16:25A major highlight of the meeting was the confirmation that elementary and secondary students will receive free lunches in the fiscal year 2026. The initiative reflects a broader effort to support students’ nutritional needs and reduce financial burdens on families.

09:33Another focal point was the extensive renovation of the school gym floor. The board detailed the refinishing process, which involves sanding down to the bare wood and repainting the entire floor. It was noted that the bleachers would not need to be moved, although minor adjustments would be made on the east side where replacements are required. The maintenance team reported relief that the areas under the bleachers were undamaged, simplifying the renovation process. This project aims to enhance the school’s facilities.

12:31The board also discussed the strategic importance of a proposed summer retreat for its members. This retreat is intended to facilitate strategic discussions and evaluations, particularly valuable given the addition of new board members. The retreat, planned for late June or July, will focus on reviewing strategic plans and evaluating the superintendent’s performance. The board emphasized the importance of these gatherings in aligning goals and ensuring effective governance.

02:07Staffing matters were another topic, with updates from the personnel committee highlighting the unique situation of fiscal year 2025, which will include 261 working days instead of the standard 260. This anomaly raised questions about contract adjustments, which are under review. Additionally, the hiring process for a middle school Tech Ed teacher was completed, with the board approving a certified contract for a new hire who recently finished student teaching. This position, described as niche, was noted as challenging to fill, making the successful hiring a noteworthy achievement.

Further, the board approved a non-certified contract for another staff member set to begin at the start of the next school year. Discussions also touched on ongoing negotiations for certified staff and administrative assistants for non-certified staff, with the union opting to delay negotiations for a year. A negotiation meeting for bus contractors was scheduled, involving Leech Busing, Center Busing, and Pender Busing.

05:12Community engagement was another area of focus, with the superintendent sharing plans for upcoming community meetings on June 11 in Felton, June 12 in Glyndon, and June 16 in the elementary media center. A tentative agenda for these meetings was discussed, emphasizing the importance of community input. Board members were encouraged to attend, with a request for at least two or three to participate in each meeting. Additionally, a survey for public outreach is planned to be distributed following the June 16 meeting.

The board also addressed administrative evaluations scheduled for the week of June 23, with plans to review goals set by each administrator and complete evaluations by the end of the month.

14:25In financial matters, the board approved the consent agenda, which included bills totaling $81,266.40 for June 2025 and the treasurer’s monthly budget report. A query regarding insurance payments clarified that these are annual costs covering property and liability insurance. The board also approved insurance for property and casualty, along with risk administration services for workers’ compensation, through a broker specializing in educational institutions.