Sophia Ketcher’s coach highlighted her dedication, coachability, and her role in setting a precedent for female wrestling within the school. The board president humorously mentioned the need to budget for a new robe to honor Ketcher’s achievements.

Following this, the board addressed several business matters. An update was provided on the school district’s budget approval, including facility improvements and the upcoming event to honor Coach Kell by naming the gym after him. The board also discussed a town meeting to seek approval for a new facility for One School Global.

During the public comment section, concerns were raised by a representative of the high school music parents regarding the final cost of an out-of-state field trip necessary for the marching band. The board reassured that any adjustments to the cost would be addressed before the business meeting.

In the workshop section, the board mulled over school calendar adjustments, specifically choosing Tuesday, May 28th, as a potential snow day following Memorial Day. There was also a focus on the 2025-2026 school calendar, particularly the winter break and professional development days. The discussion touched on staffing updates, with an emphasis on the importance of transparency in posting salary ranges for job positions.

Student performance reports were scrutinized, highlighting gender discrepancies and chronic absenteeism. Positive aspects were noted, such as fourth graders meeting or exceeding expectations in English Language Arts (ELA) and proficiency growth among students with disabilities. Strategies to address challenges included teacher training and efforts to improve science scores.

The meeting delved into the previous year’s test scores, expressing anticipation for growth. North Boulevard School’s new principal’s focus on improvement and growth was noted, as well as Hillview School’s high passing rates. Strategies to address absentee rates were discussed, and the integration of support for teachers and students at SJG School was highlighted for its effectiveness in reducing absenteeism.

A discussion of student performance data showed the district’s outperformance of the state average in ELA and math at every grade level. The significant increase in Algebra 1 proficiency was notable. The board expressed the need for consistent grading practices and addressed the implementation of initiatives to improve student attendance and engagement.

The allocation of federal funds was discussed, particularly their use in hosting summer learning academies to address learning gaps caused by the pandemic. With these funds ending, the board is exploring other opportunities for targeted instruction. The curricular writing and approval process was outlined, and the board discussed proposals for the district attorney and auditor RFPs.

Updates on the preparations for the school’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” were given, covering technical aspects such as lighting and sound. The reconditioning of the baseball and softball fields and the maintenance reserve account for the middle school were also discussed. The board planned communication strategies for upcoming changes in school start times, including a move back by 36 minutes for the high school.

In terms of new business, board member announcements covered a range of activities from attending ceremonies to discussing school services. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming budget presentation and board certification training, followed by a motion to enter executive session to discuss student matters.