The most critical discussion centered around the decline in student enrollment. A board member, whose comment was read aloud due to their absence, highlighted the urgency with stark figures: the percentage of eligible students attending other schools rose from 21% in 2018 to 36% currently. This decline has left the district with only 98 students enrolled out of the 133 anticipated for the 2024-2025 budget. Such a gap could impact state funding and future budgets, making the issue a top priority for the board.

In response, the board proposed and approved a set of goals to address this decline by the fall of 2025. These goals include identifying reasons for the declining enrollment by December 2023, developing a plan to address disenrollment factors by Spring 2024, and enhancing middle school math and science achievement. The board debated the reliability of the current enrollment data, which originated from the Department of Labor but was considered unreliable due to a large range of error. To obtain more precise information, the board agreed to conduct a local survey.

The broader factors influencing enrollment, such as demographic shifts and housing prices, were also discussed. A demographic study, estimated to cost under $5,000, was proposed to gather data on the shifting population and its implications for the school. This study would help the board understand the complexities involved in families’ educational choices and ensure that any resulting action plans are realistic and informed by current realities.

The board also emphasized the ethical implications of reaching out to families who had chosen different schools to understand their decisions. They agreed on the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of the causes of enrollment decline rather than expecting immediate changes in enrollment numbers.

In addition to addressing declining enrollment, the board approved a draft of district goals, focusing on identifying reasons for the decline by December 2024 and developing a plan to address disenrollment factors by Spring 2025. The motion received a second and was approved by the board members. Following this, the board authorized the business administrator to explore demographic studies, which did not require immediate board approval for expenditures but would need it once specific costs were identified.

The discussion then shifted towards outreach efforts to families and stakeholders. One member volunteered to assist in contacting families, but it was suggested to postpone communication until more information was gathered to avoid redundancy. The board discussed the effectiveness of written surveys versus phone interviews, with suggestions that phone calls might yield more candid responses. The necessity for nuanced responses was highlighted to capture the complexities of individual circumstances. The board recognized the importance of understanding underlying issues that lead families to make educational choices.

The meeting also reviewed the HIV self-assessment data, noting improvements over the years in the school’s initiatives. The assessment process, focusing on program implementation and training, showed higher scores in key areas, emphasizing continuous improvement. The board discussed leveraging the positive results of the HIV program to promote Frenchtown School.

An administrator provided updates on the beginning of the school year, including the introduction of a new class called ESP at the middle school, to be detailed further in the next month’s board presentation. The administrator expressed gratitude towards local government officials for their support in getting traffic signs up for the school year, emphasizing community cooperation for student safety. The success of the back-to-school night and a parent workshop focused on social-emotional support mechanisms was also noted.

Recognition was given to students’ achievements in sports, including a cross-country runner who recently won a race. The board also discussed regionalization studies, policy matters, and the approval of employment contracts for non-tenured and tenured teachers.