0:05Central to the meeting was the presentation on professional learning opportunities for teachers, led by a team including Dr. Hope Ron, Melissa Olsen, and Amy Berlin. They provided updates on their efforts to personalize learning experiences for teachers, aligning them with the personalized learning approach expected for students. This initiative is designed to improve literacy engagement from early childhood through the twelfth grade.

Melissa Olsen shared details about the facilitator program, which has seen 57 teachers step up as facilitators across various grade levels and content areas. These facilitators meet monthly to prepare for professional development sessions at their respective schools. The goal is to create a collaborative environment where facilitators can share insights and experiences, ultimately benefiting their colleagues and their teaching practices.

Amy Berlin outlined the four primary roles of teacher facilitators, focusing on engaging in workshops, developing professional learning skills, embodying district leadership norms, and implementing professional learning practices to enhance student engagement. She emphasized the shift from large group professional development to smaller, more focused discussions led by teachers.

Several teachers shared their positive experiences with the initiative. Dianna Feno, a second-grade teacher, highlighted the importance of accommodating diverse languages in training sessions, thereby giving a voice to teachers who might not traditionally assume leadership roles. Christina Hrom, a complementary teacher, praised the collaborative nature of the learning environment, which fosters vertical alignment across grade levels and enhances literacy instruction.

Angela Googi, a seventh-grade math teacher, reflected on her role as a lead learner, noting that student engagement should go beyond mere compliance to active investment in learning tasks. She appreciated the cross-content discussions that provided valuable perspectives on effective teaching practices.

17:29Another teacher discussed their experience of using student surveys to tailor lesson plans, sharing a specific instance where a student’s suggestion to include “paper dodgeball” in a lesson heightened class engagement.

The board members expressed appreciation for the teachers’ dedication and insights, emphasizing the value of hearing directly from educators about their experiences.

33:04The meeting also addressed financial matters, with a budget presentation outlining key figures from December. The presentation highlighted changes in the nutrition fund and increased compensation due to negotiated payments and contracts. Capital expenditures were ahead of schedule due to an LED project. Discrepancies in food service expenditures were noted, with expectations of alignment in the coming months.

The superintendent’s report highlighted various positive events and initiatives across the district, such as Early Childhood programs hosting an “I Love to Read” event and kindergarteners at Wood Crest Spanish Immersion participating in creative literacy activities. The report also celebrated the achievements of students in the Westwood knowledge bowl and regional honor band festival, as well as the success of the one-act play and FCCLA students qualifying for state-level competition.

Board members also discussed legislative developments concerning school funding, emphasizing the importance of closely monitoring the situation. While the district is in a favorable budget position compared to neighboring districts, there remains a pressing need for continued state investment to maintain and enhance educational programming.

48:01Finally, the board addressed the district’s operating levy, which is the lowest among all districts in the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD). This situation necessitates ongoing evaluation of the levy’s impact. Updates on the school calendar were provided, along with announcements of community events such as the upcoming Panther Party organized by the Panther Foundation.

Student representatives shared updates on winter sports achievements, including the girls’ hockey team ranked third in the state and the success of the Alpine and Nordic ski teams. Spring sports registration is now open, and recent signing day events were celebrated.