2526-004%20Interdistrict%20Cooperative%20Agreement.pdf

Parent document: Regular Board Meeting and Study Session-04-17-2025.pdf

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INTERDISTRICT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE FINANCING AND OPERATION
OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY SKILLS CENTER, A WASHINGTON STATE SKILLS CENTER

This Agreement by and between the following school districts (each hereinafter referred to as "Member
District") and community colleges provides for the operation of the Whatcom County Skills Center, a
Washington State Skills Center (hereinafter referred to as the "WCSC").

Bellingham School District
Blaine School District

Ferndale School District

Lynden School District
Meridian School District
Nooksack Valley School District
Mount Baker School District

This Agreement dated May 1, 2025 establishes the WCSC to begin operating during the 2026-27 school

year. It is agreed by and among the several parties hereto as follows.

I. Needs and Purpose of Operation

The WCSC was established to provide education in career and technical education areas through
a wider curriculum offering. The WCSC will not restrict local program development but will
avoid unnecessary duplication of courses and expensive training equipment. It is further desired
to provide flexibility in operation which will facilitate rapid program adjustments and meet

emerging educational needs as they arise.

Il. Terms of Agreement
The term of this Agreement shall be for ten years on a fiscal year basis beginning July 1, 2026,

the date the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) recognizes the Inter-District
Cooperative Agreement for the financing and operation of the WCSC, and is subject to the
provisions for amendment, withdrawal, or dissolution contained herein. This agreement will be

reviewed annual by the Administrative Council.

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I. Location of Serving Facility
The WCSC main campus is located temporarily at 214 West Laurel Road, Bellingham,
Washington. It will move to a permanent location on the Guide Meridian, Bellingham,
Washington, when funding is provided by the Washington State Legislature and construction is
completed, currently slated for the 2027-2029 biennium.

IV. Administrative Structure
A. Administrative oversight of WCSC shall be provided by the WCSC Administrative Council,

which will consist of the Superintendent or his/her designee from each member district.
Each member of the Council shall have an equal vote. The WCSC director will serve as
secretary and ex-officio member of the Administrative Council. To avoid conflicts of
interest, the host district Superintendent may not serve as the Administrative Council Chair.

B. Meridian School District, known as the Fiscal Management Agency, shall manage the
WCSC under the direction and policies formulated by the Administrative Council. In the
absence of such direction and policies and to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of
this Agreement, general operating rules and regulations shall follow Meridian School
District policies and procedures. The fiscal agent will have responsibility for human
resource functions unless the staff is under contract with another agency or school district.

C. The Administrative Council will be responsive to the director of the WCSC to assist with
the operational decisions and emergencies.

D. The Administrative Council will govern the WCSC under the direction and policies
formulated and shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Ensure that the cooperative is operating in a manner consistent with this Agreement.

2. Formulate and establish policy relating to the operations of the Skills Center.

oS)

Receive and act on recommendations from the member districts, the WCSC
Director and such advisory committees as might subsequently be established.
Review and/or approve rules and regulations concerning operations of the WCSC.
Determine organization and staffing levels of the WCSC.

Select, supervise and annually evaluate the WCSC director.

Review and approve course offerings.

ant nM

Determine the slot assignments, if applicable, of students from the Member
Districts.

9. Establish and amend by-laws to govern Administrative Council organization,
composition and conduct.

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E. A General Advisory Council (GAC) shall be created to serve as an advisory and
coordinating link between the WCSC and the business communities within the Member
Districts. GAC members shall represent both employers and employees. Selection and

appointment to the GAC shall be made by the Administrative Council.

V. Description of Joint Financing Arrangement
A. Capital Investment

CAPITAL MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT | YEARLY CONTRIBUTION

Large Size District >6,000

e Bellingham School District

Moderate Size District >1,000 — 5,999

Blaine School District

Ferndale School District

Lynden School District
Meridian School District

Mount Baker School District
Nooksack Valley School District

Small Size District < 999
e

YEARLY TOTAL $22,000

It is hereby mutually agreed that the Member Districts shall provide the necessary building
facilities and equipment in accordance with an asset preservation program compliant with
WAC 293-347-023. Future capital improvements and major equipment purchases shall be
financed according to a separate plan compliant with WAC 392-600-040.

CAPITAL MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS BY
CONSORTIUM DISTRICTS (per WAC 392-600-040)

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B. Operational Costs
1. The cost of operating the WCSC may be met in the following manner:

a. State apportionment funds from state support for secondary vocational
students enrolled in the WCSC.

b. Any federal, state, local or private allotments, grants, or contract training
agreements received expressly for the WCSC.

c. Any federal or state special purpose allotments or grants received by
Member Districts.

d. Any interlocal FTE agreements with community or technical colleges.

