Cheney School Board Regular Meeting July 16 2025
The Cheney School Board of Directors met July 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Cheney High School library. All information shared here is available publicly on the Cheney School Board website.
Craig Road Elementary Update
Garco/Integrus shared details regarding the progressive design-build of the new elementary school to be located at the corner of Craig Road and W 1st Ave in Airway Heights.
Progressive design-build is a project delivery method that combines design and construction services under a single contract, with early and continuous involvement of the design-build team.
The current preferred building plan will be 63,126 square feet, which would include 3 classrooms per grade, a high school sized gym, and moveable walls between the gym, commons, and music room to create a performance space.
The design allows for the classroom areas to be closed off so the gym, commons, and music room will be available for community use.
The building is also designed for effective supervision and safety. Two staff will be able to monitor all hallways, one positioned at the front near the commons and the other near the mechanical rooms (labeled 13 above).
The western side of the site is too rocky to be developed and creates a natural barrier between the building and Craig Road, keeping students away from the busy street. The playground and fields are located on the east side of the building to block the area's strong westerly winds. There is a designated bus loop and parent drop off loop to maximize efficiency and safety. Should enrollment continue to rise, there is room available to add additional classrooms.
WASA Management Review
At the request of the district, WASA (Washington Association of School Administrators) performed an independent evaluative study focusing on district administrative staffing levels and resource allocation.
The study found that Cheney's administrative overhead of 12.05% fell below the Spokane County average (12.66%) and the statewide average (12.31%). Compared to 13 similar-sized districts, Cheney's average was the 3rd lowest.
The Board of Directors percentage is greater than the county average by 0.16% (0.58% vs. 0.42%). Legal fees in 2023-24 were “approximately $200,000,” double the historic average of “less than $100,000.” The increase was attributed to legal fees due to employee arbitration.
Cheney's labor costs as a percentage of total expenditures 80.9% which is inline with industry standards and below both county (81.4%) and state (82.5%) averages. Evaluators noted that districts whose labor costs approach 85% are at risk for financial distress.
When examining the district's human resources and business spending on a per student basis, Cheney is at $314.64, or 9.8% below average the county average of $348.79. Compared to 13 similarly sized districts, Cheney was 10.9% less than the group average of $352.95.
The opening of the Craig Road elementary school will increase the district's operating costs $1.5-$2 million annually. Enrollment is not expected to dramatically increase as current students will be shifted to the new elementary school to reduce overcrowding in the existing elementaries. The district will need to dip into its fund balance to cover the costs. However, Financial Director Jamie Reed shared that she had some ideas on how the district could re-build the fund balance.
The district was found to have "highly functioning resource allocation models." The reviewer did recommend hiring a total of 3 TOSAs (teachers on special assignments) to assist with the teaching and learning department. Two TOSAs have all ready been hired earlier this year. It was also recommended that the another position should be added to human resources department.
Communications Report
Communications Director Jenna Larson shared her data and analysis of the district's social media presence.
From July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 the district had 17 posts with at least 2.5k reach, with 7 posts reaching 3k or higher. Of those 17 posts, 13 were posts with photos and/or video. Overall content interactions had increased by 28.3%.
Director Larson shared that she had been conducting phone interviews with a random sampling of families to better understand how the district communication practices are impacting them.
Overall, families indicated that ParentSquare is the preferred method for non-emergent communications and the monthly newsletter is most helpful for important dates and reminders.
Some respondents shared they were overwhelmed with the number of messages as well as frustrated with changing applications.
Director Larson said she would be using the feedback to guide district communications in the upcoming school year. She acknowledged that the changing applications were frustrating, but these new applications wouldn't change again in the foreseeable future.
Financial Report
Director of Finance Jamie Reed shared current and historical fund balance data with the board. The dip in June reflects the end of the fiscal year as vendor accounts are settled.
Director Reed shared the parcels of land owned by the district. The board indicated that they would like to see a review of these properties to determine their current and potential potential.
