The meeting began with an in-depth examination of student enrollment figures, a topic that has implications for the district’s funding and resource allocation. The official count for the Department of Education as of October 1st was 2,424 students, showing a decrease of 58 from the previous year. This decline was largely attributed to reduced kindergarten enrollments at two local schools.

Further analysis of enrollment data revealed minor shifts across various grades, with a notable increase in first-grade enrollment by nine students, while seventh-grade enrollment saw a decrease of seven students. The board also noted that 29 to 30 students had transferred to other high schools, with some returning to Norton after trying other institutions. These dynamics, including the movement of students to schools such as Bristol Aggie, which has enhanced its facilities, are critical for understanding the district’s changing demographic landscape.

The focus then shifted to the district’s special education needs, with a total of 566 students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) reported. This number represents approximately 22% of the student population, exceeding the state average of 18%. The board discussed the implications of this discrepancy, emphasizing the need for improved general education services to alleviate some of the demand on special education resources. The fluid nature of Response to Intervention (RTI) services was also addressed, highlighting the challenges of tracking these interventions month-to-month.

An update on the contract with Inter Reading for educational resources was provided, with plans for a consultant visit. The consultant will conduct classroom walkthroughs and analyze findings in the context of optimizing small group instruction for students lagging in reading skills. The board expressed interest in reviewing data trends over the past five years to better understand the pandemic’s impact on special education programs.

Attention then turned to the proposal for establishing a capital subcommittee, aimed at refining internal processes and managing longstanding issues. A motion was made to nominate a new member, Justine, to join the current capital representative, Audrey. The subcommittee is intended to function internally, with no need for external representation, to streamline operations and address specific challenges.

The board also considered sending a delegate to the MAS annual business meeting. Historical participation had been deemed unproductive, with past delegates reporting limited actionable outcomes from these gatherings. The board recognized the potential networking benefits but remained skeptical about the meetings’ efficacy in addressing the needs of smaller districts like Norton. Despite this, a proposal was put forward to nominate a member, Nick Sler, as a potential delegate, though the decision was tabled for further reflection.