The meeting’s financial discussions revealed that the school choice revolving fund was projected to have a balance of approximately $2.66 million, with funds earmarked for initiatives such as the one-to-one computer program. The committee reviewed the utilization of a grant that was increased to $50,000 and deliberated on the allocation of the remaining $548,000 by the September 30, 2024 deadline. Student Activity account balances were reported, with the high school holding $233,000, the McCarthy Middle School at almost $42,000, and the Parker Middle School at almost $50,000. The financial segment also touched upon the third-quarter financial report, discussing variances in budget categories and potential actions to address these.

The committee also reviewed student attendance data, which showed that overall attendance met state requirements, but highlighted increased absenteeism among economically disadvantaged students, high-needs students, students with disabilities, and English language learners. Attendance rates varied across individual schools, with a notable increase in chronic absenteeism among specific subgroups, heightened by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of addressing this issue and improving attendance rates was emphasized, with the intention to continue the discussion in future meetings.

The Parker Middle School project was another focal point, with the committee discussing the completion of the initial compliance certification and the next steps, such as setting up the school building committee and presenting the feasibility study. The hiring process for the owner project manager and designer was deliberated, and the committee examined their role in these procedures. A timeline was proposed, with the feasibility study potentially concluding by July 2026.

In the public input section, a member of the public, Katie Sullivan, spoke, and a concern was raised about paraprofessionals being relied upon to fill in for absent teachers, potentially detracting from their primary responsibilities. The meeting also covered updates from the high school student representatives, including school events and achievements, but these did not feature as prominently in the discussions as the more topics of teacher retention and the reading program.

The session concluded with routine administrative matters, such as the approval of the revised meeting schedule for the next year, designed to avoid clashes with election days and improve efficiency. The personnel report for the month of March showed several hires and resignations, addressing the challenge of filling three psychologist positions and the need for a long-term substitute for a Spanish teacher at McCarthy Middle School.