2. Definition of Terms

a. Cost of Operation: Cost of operation is defined to mean the total cost of
operating the WCSC program, but specifically excludes capital investments
and major items of equipment.

b. Student Enrollment Hours: Student enrollment hours are hereby defined to
mean the hours for which each student is enrolled and carried on the WCSC
register without regard to the actual attendance of students at the WCSC.

c. State Apportionment Funds: State apportionment funds are those funds paid
by the state in support of approved program offerings of the WCSC.
Students enrolled in both a high school and the WCSC may be claimed for
up to a total of 1.6 FTE based on their enrolled hours. Both the WCSC and
the student's resident district are limited to claiming a maximum of 1.0
FTE.

d.Slot: A slot is a measure of participation and consists of 540 hours of
enrollment over a period of 180 days.

3. Procedures

a. An annual program budget shall be developed by the WCSC Director and
submitted to the Administrative Council for approval. When approved, the
budget shall be transmitted to the Board of Directors of the Meridian
School District for action. A program budget account and format shall be
maintained for auditing, accounting and reporting purposes.

b. The WCSC budget shall be developed and staffed based on minimum
projected enrollment figures and for fluidity of program changes.

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c. The Administrative Council targets a goal of ten percent (10%) of the
current expenditures to address potential general fund needs and maintain
an acceptable and adequate minimum fund balance for WCSC Operations.

d. Meridian School District shall report enrollment and claim state
apportionment based on the state allocation for each student enrolled in the
WCSC in a 540-hour instructional program. When WCSC also serves a
student in academic courses not qualifying for career and technical
education funding, the Academy shall ensure that the student's combined
FTE reported for state funding does not exceed 1.6 FTE

e. In the case where the approved budget revenue is short, WCSC's ending
fund balance will be used to meet the budget shortfall.

f. If the ending fund balance falls below zero, the shortfall will be shared
among all Member Districts according to their percentage of student size
and participation in the WCSC unless the Administrative Council
determines otherwise.

g. The Meridian School District shall claim any other federal, state, local or
private grants or allotments available to the WCSC.

h. The Meridian School District shall control, monitor and audit all financial
transactions of the WCSC by following procedures of the State of
Washington Accounting Manual for School Districts and report monthly to
the Administrative Council on the financial status of the WCSC. When
possible, the Meridian School District shall identify any additional costs
and present the matter to the Administrative Council no later than March
31, prior to preparation of the budgets by the Member Districts.

—_-

. The Meridian School District shall be paid not less than five percent (5%)
of the apportionment dollars expected by the WCSC for its services as
Fiscal Management Agency. This indirect cost will be reimbursed to the
Meridian School District through the apportionment process.

. Transportation costs for transporting students to and from the WCSC in

er

district buses shall be borne by the district of student residence.
k. Special education costs and services related to a student's enrollment to the

WCSC are the responsibility of the student's school district.

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4. Employment

a. The Meridian School District will employ the Director of the WCSC in
accordance with Meridian School District’s policies and procedures and as
authorized by the budget approved by the Administrative Council.

b. Hiring agencies for WCSC are responsible for paying salaries and mandatory
costs of employment.

c. Criminal record checks, in accordance with Chapter RCW 28A.400 300 section
of Hiring and Discharge will be performed for all adults acting as an employee
on behalf of WCSC who have regularly unsupervised access to students, will be

performed prior to their access to supervising students.

5. Special Education Funding
Consortium districts will contribute a portion of funding to support a special
education support coordinator for WCSC (See Attachment A)

6. Student Records
In accordance with the CDC, FERPA allows schools to disclose information from a
student’s education record, without parental consent, to the following parties or
under the following conditions:
@ School officials with legitimate educational interest
e Other schools to which a student is transferring
Schools and districts will share student information and records in service of the
student with WCSC. WCSC will ensure all records are stored in accordance with
district policy.
7. Shared Transportation
At times it is a benefit between consortium members to permit transportation of
students from other consortium districts on behalf of student participation of
WCSC. Consortium members will work collaboratively to access the availability of
shared transportation.
8. Provisions Not Covered
Any situations not covered in the foregoing provisions shall be resolved by

decisions of the Administrative Council.

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VI. Program Scope, Eligibility and Retention
A. Program

The program or course offerings of the WCSC shall be recommended by the WCSC
Director with approval by the Administrative Council. Areas in which new courses may be
offered will be first examined through a feasibility study.

The WCSC facilities may be made available for purposes other than secondary career and
technical education only after the demands of secondary career and technical education are

met and when the other uses do not interfere with WCSC operations.

B. Promotional Access
Consortium districts agree to promote and support WCSC programming and enrollment,
including and not limited to providing contact information, promotion of open houses,

hosting information sessions and summer school opportunities.