Director Reed also shared the current enrollment versus building capacity data. She explained that the elementary data is skewed by Salnave Elementary's enrollment, the only elementary that is not over capacity.
The bond threshold is the percentage the facilities and planning committee determined would be necessary to ask the community to support a bond to build new schools.
Finally, Director Reed shared reminders regarding the migration to Qmlativ with access to the database starting July 28th. The district's website will be updated to reflect the change, and Director Reed recommended that those who had been using the Skyward app will need to delete and download the new Qmlativ app.
Director Reed shared that Qmlativ is essentially "Skyward 2.0." While it will serve many of the same functions, it is much more robust on the technical side.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Ferney updated the board on his work towards district goals.
Goal 1. Visionary Leadership - Exemplary School District
Dr. Ferney has begun sending out a digital "Superintendent Newsletter" to all staff to boost internal communication.
Goal 2. Instructional Leadership - Student Learning & Growth
Dr. Ferney participated in a leadership council retreat, continued his work with educational leadership consultant Jake Rodgers, and met the district leadership team.
Goal 3. Effective Management - Community & Facility Growth
Dr. Ferney met representatives from the U.S. Air Force, Spokane County, the district's realtor to discuss potential land purchases for a seconddary school north of I-90. There are specific rules regarding where a school can be in relation to an air force base, and this conversation provided insight on the real estate possibilities in Airway Heights.
Dr. Ferney met with stakeholders regarding the future elementary school attendance boundaries that will need to be re-drawn once the Craig Road elementary opens for the 27-28 school year. The goal is that the re-districting process is as transparant as possible, incorporates community input, and finished in a timely manner.
Goal 4. Inclusive Practice - Community and Facility Growth
Dr. Ferney held his weekly check-in with Turner & Townsend Heery, the project management company overseeing bond projects.
Dr. Ferney visited bond projects in process: Salnave bus loop, Windsor bus loop, Windsor construction (chiller, old to new), CHS stadium and topsoil, and Sunset old to new.
Dr. Ferney met with Cory Plager with D.A. Davidson, the district's bond broker.
He was part of the Craig Road executive committee meeting.
He also attended the Bond Advisory Team monthly meeting.
Goal 5. Ethical Leadership - Exemplary School District
Dr. Ferney worked with Communications Director Jenna Larson to discuss improvements to the district's communications throught ParentSquare, social media, and newsletter.
Dr. Ferney met with Chief Richmond of the Airway Heights Police Department. The district currently employs 3 YES (Youth Engagement Specialists) Officers through the AHPD.
He also met with the Airway Heights Kiwanis to update them on bond projects.
Goal 6. Socio-Political Leadership - Exemplary School District
Dr. Ferney was part of the planning for the board's work session from WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) regarding board operating principles and attended the session held 7/17/25.
Old Business
The board approved the second reading and consideration of the first installment of revisions in the 5000 Policy Series.
Policy update summary sheet 5000's- Second read 07-16-25.docx.pdf
Policy 5202 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety....pdf
Policy 5240 - Evaluation of Staff.pdf
Policy 5251 - Conflicts of Interest.pdf
New Business
The proposed 2025/2026 board meeting schedule was shared: 2025-2026 Board Meeting Schedule Draft.pdf
The board considered a request to surplus 5 buses as part of the bus replacement cycle. All school buses owned by the district must pass state inspections, and these buses were becoming cost prohibitive.
The board considered a request from Nutrition services Director LJ Klinkenberg for a $0.10 increase in non-subsidized meals. All students are eligible for one breakfast and lunch per day at no cost through the Community Eligibility Program (CEP). The increase would only affect those who choose to purchase an extra meal.
The board considered the renewals of the district's dairy, prime vendor and produce, and disposable bid contracts.
Executive Session
The board held an executive session for the purpose of discussing and developing superintendent goals for the 2025-2026 school year.