The most notable revelation during the meeting concerned the district’s protocols for handling potential visits from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Superintendent reassured attendees that the district would not grant ICE agents access to schools without a valid judicial order.

The meeting then shifted to a celebration of academic and staff excellence with multiple awards presented to educators and support staff from various schools within the district. Recognition was given to the Baro Middle School debate team for their recent accomplishments at a Model United Nations event. Students Sersa Downey, Wyatt Rea, and Miles Imrey were applauded for their exemplary performances. The board also honored educators and support staff from schools across the district. These accolades were punctuated by applause.

Another focus of the meeting was the upcoming referendum scheduled for March 11th. Board members discussed the effectiveness of the district’s communications strategy, particularly the need to enhance outreach efforts. Concerns were voiced about the lack of social media presence and the perceived value of the public relations firm hired for over $80,000. It was suggested that the firm had been active in engaging with school faculty and generating informational materials like postcards and flyers. However, there remained a gap in reaching community members who are not connected to the school district or who do not frequently use online platforms. Suggestions were made to develop talking points for board members to address misinformation circulating on social media, driving the public towards the official website for accurate information.

Board members stressed the importance of transparency and effective communication in the context of the referendum, emphasizing the need for a clear strategy to garner support. They acknowledged that not every informed voter would necessarily support the referendum, but underscored the importance of ensuring that all voters are well-informed about its financial implications and specifics. Efforts were being made to reach out to senior citizens and use local businesses as means of disseminating information, although these initiatives were still in their early stages.

This discussion highlighted the complexities involved in maintaining compliance with legal requirements while seeking to engage with the community effectively.

In addition to these main topics, the meeting covered various administrative reports and updates. The board discussed a report on bullying investigations, which revealed two confirmed incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. The Curriculum Committee shared updates on changes to the school calendar and the language instruction education program, which had been approved for the next three years. Additionally, the Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee explored changes to custodial sub rates, compliance with Grace’s law regarding hearing aids for children, and ongoing facility issues.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on board ethics training, focusing on the application of ethical guidelines in light of changes over the past 25 years. The session aimed to reinforce the standards of conduct expected from board members and ensure adherence to ethical practices. As the meeting transitioned to public participation, there was no engagement from attendees, and the board entered an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.