C. Approval
The program and course offerings of the WCSC shall be determined by the Administrative
Council. The WCSC' s career and technical education program shall consist of career and
technical courses approved by the state of Washington.
D. Services
Pursuant to WAC 392-600-020 (10), Member Districts shall be responsible for all ancillary
services for students who reside in their district, including but not limited to transportation,
special education, and other non-core skill center needs of the students.
E. Eligibility
Any student enrolled in a high school of any Member District, is eligible to attend the Skills
Center, subject to the following:
1. General admission requirements as established by the Administrative Council,
2. Requirements set by the Board of Directors of the district of student residence, and,
3. Availability of space
F. Retention
Continued enrollment of students in the WCSC shall be governed by policies established by
the Administrative Council.

VII. Resolution of Conflict
A majority vote of the Administrative Council shall govern in all matters. In the event a

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majority vote cannot be reached by the Council on an issue requiring resolution, the matter shall
be referred to a mutually acceptable third-party mediator for final resolution. If the matter

cannot be resolved there, it will be referred to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

VIII. Withdrawal
It is hereby agreed that any Member District may withdraw at any time after the initial ten-year
period provided it shall be done on an orderly basis and pursuant to the following:
A. Inthe event that a Member District desires to withdraw from the program, such Member
District desiring withdrawal shall give notice in writing to WCSC and all Member
Districts no later than October 1 of the fiscal year preceding withdrawal, said
withdrawal to be effective on September I of the next succeeding fiscal year.
B. Land, improvements and equipment purchased for the WCSC shall be the property of
and remain with the WCSC.

IX. Dissolution Provisions
The cooperative operation of the facility under this Agreement can be dissolved only under the
following procedures.

A. Procedures for the dissolution of the operation of the school plant facilities under an
inter-district cooperative plan shall not be instituted prior to the expiration of ten years
after the date of State Board of Education approval of the financial plan for the
construction of such facilities; provided, however, that a request for dissolution prior to
the expiration of ten years may be approved when in the judgment of the State Board of

Education there is sufficient cause.

B. Any plan for dissolution in paragraph A. above shall be submitted to the State Board of

Education for review and approval prior to proceeding with dissolution action.

X. Admission of New District
Whenever a new district wishes to become a member of the WCSC or to buy slots by way of
payment of a share of the capital investment, it shall submit to the Administrative Council a
formal proposal based on approved guidelines and procedures established by the Administrative

Council.

The WCSC may receive gifts, cash, equipment, or services from any source whatsoever,

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contingent upon acceptance by the Administrative Council and, where applicable, approval of

the Board of Directors of the Meridian School District.

XII. Amendment
This Agreement may be amended by agreement of all Member Districts party hereto.

XIII. Joint Resolutions

Resolutions by the Member Districts have been duly consummated, and by this reference and

attachment are made a part of this Agreement.

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ATTACHMENT A

SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR ACCOUNT
CONTRIBUTIONS BY CONSORTIUM DISTRICTS

Consortium districts will contribute a portion of funding to support a special education support
coordinator for WCSC. This coordinator's duties will be:

e@ Primarily responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of
support services for SPED students enrolled at WCSC

e@ Screen SPED student applications and IEPs to assure appropriate placements into WCSC
programs and to communicate with and meet with IEP teams prior to enrollment

e Communicate and provide direction and coaching, for WCSC teachers regarding the SPED
students in their classes and the specific support needs of each student.

@ Provide leadership and provide direct support to teachers to modify instructional lessons to meet
learning goals and accommodations required for each SPED student and to adapt the lessons to
meet the developmental needs of each student

@ Monitor student progress on a periodic basis and provide immediate interventions and support
when students do not meet progress expectations. This includes weekly behavior checks for
students who have behavior concerns indicated on their IEP as well as attendance, assignment
completion and grades

e Communicate regularly with IEP support teachers in home districts to provide progress reports
and to coordinate for specific district-provided support or assistance individual students need to
meet learning goals

Each consortium district will contribute funds to support this position based on an equitable percentage
of 14.285% until a rounded proportion of their 3-year average enrollments can be established from
2026-27 through 2028-29 (and moving forward) as indicated in the table below. The initial value of the
position will be $154,000.

District Percentage 3 Year Avg. Conuibution

Bellingham 14.285%
Blaine 14.285%
Lynden 14.285% TBD $22,000

Meridian 14.285%
Nooksack Valle 14.285%
Mount Baker 14.285%

Total 100% $154,000



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RESOLUTION APPROVAL BY WCSC ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL

Superintendent, Bellingham School District

Superintendent, Blaine School District

Superintendent, Ferndale School District

Superintendent, Lynden School District

Superintendent, Meridian School District

Superintendent, Mount Baker School District

Superintendent, Nooksack Valley School District

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