The meeting began with a discussion on the PBIS framework. Updates revealed that the elementary schools achieved an impressive 82% fidelity measure last year, while the middle school faced challenges due to disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic but has since made substantial progress. The high school is in the early stages of PBIS implementation, currently reassessing its strategies based on staff and student feedback. The importance of achieving a fidelity measure of 80% or better was highlighted, with participants noting that current fidelity scores are in the 70s for some schools. Data analysis showed that dips in performance could often be attributed to staff self-evaluations and the variability of student behaviors.

Concerns were raised about the visibility of year-over-year data changes, emphasizing the need for clearer communication regarding growth percentages to better appreciate progress. The discussion also touched on the complexities of analyzing behavior data longitudinally, noting that different student cohorts bring unique challenges each year. The impact of changing teaching staff and varying intervention strategies was acknowledged, complicating direct comparisons across grade levels. A participant noted, “It’s different but no it’s not,” underlining the adaptability of students during transitions from elementary to middle school and then to high school.

The board then turned its attention to school security, specifically focusing on the middle school’s lack of a second lock in the vestibule. A locksmith was hired to install additional locks to enhance security. The gym floor at the middle school also posed complications due to the discovery of water pipes and conduit under the floor, which prevented the original installation plan for volleyball posts from being executed. The gym floor project required reordering inserts for surface-level installation to avoid drilling into the floor.

Further updates included the completion and state inspection of the JCS elevator, following extensive modifications to comply with new laws regarding hydraulic fluids. The installation of new key access systems for JCS and LGN was also discussed, with quotes being gathered for this work. The middle school cafeteria roof was reported to need repairs due to deterioration, with anticipation of funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The status of the middle school fire panel was a topic of concern, with the panel functioning normally after extensive work to address outdated equipment issues. However, there were hesitations about the financial implications of a complete overhaul, with suggestions to phase the upgrade over three years.

Budget allocation discussions were a portion of the meeting, particularly regarding the reinstatement of various teaching positions. There was a proposal to reinstate elementary specialist positions at a total cost of $715,111, which received unanimous agreement from the board. The appointment of a music teacher at the Norton Middle School, prorated from January 2nd to June 30th, was also agreed upon, along with similar prorated costs for art teachers. However, hesitation was expressed regarding the reinstatement of foreign language positions due to budget constraints.

The conversation included the necessity of prioritizing certain roles, such as reading and math interventionists, without specifying their exact placements to allow for flexibility depending on student needs. A member expressed frustration over the lengthy process of rebuilding staff after significant cuts earlier in the year, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and creativity in reinstating important positions. The sentiment that rebuilding would take time was echoed, with a call to move forward positively and involve the community in shaping the district’s future.

Financial considerations were pivotal, with mentions of a $1.3 million turn back figure and the complexities surrounding foreign language education. The board recognized the importance of aligning decisions with budgetary constraints while striving to restore critical positions affecting student support. A proposed new budget figure of $482,938.86 was agreed upon, reflecting necessary adjustments based on previous agreements and changes.