The board announced plans to revamp the elementary school lunch program in 2026. The new setup will involve students having lunch in multi-purpose rooms rather than in classrooms, aligning with practices for grades 6 through 12. This change will be supported by the introduction of new steam tables. The initiative will commence in School 5 before expanding to Schools 4 and 3 throughout the year. The board is collaborating with Pomptonian, the district’s food service provider, to ensure a smooth transition.

Another important topic was the preschool expansion initiative. Supported by a grant awarded last year, the project aims to provide education to more three- and four-year-olds. The expansion will begin at School 3 in the coming month, building on the current setup at School 5. The board plans to conduct building walkthroughs in January to assess space and further accommodate this growing program.

The meeting also highlighted noteworthy community initiatives. A pajama drive organized by Craig Nichols collected over 300 pairs of pajamas for the Head Start program, complemented by 300 book donations from Scholastic. Additionally, a toy drive led by two staff members aimed to support students in need.

In other developments, the board recognized the achievements of various individuals and programs. Ally Goodman was acknowledged for her work with the Cliffside Connections newsletter, which supports the special education department. The initiative has also introduced a coffee cart and apparel sales to fund student activities.

The board announced upcoming family literacy nights and adult ESL classes to engage parents and support student learning. The implementation of the High Impact Tutoring (HIT) program will continue to offer tailored educational support to students in grades 2 through 6, focusing on skill enhancement.