The meeting commenced with the nomination and election of Colin Cox as the new Chair of the School Board. Cox was the sole nominee for the position, and the subsequent vote confirmed his appointment with unanimous consent. The board then moved to the election of the Vice Chair, nominating Virginia Mancini. Her nomination was supported by a board member who highlighted her extensive experience, including her tenure on various committees such as the Financial Advisory Committee and the District Equity Advisory Council. Mancini’s appointment, too, received unanimous approval. Mancini expressed enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing the value of having classroom experience on the board, particularly given the challenges anticipated in the coming spring.

Following the election of the Vice Chair, Celia Anderson was nominated and unanimously appointed as Clerk. Acknowledged for her prior effectiveness as Treasurer, Anderson expressed her eagerness to deepen her understanding of board operations. With these appointments solidified, the board confirmed its leadership team, comprising Chair Cox, Vice Chair Mancini, and Clerk Anderson.

The board also deliberated on the roles of its members in various advisory councils and committees. These roles are vital for effective communication between the board and community advisory groups, addressing the need for streamlined information sharing and responsiveness to community needs.

A notable topic that emerged was the Bright Works initiative, a program designed to support districts in meeting educational progress benchmarks, with a particular focus on the READ Act. The Vice Chair, who has experience in middle school education, showed keen interest in understanding the program’s funding and educational outcomes, particularly for middle school educators. The conversation underscored the need for clarity regarding the program’s funding and operational strategies, as well as the board’s desire to be involved in improving educational outcomes within the district.

Transitioning to school board compensation, the board discussed and approved the proposed compensation for the year 2025. The approved stipends were set at $6,648 for board members, $6,950 for vice chairs and clerks, and $5,531 for directors who are not officers. This decision aligned with the increases seen in other education contracts and aimed to ensure that board positions remain accessible to those with limited resources. The board maintained its policy of tying compensation increases to legislative adjustments for education funding. There was recognition of the extensive work and commitment required from board members, which includes attending meetings and serving on various commissions.

In an effort to enhance community engagement, the board proposed conducting listening sessions for the 2024-2025 school year. These sessions are scheduled for February 10 and April 22, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The intent is to provide a structured platform for community feedback and engagement, with the April session strategically placed before a board meeting to facilitate connection with budget considerations or other pertinent topics. The board expressed a commitment to creating an inclusive atmosphere for community members to participate in these sessions.