16:12A parent took the floor during the public comment section to express concerns about the absence of a remedial program at Washington Elementary School. The parent shared their personal experience, describing how their child’s teacher felt overwhelmed by the lack of support for students who needed additional help. The parent expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, noting that as a taxpayer, they found it unreasonable that funding and support were not more evenly distributed among schools based on need rather than Title One status.

The parent further criticized the lack of transparency in the free and reduced lunch application process. They suggested that many parents might not fill out the application due to misconceptions about school lunches or a lack of understanding regarding the potential benefits. The parent argued that if more families were informed about how completing the application could secure additional funding and resources for their children, more students would qualify for free or reduced lunch, potentially enabling Washington School to receive Title One funding. The parent expressed frustration over perceived disparities between schools, questioning whether the board had adequately communicated that all elementary schools follow the same curriculum to prevent feelings of inequality.

In response, a board member acknowledged the concerns but explained that funding allocation is dictated by state regulations. The board member clarified that schools receiving Title One funding benefit from additional services because of the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. They noted a concerted effort in recent years to encourage parents to complete the lunch applications, which resulted in over one hundred more students qualifying for free or reduced lunch in the current year. However, they emphasized that the current funding structure means some schools inevitably receive more resources than others based on their qualifying status.

The parent continued to press the issue, questioning the absence of remedial programs at Washington School while other schools have interventionists. The board member explained that intervention services are determined by Title One funds each building receives. They further clarified that transferring students to different schools solely based on the availability of these programs is not feasible due to factors like class size and placement decisions. The board member reiterated that all teachers are trained to address diverse academic needs in their classrooms and that the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is in place to ensure interventions are provided based on student needs.

The board member responded by suggesting that the parent could reach out to their building principal for further discussion of specific concerns, while also emphasizing that the public comment period is not intended for back-and-forth debates on individual student matters.

0:13In other business, the student representative, Drew Banro, delivered a report highlighting recent activities at the high school. He detailed events such as a festive fund day organized by the Student Government Association and teachers, where students enjoyed hot chocolate and a holiday sendoff. Banro also discussed the annual Instant Decision Day on January 17th, during which seniors met with representatives from in-state colleges to complete applications and receive admissions decisions. Additionally, he noted the district-wide participation in No Name Calling Week, focusing on anti-bullying initiatives, and shared details about the upcoming high school musical, “Les Misérables,” scheduled for February 13th to 15th.

The state monitor, Mr. Demov, presented his report, confirming a review of the district’s financial reports for December 2024 and supporting a resolution affirming sufficient funds to meet financial obligations for the rest of the school year. He also discussed the preparation of the district’s preliminary budget for 2025-2026, which must be adopted by March 19th.

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Scardino provided updates on the budget development process, noting that the district operates on a July to June fiscal cycle. He reported on school safety data available from September to December and announced plans to honor student athletes at the March meeting, including recognizing the volleyball team for their state section title and a basketball player who achieved a scoring milestone. Dr. Scardino also mentioned that the district calendar would be ready for approval at the February meeting.