The meeting began with the presentation of the 2025 fiscal year audit results by Riley Kudson from Smith Schaefer, the district’s auditing firm. The audit was described as smooth and collaborative, resulting in a “clean unmodified opinion” on the district’s financials. The audit showed increased revenue and expenditures, with overall revenue reaching $68.8 million, a rise attributed to increased property tax and state aid. Expenditures saw a $1.6 million increase, particularly in special education and regular instruction due to salaries and benefits. Despite the rise in expenditures, the audit revealed a slight deficit in the general fund. The board discussed the implications of this deficit and moved to accept the audit report.

In the realm of educational enrichment, the board addressed proposals for student trips to Europe. A trip organized for students from the French and Spanish clubs is set to take place at the end of the school year. Fourteen students, accompanied by four chaperones, will travel to Paris and Barcelona, visiting notable sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Another trip to Italy, planned for spring break, will take students to cities including Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. The trips are designed to provide cultural and educational experiences, with students fundraising to support their participation.

The board also focused on the district’s approach to snow days. A member suggested maintaining the current strategy of utilizing e-learning days instead of traditional snow days, citing the limited flexibility in high school schedules due to various activities. The conversation highlighted the need for clearer guidelines and documentation for e-learning.

Further discussions included updates from the calendar committee, which is working to optimize parent-teacher conference formats and student contact days. Feedback from early childhood educators emphasized the need for more time with parents, leading to plans to revert to a previous, more extended format for conferences. The committee aims to ensure around 180 days of student contact time, balancing instructional time with professional development for teachers.

In other matters, the board reviewed the mathematics curriculum, noting the need for updates and the formation of a committee to evaluate potential changes. The goal is to pilot new curriculums in the upcoming school year to enhance student learning outcomes.

The board also engaged in policy reviews, addressing updates to policies on student medication, drug-free schools, and the donation of surplus books. A new policy concerning field trips was introduced, outlining procedural requirements and emphasizing transparency for trips involving overnight stays or crossing state lines.

Initiatives such as the rebranding of the Parent Teacher Organization and the integration of data-driven strategies in literacy instruction were discussed as part of efforts to foster a positive educational environment.