0:00A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to honoring students for their perseverance and achievements under the Bengal Pride initiative. Dr. Lewis introduced Mrs. Camarada, who announced the recipients of the Upstander Program awards. Among those recognized was Jeremiah Smith, celebrated for his impressive transition to a new school and excelling academically and socially. Aaliyah S. Menco was commended for her creativity and determination, particularly in designing the yearbook cover. Mateline McCormack earned applause for consistently overcoming obstacles with a positive attitude. Bella Bean was acknowledged for her daily commitment to learning and assisting peers, while Lena Copek’s leadership qualities were highlighted for her perseverance in the pre-K program.

Following the student recognitions, the board heard from the student representative and executive student government president, who shared updates on student-led initiatives. One key proposal was the transformation of a secondary courtyard into an agricultural green space, aimed at fostering a connection with nature and providing educational opportunities. The student government plans to secure grants and donations to support this project. The representative also emphasized the importance of the Seal of Biliteracy program, which celebrates students proficient in English and a foreign language, with 31 students recognized this year. Additionally, the representative acknowledged the success of the Lady Bengals basketball team, who reached the state semi-finals, and highlighted the Rumble in the Jungle competition, which promotes inclusivity among students.

17:18The meeting also featured updates from various committees. The Buildings, Grounds, Food Services, and Transportation Committee reported on the success of the food services partnership with Neutr Serve and discussed transportation updates, including staffing changes and the adoption of new routing software. The Education Committee highlighted the adoption of the I-Ready program for Algebra 1 and the successful induction ceremony for the Spanish and French Honor Societies. The Governance Committee focused on policy updates, including the adoption of policy 0131 concerning bylaws and regulations, while the Health, Safety, and Technology Committee provided a security update and detailed recent technology projects.

Superintendent Dr. LS also took the opportunity to recognize the Esports Overwatch team for winning a state championship and celebrated students excelling in public speaking, along with staff members who were named Coaches of the Year.

In terms of financial and administrative matters, the board discussed the upcoming budget, emphasizing the administration’s efforts to balance district needs with fiscal responsibility. The budget aims to avoid cuts while accommodating necessary additions.

During the public session, the board invited comments and suggestions but noted no public participation. The meeting concluded with the approval of multiple motions related to finance and governance. Notably, a planned field trip to Dave and Buster’s was tabled for further discussion in an executive session. The board ensured all voting procedures were followed before adjourning the meeting.