The meeting’s most significant announcement was the appointment of Mr. Brian Rollins as the permanent principal of Katherine D. Malone Elementary School (KDM). Rollins, previously serving as the interim principal, has made a notable impact on the school community, earning him widespread support from parents, students, and community members. In his address to the board, Rollins expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to continue his efforts as a strong role model and collaborator within the school district.

In terms of facilities, the Business Administrator’s report detailed the progress of various important projects. The KDM water project is addressing chemical levels and hardness issues, while summer roof projects are planned for KDM, Copeland Middle School, and Birchwood School. The district is also engaged in a long-range facilities plan, with USA Architects conducting data collection and consultations. Despite some challenges, such as delays in the availability of state budget software, preparations for the 2024-2025 budget are moving forward.

The board’s focus on educational excellence was evident in the Curricular report, which highlighted a successful professional development day for teachers, covering differentiated instruction and technology. The district is also revising curricula to ensure that all materials are updated, approved, and available to teachers before the end of the current school year. The Student Services report, presented by Dr. Molano, emphasized the district’s dedication to meeting state requirements for Handle with Care interventions and the development of a life skills curriculum for all grade levels.

Community service and engagement were also prominent themes. The DBO, DWI, and KDM PTAs reported on their respective community service initiatives, with students participating in projects such as pajama donations, service collection drives, and support for local police officers.

Addressing the board’s structure, Lisa Mezik announced the formation of newly restructured committees, including policy, education, operations, negotiations, and an ad hoc committee for community outreach. The board also discussed the potential for increased accessibility through the proposal of monthly lunchtime meetings and the intention of board members to attend all PTA meetings to share information more broadly within the community.

The finance section of the meeting sparked interest as board members sought to understand the bills approval process better, and questions were raised regarding the handling of student records. Tanya Shields clarified that the policy in question was a revised regulation.

Policy revisions were also a focal point, with Superintendent Richard R. Corbett and board members debating minor changes to policy 8330 and addressing incomplete revisions in policy 24155Z. The board agreed to postpone approval until the revisions were fully ready for public review.

Public comments included announcements from Brian Adams, co-president of the RTEA, regarding upcoming community events aimed at fostering family involvement and support for education. The board also discussed the importance of training sessions for board members, with upcoming dates set for mandatory and voluntary training opportunities.

A debate unfolded over the scheduling of a listening session for policy 5756. The board considered various dates for this session, with the possibility of holding it on a Saturday to accommodate community members.

Lastly, the board addressed the challenge of the district’s increasing population, with plans to engage with local PTAs to understand and respond to the related concerns and implications.