The meeting commenced with a celebration of student leaders who contributed to the school’s web program. The recognized students, Jatu Mohammed, Stone Walker, Alexis Johnson, and McKenzie Lockwood, were praised for their leadership and efforts in helping new fifth-grade students acclimate to the school environment. The principal highlighted their role in creating a welcoming atmosphere, noting that moments of laughter and fun were indicators of the program’s success. This recognition underlined the importance of student-led initiatives in fostering a supportive school culture.

Attention then shifted to a report on student assessments and academic progress, presented by Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover. Dr. Ridlehoover provided an overview of the Northstar report, which included various metrics such as academic achievement, progress towards English language proficiency, graduation rates, and attendance. The district currently serves 90 English language learners, with elementary students performing notably higher than their statewide peers. Graduation rates were reported at just over 90%, though fluctuations were noted due to small graduating class sizes.

Attendance rates were another focal point, with consistent attendance defined as attending at least 90% of school days. The district’s rate stands at 74.7%, slightly above the state average. The report highlighted that students opting out of assessments typically had GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Additionally, the district saw significant enrollment in college classes, with 273 students earning over a thousand college credits, translating to substantial financial savings for families.

In terms of technology and safety, Mr. Jeff Kemit presented a detailed report on recent initiatives. A significant project completed over the summer was the installation of a new phone system to replace the obsolete previous system. This included the introduction of the MyCollab application, which ensures communication continuity in emergencies by allowing staff to transfer calls to personal devices while maintaining privacy.

A critical development in safety was the enhancement of the 911 emergency response system. The system, which is currently operational at the building level, aims to provide precise location tracking to 911 dispatchers by Christmas. Upgrades to the district’s camera and alarm systems were also discussed, with substantial investments in network switches to improve functionality, largely funded by federal grants.

The board also addressed the implementation of a hall pass program, allowing students to scan their ID badges to manage their time out of class. This system aims to enhance safety by enabling staff to quickly locate students during emergencies. Cybersecurity was another concern, with the district reporting 513 malware attempts in the first week of school alone. Efforts are underway to secure funding through a cyber security pilot program to bolster defenses.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the summer school program and its financial aspects. The program served 55 students, with a total of 76 credits earned or recovered. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of online platforms like Edmentum for subjects such as mathematics, prompting a shift towards direct instruction to improve student outcomes. The financial report revealed a net loss of approximately $6,000 for the summer program, highlighting the challenges in balancing educational initiatives with budget constraints.

The board also discussed the proposed levy for 2024, payable in 2025. The proposed levy, which is tied to funding for the 2025-26 school year, was recommended to be certified at the maximum amount to ensure access to all available revenue streams. The general fund’s proposed levy saw a decrease due to lower enrollment numbers, amounting to a reduction of approximately $194,000. The discussion clarified that the proposed levy did not involve new levies but rather standard ones previously approved by voters.

In addition to these topics, the meeting included updates on professional development initiatives and revisions to the school board handbook. Dr. Ridlehoover emphasized the importance of responsive leadership and continuous improvement, with feedback from teachers guiding changes to professional development structures. The board handbook was characterized as a “living document,” subject to future revisions to reflect evolving norms and practices.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of contributions and donations from the Rockford Education Foundation and anonymous donors. The board also announced upcoming meetings and work sessions.