The meeting opened with a discussion on the district and board goals, emphasizing the need for ambitious yet realistic objectives, particularly in light of declining enrollment. One board member highlighted the “existential threat” posed by reduced student numbers, advocating for a stronger focus on academic achievement with measurable targets. Concerns were raised about the current academic performance, noting that 80% of students were not meeting science standards and 57% were falling short in math. There was a consensus that immediate action was necessary to address these issues rather than waiting for the completion of the strategic planning process.

During the discussions, it was proposed to contextualize the goals within the framework of declining enrollments and to prioritize academic performance with an emphasis on measurable objectives. This included enhancing family engagement and curriculum accessibility to support learning outcomes. Some members pointed out the challenges of setting specific numerical targets due to the school’s small student population and the lack of recent state test scores. The feasibility of defining an increase in academic performance was questioned.

The conversation also covered the need for professional development and establishing expectations within the school. Suggestions included focusing on math due to its lower performance relative to other subjects and developing a framework for measuring individual student progress. The importance of broader community engagement was emphasized, with board members encouraged to initiate proactive outreach to parents and guardians to foster better student outcomes.

In addition to academic concerns, the board addressed the significant issue of declining enrollment, which had dropped to 98 students, below the budgeted expectation of 110. This shortfall has financial implications for the school, particularly in terms of state aid, which is based on prior year enrollments. Several participants stressed the importance of understanding the root causes of this decline. It was noted that many families choose alternatives not primarily due to academic concerns but for social opportunities, sports options, or the perception that the school cannot accommodate higher-performing students.

The idea of conducting a demographic study to provide a clearer picture of enrollment trends and future projections was discussed. Engaging a professional consultant to present a report to the board was proposed as a potential goal, with the relevance of such a study extending beyond the school to the entire community. This could involve coordination with the town council and planning board to gather broader community insights.

The board also explored various educational strategies and support systems to enhance social-emotional learning and academic achievement. Initiatives included increasing math instruction and introducing an “Education Support Period” to provide structured academic support. This period aims to shift the perception of “study hall” to a more productive environment, allowing for character education, academic assistance, and independent projects with teacher guidance.

Updates on other educational matters were provided, such as the ongoing search for a World Language teacher, the approval and utilization of a behavior threat assessment manual, and a successful preschool waiver. The importance of continuous professional development and instructional strategies was reiterated, with a focus on enhancing the academic environment despite enrollment challenges.

The meeting also touched on budget management and recent updates to school policies. There was an emphasis on the positive outcomes from various summer programs and the efforts of the custodial team. Updates to the code of conduct were reviewed, particularly concerning behavior expectations and consequences for students. The board discussed the importance of maintaining recess for middle school students and ensuring that students receiving detention do not miss out on this essential break.

In terms of logistics, the board planned to reconvene on September 24th to finalize the goals after further reflection and discussion. This included drafting a plan or proposal ahead of the next meeting to ensure a structured conversation could take place. The dialogue highlighted the complexities of setting academic goals in a nuanced educational landscape while recognizing the various roles stakeholders play in contributing to student success.