A major focus of the meeting was the curriculum committee’s recommendations for the upcoming academic year. In an effort to better align high school courses with college applications, the committee proposed renaming “accelerated” and “academic” courses to “honors” and “College Prep,” respectively. This change aims to standardize course titles with those typically seen in college admissions processes. The committee also highlighted the introduction of new dual credit opportunities with the University of Delaware, including a “sustainable product design” class and an “entrepreneurship” course, both offering the chance for students to earn college credits.

Additionally, the curriculum committee addressed the needs of multilingual learners, proposing an ESL high-intensity course and an academic support course to assist students struggling with English language arts. These changes are designed to provide targeted support and improve educational outcomes for students entering the school system at the secondary level. The proposed curriculum adjustments were presented for board approval, with further discussions planned for the next meeting.

Financial matters also took center stage, particularly the completion of a nearly two-year fire alarm system project at Nettingham, costing approximately $1 million. This project marked a milestone for the district. The business administrator announced a $400,000 grant from the School Development Authority for a storefront project at Evergreen, focusing on window replacements and leak repairs. The finance committee discussed the use of SDA grants for these and other projects, emphasizing the need for alternative funding mechanisms amid inflationary pressures and healthcare costs.

The board also reviewed the district’s financial status through the presentation of the 2023-2024 annual audit. It was reported that fund balances had decreased by about $925,000 due to capital maintenance expenditures. However, a positive note was the retirement of bonds from a prior referendum in July 2023, which eliminated the need for a tax levy for debt service. The board acknowledged the challenges posed by rising costs and the decreasing public funding sources.

He sought clarity on whether the stated costs included operating expenses and advocated for clearer voting options to prevent contradictory selections. Morris emphasized the importance of transparency and effective public engagement in the decision-making process, urging the board to provide detailed breakdowns of costs and voting procedures.

Morris also addressed school security, questioning the functionality of the newly introduced ID lanyard system. He suggested using the system for scanning students into facilities, including bathrooms, to monitor and deter vandalism. Moreover, he proposed involving students in redesigning bathrooms to make them more vandal-resistant, potentially collaborating with local contractors.

Another infrastructure concern raised by Morris involved the planned gazebo at Brunner School. He questioned the allocation of funds for a gazebo study.

In response to these concerns, the board committed to documenting public queries and incorporating them into a frequently asked questions section to ensure broader access to information. It was noted that some security measures, such as a badging system for entering and exiting school facilities, were already being implemented.

The meeting also included updates on legislative developments impacting the district. A bill introduced by Vin Gopal was mentioned. The Freedom to Read Act, requiring policies for book selection and challenge resolution, was also discussed.

The board concluded the meeting by acknowledging the achievements of educators and students. Several educators were congratulated for receiving the Governor’s Educator of the Year awards, while updates on the district’s esports teams highlighted student accomplishments. The Overwatch 2 team reached the Mid-Atlantic region finals.