A major highlight of the meeting was the transition in the business manager role. Brenda, the previous business manager, had accepted a new position with the state, prompting the board to establish a shared agreement with Minnewaska Area Schools. Through this collaboration, Drew Osenowski will take over the duties, splitting his time between the two districts. Drew expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing a flexible schedule that leverages online systems to meet the demands of both districts. The board swiftly moved to delegate check-signing authority to Drew.

Concerns over student enrollment trends took center stage, as it was reported that the district’s current enrollment was 26 students below the previous year. This sparked a discussion on the potential long-term impact on the district, especially considering the historical fluctuations in student numbers. While kindergarten enrollment showed a significant increase, the overall decline in student numbers was troubling. Efforts to gather data on student departures were underway, with secretaries reaching out to families to understand the reasons behind these shifts, be it relocation or a transition to online schooling.

In the realm of student performance, the board delved into reading and math achievement levels, focusing on sixth and eighth grades. While some grades showed progress in reading scores, overall scores in other areas experienced a decline. Notably, eighth-grade proficiency saw a slight uptick, with 40 out of 52 students improving their raw scores. Acknowledging the varied performance across grades, the discussion pointed to innovative practices being trialed in the Appleton building, aimed at achieving a 4% increase in performance metrics. A representative emphasized the importance of contextual understanding when interpreting data, given variations in socioeconomic backgrounds and multilingual populations.

A important topic was the lack of a clear vision within the math department, prompting discussions on developing a cohesive strategy to address curricular gaps. The board highlighted the necessity of aligning instructional practices with state standards, and the ongoing work with the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) was underscored as a method to identify and close these gaps. The district’s strategic plan, implemented to enhance academic performance, was also discussed, focusing on structured professional development opportunities for teachers.

Another point of discussion revolved around the “flood the classroom” model—a new approach to teaching reading. This model, which shifts from traditional segmented teaching to a holistic approach, was met with initial challenges and skepticism among educators. A request was made to compare student proficiency data with their grades, particularly in seventh-grade math, where only 19% were reported as proficient. This led to a debate on the correlation between proficiency and actual grades, highlighting the need for aligning assessments with teaching standards.

The board also addressed the district’s updated strategic goals, previously referred to as the world’s best workforce. These goals now encompass comprehensive achievement and civic readiness. Efforts to close racial and economic achievement gaps were noted, with a positive trend reported in bridging educational disparities. The board was encouraged by the progress in Career and Technical Education (CTE) participation, with 70% of graduating seniors engaging in at least one CTE course.

In other business, the board approved a levy for 2025, payable in 2026, and discussed student activity fundraising and booster club events. Concerns were raised about the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program’s advisor situation, and the board addressed the ongoing delay in receiving MCA results for science, which will impact the timing of results for stakeholders.

Additionally, a proposal to share snow removal costs with St. Michael’s Church was considered, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good community relations, particularly during school events. The meeting concluded with a light-hearted exchange regarding board member appreciation.