01:26:19Following the SRO discussion, the committee shifted focus to student recognition, highlighting a student named Olivia SA whose artwork was selected for display in Congress in Washington, D.C. Excitement was also generated by updates on the school’s fall schedule trial, which had garnered positive feedback from both students and staff. A new platform called Flex, enabling teachers to create activities for students during later blocks, was introduced to enhance academic support. Furthermore, the school announced a $47,000 grant to develop a biomedical science program, offering professional development and training for teachers.

01:43:10Budgetary discussions continued with a proposal for a structured summer strength and conditioning program for student athletes. This initiative aimed to align with MIAA regulations and provide an organized training opportunity, supervised by a trainer and sustained through participation fees. Clarifications were made that this program would complement existing team conditioning efforts.

01:33:34The committee also deliberated over the student handbook changes for the 2025-2026 school year, with proposed updates to GPA computation, cell phone policy, and student attendance regulations at events based on disciplinary actions. The committee discussed making it mandatory for students to store cell phones, emphasizing national trends that show improved performance with restricted phone use. The discussion also touched on the re-establishment of designated parking lots for seniors and juniors, using a lottery system to allocate spaces.

31:59Further discussions included an analysis of assessment schedules and their implications. The committee reviewed past practices where assessments conducted in May were deemed problematic. The timing was shifted to March to better gauge student performance, but this change was recognized as premature, prompting a return to May assessments for the upcoming year. Concerns were raised about a decline in writing scores, identifying writing as a key improvement area. Action steps included collaborating with principals and Dr. Clifford on a plan for enhancing writing instruction. Professional development sessions were planned, and the introduction of a writing benchmark was highlighted as a new strategy.

01:50:18The meeting also addressed ongoing issues with the in-house payroll system, implemented by Silver Lake. Frustrations were expressed regarding the functionality of the software provided by Tyler Technologies, with specific reference to repeated account deductions complicating financial tracking. Despite attempts to resolve these issues, new problems emerged. The absence of comprehensive documentation and procedure manuals compounded challenges for new staff. There was a call for expert assistance from Tyler Technologies to navigate these ongoing issues, especially as the software transition coincided with the shift to in-house payroll in January 2024.

02:02:06Financial matters continued with updates on special education costs, noting a current surplus. The committee discussed the need for a streamlined financial reporting system to aid auditing and improve transparency regarding incoming funds. A corrective action plan was mentioned, with the committee facing ongoing audit findings necessitating further action. A potential increase in state funding related to regional transportation was highlighted, which could provide an additional $355,000 for Silver Lake if approved by the Senate and conference committee.

02:08:08Lastly, the meeting addressed the establishment of a circuit breaker revolving account to manage special education reimbursement funds. This would allow carryover of funds year-to-year, providing better financial oversight and compliance with state regulations. The committee agreed on the necessity of this account to enhance financial management and service delivery for special education programs.