The President of the School Board highlighted Deerfield School’s achievement of the Blue Ribbon award, a prestigious recognition given by the U.S. Department of Education. The President expressed pride in the collaborative efforts that led to this honor, stating, “It truly takes a village to become who we are.” This accolade was celebrated through a live broadcast on the Deerfield Morning Show, which included evaluations of test results, student growth, and overall progress. The President credited the faculty, staff, students, and broader community for their roles in achieving this award.

The Superintendent’s report provided an overview of the school reopening, noting a successful first week, especially for younger students. The opening day for staff included team-building activities with an “Olympic theme” aimed at fostering community among staff members. The Superintendent praised the successful back-to-school nights at Beachwood and Deerfield, where staff engaged with parents.

A critical point of discussion was the upcoming public budget vote in November. The Superintendent emphasized the financial constraints faced by the district, including the loss of ARP funding and Title One funding, which typically supported essential programs. To address these financial challenges, the Superintendent underscored the importance of community engagement and support for the upcoming vote. Community forums were scheduled to inform and involve the public, with the first forum planned for the following Tuesday at 7 PM and another the subsequent Tuesday at 6 PM. A virtual participation option was also made available.

In addition to these pressing financial issues, the Superintendent’s report included a brief slideshow on state test results, which the board is required to report annually. This presentation highlighted the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility while addressing educational needs. The Superintendent concluded by stressing the importance of sustainability for the district amid limited funding and called for community involvement and informed voting in the upcoming election.

The meeting also covered the ACCESS testing results for English language learners. The ACCESS test assesses English language proficiency across speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with scores ranging from one to six. The results showed that student proficiency levels predominantly fell within the three-range, with some students scoring as low as one and others achieving a six. The highest performance was noted in the listening domain, followed by reading. To support students needing language assistance, the district provides small group instruction and targeted language skills training.

Another update shared during the meeting was the QAC score results. The district scored 79% in instruction and programming, 100% in fiscal management, 95% in governance, 97% in operations, and 98% in personnel.

The board also discussed the budget and finance, specifically introducing a contract with Care Plus for mental health support services, which would replace the previous contract with Tri County Behavioral Health. Positive feedback about Care Plus was shared, emphasizing their readiness to expand services if the public budget vote passes.

In administrative matters, a motion to approve several items was passed unanimously. The business administrative report was minimal, with no substantive updates provided. Personnel and policy items were approved without discussion.

The meeting concluded with announcements of upcoming events, including the Fall Festival on October 5th, featuring a sensory portion, rides, and a pickleball tournament organized by the Rotary Club. The community was also reminded of the cop trot event scheduled for the same date. The floor was opened for public participation, but no comments were made, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on October 5th for the Fall Festival activities.