Updated video, transcript of Everett School Board altercation

Jessica Olson on Friday provided us with a higher-quality copy of the video she recorded Tuesday evening during the fracas involving her and two other Everett School Board members.

We think it’s worth a look and makes it easier

to see some details of what happened that were fuzzy in the smaller-sized file we initially had available.

Meanwhile, Lucia Fisher, a reader who describes herself as a home-based transcriptionist, turned her talents toward improving on the transcript we’d prepared. We are grateful that she listened to our call for reader assistance in reporting on this story.

Below is the video, followed by the improved transcript.

Jessica Olson: This is gonna get recorded here. We’re on.

Ed Petersen: This is … This is … This is …

Olson: You are asking us to approve an evaluation report of Dr. Cohn …

Petersen: You are out of order.

Olson: No, I’m not out of order. You’re not the boss in here, Ed. Sorry.

Petersen: You are not going to be recording in here.

Olson: Yeah, I am.

Petersen: This is an executive session.

Olson: Nope. We haven’t said anything illegal.

Petersen stands up, leans across the table and reaches for the recorder with his right hand.

Olson: You’re not going to touch it!

Kristie Dutton: Meeting’s over. Meeting’s over.

Olson: Meeting’s over. You’re doggone right it is.

Dutton: The meeting hasn’t started yet …

Olson: You want to play hardball? Let’s go. Absolutely.

Petersen: This is an executive session. This is an executive session.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Olson: We will discuss the parameters of this evaluation and you’re not going to vote to ramrod this down when a minority opinion doesn’t go in it. That’s wrong. I know you justify everything by ends justifies the means, but this is not going down.

Dutton: This is under executive session …

Olson: We haven’t said anything about him yet. We are talking about the parameters of his evaluation and what goes on this chart. You are not going to not include the minority remarks in here. That’s not going to happen.

Dutton: You were just given the report, so I don’t know how you’ve read it.

Olson: Because I can see that it is all positive stuff and none of the remarks I made are in there. Everybody gets to rate him with a one to four, and the minority vote gets in there. There is no way that I am going to sign off on this.

Petersen: A minority member of the board doesn’t get to tell the rest of the board how to do business.

Olson: You don’t get to tell me that this is how the board reviewed him.

Petersen: Yes, the majority of the board does. We don’t …

Olson: No. Absolutely not.

(People talking over each other.)

Dutton: We are not you. We are a board of directors.

Olson: No. Every other evaluation in every other district the directors get to put a number down on whether they agree with it and they get to rate him. You’re not gonna give him a glowing review when you know that I don’t agree.

Dutton: (Can’t be heard clearly) … unable to perform the duties that we have been (untelligible) to do, which is …

Olson: Yes. Let’s take it to the press. I’m going to tell them what you guys are doing. Let’s do it.

Carol Andrews: (Unclear. Says executive session matters shouldn’t be discussed in public.) This is an executive session. It should not be, being filmed so …

Olson: We shouldn’t be talking about this in executive session. You are absolutely right. We should be talking about the parameters of this in open session. You are absolutely right and that’s why I’m taping it.

Dutton: I refuse to continue with this …

Olson: You are right. Let’s not continue.

Dutton: Again the display of erratic behavior by director Olson …

Olson: The display of the illegal behavior by you four .

Dutton: It’s unfortunate …

Olson: We have not agreed on the parameters of this. There is no way that you are going to get your way on this evaluation without the public knowing what’s happening. You pulled the fast one last time. It’s not happening this time.

Dutton: Again, that mischaracterize …

Olson: And don’t you dare touch my recorder.

Andrews: Is that a threat?

Dutton: Yeah, is that a threat?

Olson: Yeah. He reached for it. I said don’t you dare touch my recorder.

Dutton: No. Is that a threat?

Olson: I’m telling him not to. What’s your definition of a threat?

Dutton: Are you going to inflict personal (unintelligible)

Olson: No. I don’t.

Dutton: … physical harm?

Olson: I said you better not touch my recorder.

Dutton: What are you going to do? Are you going to post something on your Facebook page?

Olson: I’m telling him he’s not going to do it. Are you threatening me?

Dutton: (Unintelligible) slander and mistruth?

Andrews: Since this is being recorded, I think that we all will be entitled to a copy of this recording under the open public, under public records act.

Dutton: Yes. And I’d like a copy by tomorrow morning.

Andrews: Either shut it off or give us all a copy when it’s over.

Olson: I don’t mind giving you a copy.

Andrews: You are not giving us a copy?

Olson: What?

Andrews: You are refusing to give us …

Olson: You don’t want me to, you don’t want me to give you a copy now?

Andrews: You are refusing to give us a copy of the recording you are making right now.

Olson: No. I said I don’t mind giving you a copy.

(People talking over each other.)

Dutton: For the purpose of this executive session, I’m done talking about it.

Olson: Good.

Petersen: OK.

Andrews: Why don’t we establish for the record that we had to end the meeting because Director Olson refused to turn off the recorder.

Olson: And we had to end the meeting because we couldn’t agree on the parameters of the evaluation and how to write it up. It hasn’t been discussed in open session.

Dutton: No. It simply was because you had a recorder.

Olson: This is not executive session material.

Dutton: (Still talking. Unintelligible.)

Olson: No. We have to discuss the parameters. I’m sorry. (Sets down her copy of Petersen’s draft evaluation of Cohn, slides it a few inches away.)

Dutton stands up at the table and reaches for the paper. Camera begins shaking.

Olson: You are gonna …

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett Municipal Building to close for two weeks

The closure is part of the building’s $36 million repair project. City staff will be accessible by phone and email during business hours.

Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events

Washington State University and Washington Sea Grant will hold a training at Willis Tucker Park on June 2.

Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at HopeWorks' child care center Tomorrow’s Hope, a job training program for people interested in child care, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. HopeWorks is one of the organizations reciving funding from the ARPA $4.3 million stipend. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Early learning group presents countywide survey findings

The survey highlighted the largest issues parents and providers are facing amid the county’s child care crisis.

Brian Murril, who started at Liberty Elementary as a kindergartner in 1963, looks for his yearbook photograph during an open house for the public to walk through the school before its closing on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Locals say goodbye to Marysville school after 74 years

Liberty Elementary is one of two schools the Marysville School District is closing later this year to save costs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.