On this page:

• INTRODUCTION
• MEET YOUR SCHOOL BOARD
• SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES
• SCHOOL BOARD PROCEDURES
• SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
• OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN
• WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON
• WORK SESSIONS
• CITIZENS’ COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
• SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES
• SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES ARCHIVE

Other Links:

• High School Facilities Task Force

The board of directors is an elected body of respected community members who are responsible for the direction of the schools. The board is the authority for local school regulations, policy, programs, and procedures within the framework of state law. As board members, they are responsible for translating the educational ideals, values, and goals of the community into concepts of policy. They ensure goals are set to provide long-range planning; the district budget is balanced; legal interests are protected; and that buildings and grounds are maintained. The Superintendent of Schools reports directly to the board of directors and sees that all policies are implemented.

The Board of Directors meet regularly on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Meetings are held in the district board room, 364 S. Park St. Special and study sessions are scheduled as needed. All board meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

	Max Carrera - President (Position #4) Employer/Title: Carrera is a statewide Recruiter for the Washington State Department of Corrections. He began his DOC career as a Human Resource Consultant at the Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla. Prior to his work for the State, he operated a consulting firm specializing in mediation and human resource consulting. He also worked for Walla Walla County as a Juvenile Officer and Deputy Sheriff. Family Information: Carrera is married to Holly and they have four children - Nicolai, Morghan, Alec, and Mailen. Educational Background: He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1985 and attended Walla Walla Community College. Hobbies/interests: Carrera serves on the board of several local organizations. He enjoys reading books on faith and leadership and spending time with his family. District Committees: Safe Schools Career/Technical Education Classified Negotiations Head Start Policy Council Contact: mcarrera@wwps.org • 529-4003
	Anne Golden - Vice President (Position #5) Golden is the most senior board member; she was elected in 1987. This Gonzaga University graduate is a tireless volunteer who has served four times as board president. She has dedicated many years of service to the YWCA, Camp Fire, the American Heart Association, as well as public education. She is a former member of the Foundation Board of Governors for Walla Walla Community College and is a past National Chair and board member of the American Heart Association. In 2003, Golden was elected President of the Washington State School Directors Association and in 2004, was elected Chair of the NSBA (National School Boards Association) 10-state Pacific Region. Golden currently serves as an at-large member from the Pacific Region to the NSBA. Her four grown children are Wa-Hi graduates. District Committees: Curriculum Advisory Committee Instructional Materials Committee Certificated Negotiations Committee Legislative Representative District Calendar (Alternate) WWVEA Liaison Contact: goldenaa@charter.net • 525-3067
	Dan Hess (Position #1) Dan Hess was elected to the school board in 2010, but he also served as a WWPS school board member for two terms from 1985 to 1992. Dan is an attorney in private practice in Walla Walla since 1981, with emphasis on personal injury cases. He is married to Kathie, who is the office manager at the law office. They have three grown children, Jennifer, Peter, and Jamie, all of whom attended Walla Walla Public Schools. Hess attended Berney Elementary, Pioneer Junior High School and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1968. He received an undergraduate degree from Seattle Pacific College; his M.S. from University of Miami; and a law degree from Willamette University. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, boating, and trips in his recreational vehicle. District Committees: Community Facilities Task Force Extracurricular Supervisors Negotiations Administrative Negotiations School-Based Health Center Contact: dan@hesslawoffice.com • 525-4744 • 522-2166
	Cindy Meyer (Position #2) Longtime district volunteer and fourth generation school board member, Cindy Meyer was elected to the school board in 2005. Meyer has a B.A. in Geology from Oregon State University. Her husband, Joe Meyer, is a hospitalist at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. They have two daughters; Beth attends Walla Walla High School, and Mandi, a Wa-Hi graduate, is a senior at Eastern Oregon University majoring in Biochemistry. Meyer was a frequent volunteer in the classroom, PTA president at both the elementary and high school level, was co-president of the Explorer Parent Organization, co-chaired the Citizens for Schools Levy campaigns in 2002 and 2004, and served on numerous district committees before her election to the board. Meyer currently serves on the nominating committee for the Washington State School Directors’ Association and as a board member for the Walla Walla Books for Babes program. District Committees: Explorers Advisory Committee Classified Negotiations Parent Advisory Citizens for School Liaison Contact: cmeyer@wwps.org • 529-0952
	Dr. Jim Lehmann (Position #3) Employer/Title: Online Educational Consultant ~ For many years prior to being an online educator, he was a teacher in College Place School District for 3rd, 4th and 6th grades. He has four grown children. Joanna Lehmann, New York City; Patrick Bowe of the Walla Walla Valley; Megan Bowe, New York City; and Sara Castor of Philadelphia. Lehmann attended Assumption Elementary, Berney Elementary, Pioneer Junior High School and graduated from Walla Walla High School. He lived in Spokane and Portland, Oregon before returning to teach in the Walla Walla area. Dr. Lehmann obtained his Bachelors Degree in Pre-Law from Central Washington University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from City University, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Walden University. He is an active bike rider, road and mountain bikes. He enjoys going to the gym, bird watching, photography, reading, and travelling. District Committees: WIAA Liaison Certificated Negotiations Technology/Telecommunications District Calendar WWVEA Liaison Contact: jlehmann@wwps.org • 509-240-5029

• Bullying Prevention Procedures

Our hope is that you will leave this meeting with a better understanding of your public schools and the school board that you’ve elected to oversee them.

Our meetings are open to the public and nearly all our discussion will be held in the open. The exception would be if it is necessary to discuss personnel, litigation, bargaining agreements, complaints against an officer or staff member, or real estate transactions where disclosure would be damaging. In those cases, we may occasionally go into a closed or “executive” session.

School board members are elected officials, who serve four-year terms of office. In addition to making a number of decisions at school board meetings, we try to keep lines of communications open with our community and represent the needs of the district before state and national representatives.

We serve on the school board because we care about providing quality education in our community. You are probably here tonight because you care, too. We appreciate your interest and comments toward meeting that goal.

Before making a decision on a topic, we will often schedule an informal work session prior to a regularly scheduled business meeting to get input from all interested parties. Your comments are most welcome at work sessions, as we consider all perspectives before making a decision during the regular board meeting.

We welcome your comments and questions during the time set aside in the meeting for public comment. Should you wish to speak, we ask that you provide your name and address, so we can follow up with you if necessary.

Please follow our normal protocol:
• Keep your comments brief and to the point.
• Do not reflect adversely on the political or economic view, ethnic background, character, or motives of any individual.

If a concern cannot be solved by first talking with the teacher, principal, or appropriate district personnel, or if you have a specific complaint about an employee and you have attempted to solve the situation with the person’s supervisor and/or superintendent, the issue may be forwarded to the board for hearing. Please inform the superintendent or board president in writing at least one week prior to a regular meeting requesting to meet with them. The hearing may be conducted in executive session, meaning the public and the media are not in attendance.

You may also present a concern to the board during the time reserved for hearing public comment. If this is the case, we ask that you follow the same protocol already outlined when addressing the school board.

When you address the board during the Citizens Comments section of the meeting, we will listen carefully to your statement. If a response is needed, we will direct it be made in writing in a timely fashion, by phone or in writing, if necessary. Comments made at a board meeting are part of the public record.

Other Comments/Questions
If you prefer, please write any comments and questions with your phone number and submit to the superintendent, who will respond.

• Board Meeting Dates: January - August 2012
• Board Meeting Dates: August - December 2011