The meeting took a detailed look into the district’s financial planning, emphasizing the budget’s implications for programs and services. The announced sale of the Port Mammoth property for $2.5 million comes as a boon to the district, allowing for the reimplementation of full-time art and music programs in elementary schools, which had been previously reduced.

A major educational highlight was the adoption of the Orton Gillingham approach for K-2 literacy and its morphology program for grades 3-5. The board also approved the “Too Good for Violence” program for sixth graders, an extension of the lead program focused on preventing violence and promoting social skills.

In response to public comments concerning the safety of students, the board discussed the reevaluation of security needs and staffing. This includes the potential reductions of security guards at elementary schools, which has become a issue among parents worried about their children’s safety during high-traffic times. The board plans to seek efficiencies and cost savings to bridge the financial gap in the following year without compromising student safety.

They expressed pride in the cost savings achieved through these changes, indicating a move towards more cost-effective, yet still comprehensive, support for students.

The board’s plans to improve infrastructure and facilities were also on the agenda. The high school track project was discussed, including decisions on track colors and field markings, a change order for fire detectors at High School South, and the potential for in-house work on the link ad project, budgeted at $200,000.

In addition to programmatic and budgetary discussions, the meeting included recognition of student accomplishments, with commendations for Julia March and Patrick Divine for their achievements in cycling and powerlifting, respectively. The board acknowledged the importance of extracurricular activities in students’ lives and the need to set higher goals for scholarship applicants based on the impressive array of colleges where students had been accepted.

The meeting concluded with the superintendent’s report, which included the recommendation of Mr. Matthew Ferry for the principal position at High School North, followed by a discussion and vote. The approval of minutes, professional services appointments, and various consent agendas also took place.