The meeting featured the election of new board officers, with Jesse Keith elected as vice chairperson and Sheila appointed as secretary. Additionally, the board decided to retain the current chair for representation concerning Union 31, the regional school district. Keith was also chosen to fill one of Kingston’s voting seats on Union 31, while another member was identified for a second seat. These appointments are important for ensuring that Kingston’s interests are effectively represented in regional education discussions.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the end-of-year data related to school improvement plans, with a particular focus on early literacy and reading comprehension. Board members discussed results from the STAR assessment, which showed a modest increase in comprehension and vocabulary scores from 54% at the beginning of the year to 60% at the end. First-grade students performed exceptionally well, achieving an 82% score. The discussions emphasized the need for a consistent reading program across grade levels, which is anticipated to be implemented in the upcoming academic year.

The introduction of the new math program, HMH into math, was also discussed. The program aims to provide a consistent and effective educational approach across all grades. Board members expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts of the educational leadership team and their potential to drive progress in student achievement.

In addition to academic discussions, the meeting addressed community engagement initiatives introduced by the school. Plans for a career day were proposed. Moreover, there was mention of a successful art show and plans to create an outdoor classroom. This space would be open to the community during the summer, allowing families to gather and harvest vegetables, creating a farmers market atmosphere.

The board also discussed equity, access, and inclusion initiatives, emphasizing the importance of facilitating access to educational materials and ensuring students have entry points to learning environments. A sensory-friendly initiative for community events was shared. Additionally, the multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) was explained as a framework for addressing academic and behavioral concerns, with plans for ongoing professional development for staff to enhance educational interventions.

Dr. Rubble provided insights on areas for improvement at KES, based on a survey that highlighted concerns such as communication, discipline, lunch management, safety, and facilities. Efforts are underway to enhance safety protocols, including the implementation of the Raptor system for visitor management and improvements to arrival and dismissal processes. Communication efforts will be expanded through a monthly newsletter highlighting classroom activities and encouraging family involvement.

Equity and inclusion remain priorities, with a restructuring of scheduling aimed at improving instructional time and enhancing collaboration among educators. Emphasis was placed on professional development related to tier one instruction and data analysis, with a focus on revamping the PBS system to ensure high expectations for students.

The meeting also included updates on the regionalization study, which is still in the data-gathering stage. Financial updates were provided, with both Clinton and Halifax having approved the Silver Lake budget. Kingston’s town meeting is scheduled for the upcoming weekend to finalize support for the school budgets.

A new K through 5 ELA program, McGraw-Hill Wonders, was selected, alongside OG Plus for phonics instruction. The decision was made collectively by the curriculum council with significant teacher input. Professional development for teachers is planned to ensure smooth implementation by the next academic year, with resources needing to be utilized before the June 30 deadline.