The meeting began with a notable acknowledgment of Eden Clark and Sebastian Kage, two middle school students who earned accolades in a national writing competition organized by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). This recognition marked a historic event for the program, being the first time two students from the same school won in the same year. The board presented the students with gold-stamped certificates and expressed gratitude to their teachers and families.

Discussions then shifted to a comprehensive analysis of the Spring 2024 performance report, focusing on assessment results from New Milford Public Schools. A particular interest was paid to trends in test participation rates, with a notable dip in eighth grade participation attributed to student refusals.

The board reviewed data showing increases in students meeting or exceeding expectations across several grades, particularly highlighting improvements in grade four, where the percentage rose from 38% to 42%. The need to support students who were close to meeting expectations was discussed, with these students identified as “low-hanging fruit” for academic growth.

Further discussions delved into cohort data and subgroup comparisons, recognizing a third of grade six students as exceeding expectations, while concerns were raised about declining performances in grades six and eight. These declines were contrasted with the district’s overall growth compared to state averages, with specific attention given to the post-pandemic performance adjustments in grade four.

The board also addressed disparities in performance among racial and demographic subgroups. There was a call to ensure equitable educational opportunities, particularly as black and Hispanic students were noted as underperforming compared to their Asian counterparts who excelled. This led to discussions on educational equity and the steps necessary to bridge these gaps.

In personnel matters, the resignation of Jane Schwarz, a music teacher with 29 years of service, was discussed. The board expressed regret at her departure, acknowledging her significant impact on students and noting that former pupils had shown interest in filling her position. The search for a new director of special education was also underway, with interviews scheduled and a recommendation expected by the November meeting.

The meeting also highlighted various extracurricular and athletic achievements. A tribute was paid to the late coach Brian Her for his contributions to the school’s sports programs. The board recognized the sportsmanship summit held at New Milford High School and the mental health awareness initiative introduced through the New York Jets. Athletic achievements included the boys’ soccer team advancing in their tournament and the cross country team winning a league title for the first time in school history.

Additionally, the board discussed important operational updates, such as the completion of roofing jobs and kitchen renovations, which were managed despite being unbudgeted. The transition to a new website received positive feedback, and ongoing efforts were made to modernize the district’s Standard Operating Procedures manual.