Board Eyes LED Retrofit Contract, Staff Cuts

At its Monday, June 9 meeting, the Bainbridge Island School District board considered a $767,676.00 contract for district-wide LED retrofits. Dane Fenwick, Director of Facilities, Operations, and Capital Projects, recommended awarding Bid Package 2 to D&S Electrical Contractors Inc., the lowest bidder, whose bids were opened on June 8, 2026. The project includes upgrades to the Administration, Maintenance, Transportation, Bainbridge High School, Commodore Options School, and Halilts Elementary School buildings.

The board also reviewed Resolution 05-25-26, authorizing a Reduction in Force for classified staff for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Chief Financial Officer Kim Knight submitted the resolution to Superintendent Amii Thompson, stating, "This difficult but necessary measure is required to ensure long-term financial stability while maintaining our core commitment to student needs". The proposed reduction includes a minor cut in paraprofessional hours (due to eliminating an unutilized crossing guard position) and the elimination of six Technology Department positions, with one left unfilled through attrition.

Three collective bargaining agreements were also considered. Superintendent Amii Thompson presented the Bainbridge Island Education Association (BIEA) and Bainbridge Island Principals' Association agreements for approval, while Chief Financial Officer Kim Knight presented the Bainbridge Extracurricular Association (BECA) agreement. The BIEA agreement spans two years, with Year 1 compensation at Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) + 1.5% and Year 2 at IPD + 1.0%. The Principals' Association agreement is a three-year term, with IPD + 0.5% in Year 1, and IPD + 1.0% in Years 2 and 3. The BECA agreement, also three years, includes a consistent 1.5% increase to base salaries each year and reconfigured training stipends for off-season strength and conditioning. Kim Knight noted this agreement "represents a major advancement in ensuring safe, year-round training opportunities for our student-athletes under the guidance of qualified staff".

Superintendent Amii Thompson recommended approval of the Revised 2026-2027 Calendar, replacing 90-minute early-release Mondays with three half-day and five full release days, all scheduled on Mondays. Full release dates are September 28, October 26, January 25, March 22, and May 17. Half-day release dates include November 30, April 26, and June 7.

On the consent agenda, the board approved several donations: $1,053.12 to Sakai Intermediate School from the Sakai PTO for field trip support and classroom supplies; a Nikon Eclipse E400 professional microscope and support equipment valued at $15,000.00 to Bainbridge High School from Kathleen Walsh; $1,600.00 to Ordway Elementary School for library books from the Ordway PTO; and $2,653.27 to Blakely Elementary School for recess equipment, field trip support, and library books from the Blakely PTO (via go.boarddocs.com)