Jasmine Fast - Meridian School District Board, District 3

07/31/2026

FAQs with Jasmine: "How much is this going to cost the tax payers?"

It will not cost the taxpayers anything. Meridian has secured nearly all the funding needed to build the first phase: four new classrooms and a district office to expand current trades education at its North Bellingham campus — open to all juniors and seniors in Whatcom County — and the Whatcom Early Learning Center, a building to provide child care options and a place for clinicals for high school and college students, operating jointly with the skills center.

Meridian secured $2.1 million from the state in the 2024 legislative session for the expansion of skills center offerings, and an additional $850,000 from the federal government through Rep. Rick Larsen.

The district also received $3 million from the state for a proposed 14,000-square-foot Whatcom Early Learning Center, in addition to $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded by the Whatcom County executive’s office and the health department, and $4 million from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray,

Read more: https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2024/mar/27/whatcom-skills-center-gets-needed-funding-for-phase-one-of-project/

07/30/2026

FAQs with Jasmine: "What's the deal with the Meridian skills center?"
--
Meridian School District is working to establish a skills center in Whatcom County. The Northwest Career & Technical Academy in Skagit County is the closest skill center in our region. While some students currently travel to NCTA, there is a void here in Whatcom County. Currently, Meridian School District is a satellite campus for Northwest Career & Technical Academy providing fire science and welding programs.

In addition to the skills center, we are working with Whatcom County to establish a Whatcom Early Learning Center in Meridian. This early learning center could provide child care for 80 to 120 children from birth to five with extended hours to better support working families.

Want to know more about this community asset?
Email: [email protected]

06/18/2026

I cried over a CORK! 😭🍾 What these photos don't show is the champagne cork that former 14-year Board Member, Marty Gray, saved and passed around the room from the day the Board signed Dr. Everett as Meridian Superintendent. You genuinely felt the honor, love, and deep appreciation in the room. I wasn't prepared for the tears I shed witnessing these heartfelt connections!!

Shortly after I took my Oath of Office, Superintendent Dr. James Everett, who fearlessly led our District for 8 years, shared some big changes and announced he would be shifting gears. We had our final, bittersweet meeting with Dr. Everett last night. Several former MSD Board members came to share their appreciation and well-wishes. I only had a few short months to work with him in a School Board capacity, but Dr. Everett has been a long time partner with the Cordata Neighborhood Association. He ensured our neighbors' input was heard and kept us up to date on the development of the Whatcom County Skills Center and Whatcom Early Learning Center in Meridian. I am sad to see James leave, but so happy for his next adventure!

Dr. Kurt Harvill has been with Meridian since 2011 and will be stepping in as interim superintendent. I am thankful we have his institutional knowledge leading us through and I look forward to the work and conversations to come! As always, I am deeply honored to be accepted into the Meridian community and to be trusted to represent our community.

06/12/2026

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a program that provides a one-time $120 benefit per year to help families buy groceries for their school-aged children when meals aren't available at school during the summer months. Nearly 550,000 Washington children received SUN Bucks over the summer of 2025.

Who is eligible for SUN Bucks?
Most children will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks if at any point from July 1 of the previous year through the end of the current summer period they were either:

🥚Approved for free or reduced-price meals in Meridian School District or;
🥚Age 8-18 and a member of a household that receives benefits from TANF or SNAP.

Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/dshs.wa.gov/sun-bucks-2026

06/11/2026

Would you support a cell phone ban from first bell to the last? 🛎️

A statewide school cell phone ban is a top priority for State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. Superintendent Reykdal outlined his legislative proposal in a recent Seattle Times article.
The "away for the day" policy requires school districts to restrict access to student mobile devices during the school day. The proposal includes exemptions for students who need their devices for documented health reasons and as part of their education plans.
Most school districts in Washington have a policy regarding cell phone use during instructional time. Nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia have policies on cell phone use in schools, including 5 with state-level bans on cell phone use from bell-to-bell.
More information:

The governor and schools superintendent said they want the restrictions in place by next September, for the start of the 2027-28 school year.

06/11/2026

This photo doesn't show the generations of impact these incredible humans have had in our community. Thank you for your many years of service to help shape our youth. Happy retirement Darla, Steve, Don and Roberto!

Yesterday we had the honor of celebrating Darla Hostutler, Steve Lawrence, Don McMains and Roberto Santana as they retire this year. Each of them has made a lasting impact on our schools. Please join us in thanking them for their service and wishing them all the best in this next chapter!

05/22/2026

🎬 THIS IS YOUR ORIGIN STORY.

Meridian School District has a vacancy on the Board of Directors for Director District 4 — and the deadline to apply is TODAY at 5 PM.

No cape required. Just:
✅ U.S. citizen
✅ Registered voter
✅ District 4 resident

Why does it matter? Because right now, Meridian is working to bring Whatcom County its first-ever Skills Center — giving high school juniors and seniors access to college credit, industry credentials, and real career training. And we're building the Whatcom Early Learning Center to provide childcare for up to 120 children from birth to preschool, with extended hours for working families.

This board helps make all of that happen.

So if you live in District 4 and you've ever thought "someone should do something about that" — hi. You're someone.

Apply today 👇
{link in comments}

05/22/2026

🚨 URGENT: Meridian School District needs a Board Director and the deadline is TODAY at 5 PM. 🚨

We're going to be real with you: we've extended this deadline twice because we haven't found the right person yet. But we know they're out there. Maybe it's you?

Here's what's at stake in Meridian School District right now:

🏫 A future Washington State Skills Center. Bringing career and technical education, college credit, and industry-recognized credentials to Whatcom County high schoolers for the first time.

👶 The Whatcom Early Learning Center. A 14,000 sq ft facility designed to serve 80–120 children from birth to preschool, with extended hours for working families. Because over 5,000 childcare slots in Whatcom County are currently unfulfilled.

📚 An Early Childhood Education program launching in fall 2027 through the Northwest Career & Technical Academy. Giving high school juniors and seniors a graduation pathway into one of the most needed careers in the state.

The school board is the body that helps guide, oversee, and advocate for all of this. And District 4 has an empty seat.

To apply, you need to be:
→ A U.S. citizen
→ A registered voter
→ A resident of Director District 4 at the time of appointment

That's it. The rest you can learn on the job, because that's what board members do.

Apply here: https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/news/2026/05/07/seeking-applicants-for-board-of-directors-vacancy-district-4/

Deadline: TODAY, May 22 at 5:00 PM.

Please share! The right person might be one share away. 🙏

Meridian School District encourages qualified community members to apply to fill a vacancy on the Meridian School Board of Directors representing Director District 4. The selected individual will be appointed to serve through Dec. 31, 2027. To be eligible, applicants must be a registered voter, a Un...

04/28/2026

EDIT: Deadline extended to May 8th!

The Meridian School District 505 is looking to fill a vacancy on the Meridian School Board for District 4. The selected board member will serve through December 2027. Applications are due by 5 PM on Friday, May 1.

Candidate interviews will take place during the May 13th board meeting at 5 PM.

If you are a resident in District 4, you may apply for the School Board here:
https://www.meridian.wednet.edu/news/2026/04/17/seeking-applicants-for-board-of-directors-vacancy-district-4/

04/28/2026

Meridian School District encourages qualified community members to apply to fill a vacancy on the Meridian School Board of Directors representing Director District 4. The selected individual will be appointed to serve through Dec. 31, 2027. To be eligible, applicants must be a registered voter, a Un...