’s sports in a variety of categories as we have witnessed recently.
This becomes more difficult at college level as athletes are more like minor professionals.
At the H.S level it’s a disastrous and growing disruption of fair play in girls/women’s sports. Just my observation (Tumwater school district now has a conflict in girls basketball this last week) Michael Molly, Here is a link:
https://nypost.com/2024/10/23/world-news/un-reveals-how-many-female-athletes-have-lost-medals-to-trans-opponents-in-explosive-report/
Time for a walk, enjoy the sunny day.
Come on Michael Mc, this is a New York Post article. It references a UN report, but does not give a link to it. Then it says that the person who reported the statistics to the UN gave no details about when or where the events happened. Again, I do not doubt that girls/women have lost medals in competition with boys/men. I am suspicious of the high number. I do not want females to unfairly lose medals when in competition against transgender females. These transgender females may bring advantages due to their male characteristics. Again, my point is that the number of transgender females is so small that we should be able to allow them to compete is some way. I heard a representative of North Dakota sport comment that he thought there were four transgender student-athletes in his state. I do not know if he was accurate. I do know that the NCAA president told Congress under oath that he was aware of less than 10 student-athletes out of 530,000 total. States, the NCAA and the Olympics organization are trying to figure out a way.
There is actually a lot of pushback from people who believe that a “female” is “presenting as male” actually, in all areas. Someone, once upon a time, actually made up some fake rules about what a female should look and sound and smell and run and throw and behave like. And we (white supremacy) VIOLENTLY continue to believe and uphold and enforce this made up presentation olympics fallacy against each other EVERY DAY. Have you never once ever thought that we should all just unsubscribe from all of that oppressive nonsense? How much time do we each spend every day fussing over our presentation before we go outside because we want to be sure our appearance matches society’s expectations? Gave you somehow magically dodged this “pushback” your whole life? It’s literally fake yet there is an entire multi-trillion dollar economy depending on you avoiding that pushback. Enjoy.
I heard this quote this morning,” instead of focusing on the locker room and the bathroom let’s focus on the classroom.” Reading and math skills are atrocious in this country.
In my experience, we can focus on more than one or two things, and sports participation/exercise enhances the ability to study. The fault lies elsewhere.
Funny thing about that quote, Brian. When I have to use to the bathroom, I have difficulty focusing on my studies in the classroom. When I am on the court of a game in my gym class, I get a lot of pushback from my teammates if I am not paying attention. If my bladder is empty and I have worked off some calories in a sport competition, I find I can more correctly solve the next quadratic equation in my math class. Go figure!
Fortunately for you Michael I’m assuming that you got an education. Students today as a whole are not meeting their minimum requirements in math, science or reading, It comes down to priorities and focus.
Glad to see that you are thinking beyond cute quotes to priorities and focus. What gave away my education? Quadratic equation? Actually, I asked a neighbor for a math term. When my
math teacher was talking about “pi”, I thought I was in home economics!
These are tough times for schools, students and parents: gun violence, homelessness, low vaccination rates, funding questions, curriculum fights, book banning. I’m must be forgetting other issues. Let’s not sacrifice art, music and PE in an effort to focus on the Three R’s.
If you are biologically a boy, but you identify psychologically as a girl, and you win the state championship in a female 100 YD. dash event, aren’t you sort of just unavoidably and situationally fooling yourself, if you accept that award as truly dominating all other females in that race. I sympathize totally about how horrible it must be to feel like a girl imprisoned in a man’s body and the extreme need to resolve that disconnect as much as possible at the personal individual level but I think it’s a little unfair to females who identify as females biologically and psychologically to take what might have otherwise been their award. Maybe when a biological male wins such an award competing against biological women, dual state championship awards should be granted so no one feels or appears cheated in the process. This would be especially valuable in the unlikely event that Transgender individuals came in first and second in a specific event. In that case first and third would get the two championship awards so no one felt cheated.
When people put their minds to accommodation, and avoid exclusion as the only answer, all kinds of outcomes are possible. Having never doubted the correctness of my sex at birth, I can only pretend to understand the emotions of those who doubt what they are. I know that many contemplate suicide. We as a society should be able to help them without harming girls/women born as females.