Purpose(s)/Goal:

Bellingham Public Schools recognizes the importance of effective instruction in an inclusive environment. The goal of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Standing Committee is to serve as an evidence-based organizational approach for our district and schools, as we strive to create equitable, consistent and flexible systems. This committee will use data to recommend next steps for system-wide approaches to great teaching with strong support. The MTSS Standing Committee will encapsulate the work previously done by the Joint Committee on Student Conduct and the Inclusionary Instructional Strategies Committee, both of which will sunset with the start of this new standing committee.

Basis for Establishment:

  • To create a systematic, data-driven approach to supporting all students.
  • To prepare for state-mandated changes to the special education evaluation process that will require our schools to be consistent in the approach to core instruction.
  • To investigate, gather and disseminate instructional strategies, interventions, and associated helpful practices in support of professional learning in our school district.
  • To support the key strategy of Great Teaching with Strong Support.

Decision-Making Process:

The committee decisions shall be made via a consensus model, informed by the ongoing work of the school district. A work team structure will be utilized, with representatives from the standing committee working along with others (included on a topical/as-needed basis) to plan and deliver professional learning focused on strong core instruction. The committee will meet on a consistent basis (monthly 鈥 see dates below) beginning in the fall of 2024; additional meetings may be added/scheduled based on consensus of group discussion. Any recommendations for changes to district policy will be advisory in nature.

Plan of Work:

The goals of the MTSS Standing Committee include:

  • Establish a vision for how to implement a strong, evidence-based multi-tiered system of support for all students in Bellingham Public Schools.
  • Use the collective expertise of the committee to develop a curated list of resources that demonstrate best practices.
  • Investigate, review, and recommend professional learning experiences that can be accessed by district employees in support of growing our work in inclusive instructional strategies.
  • Focus on growing inclusive strategies and increasing the scope of inclusion over time, beginning with the early grades.

The committee will meet monthly, 4:00-5:30 pm at the district office, on the following days:

Members:

The district commits to annual review and recruitment of membership conditioned on the work underway. At this time, there is no membership of community partners or parents.

Members include:

  • Mike Copland, Deputy Superintendent (co-chair)
  • Arionda Feeney, Assistant Superintendent (co-chair)
  • Craig Baldwin, Principal, Cordata Elementary School
  • Bethany Barrett, Assistant Principal, Options High School
  • Laura Burke, Mental Health Specialist
  • Anna Burns, Special Education Teacher, Shuksan Middle School
  • Erin Connolly, Special Education Teacher, Fairhaven Middle School
  • Nicole Cook, Assistant Principal, Wade King Elementary School
  • Kacey Emerson, Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Analisa Ficklin, Director of Teaching & Learning, Special Education
  • Melanie Flink, Teacher, Happy Valley Elementary School
  • Rachel Frye, Instructional Coach, Carl Cozier and Lowell Elementary Schools
  • Jodi Haggen, Special Education Teacher, Silver Beach Elementary School
  • Anna Harrison, Counselor, Birchwood Elementary
  • Molly Hayes, Teacher, Bellingham High School
  • Luke Hostetler, Teacher, Sunnyland Elementary School
  • Breann Hulford, Assistant Principal, Whatcom Middle School
  • Alex Johnson, Dean of Students, Carl Cozier Elementary School
  • Heidi Johnson, Speech Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher
  • Stephanie Korn, Principal, Lowell Elementary School
  • Ryan Leckie, Intervention Specialist
  • Jeremy Louzao, Assistant Principal, Squalicum High School
  • Yana Mansfield, Instructional Coach, Teacher on Special Assignment
  • Clare Martin, Teacher, Birchwood Elementary School
  • Matt Neisinger, School Nurse
  • Kaylee Nelson, Teacher, Geneva Elementary School
  • Jennifer Newbauer, Counselor, Kulshan Middle School
  • Pam Pottle, Principal, Northern Heights Elementary School
  • Shala Poulsen, Speech Language Pathologist, Wade King Elementary School
  • Andrea Quigley, Teacher on Special Assignment
  • Lisa Regier, School Psychologist, Birchwood Elementary School
  • Stacia Reid, School Psychologist, Alderwood Elementary School
  • Kari Sachs, Intervention Specialist
  • Rebecca Sauter, School Support Team Lead
  • Sam Slider, School Psychologist, Kulshan Middle School
  • Dana Smith, Assistant Director, Communications
  • Lara Stark, Literacy Specialist, Parkview and Lowell Elementary Schools
  • Dionte Thomas, Campus Monitor, Squalicum High School
  • Alexa Tucker, Teacher, Shuksan Middle School
  • Jessica Wallace, Teacher on Special Assignment
  • Brooke Wertz, Teacher, Bellingham Family Partnership Program
  • Sarah Zeller, Special Education Teacher, Whatcom Middle School

Responsibilities:

To study, develop and make recommendations to the superintendent around system-wide implementation of MTSS and associated professional development.

Budget Implications:

Costs associated with provision of substitutes for teacher and paraeducator representatives, if meetings occur during the school day.