A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the sanitary sewer bid award. The project, budgeted for three cycles, faced challenges as bids came in higher than the allocated $250,000. The architect provided an explanation for the increased costs, emphasizing the necessity of connecting to the municipal sewer system instead of replacing the outdated septic system. The board discussed the inadequacy of the current septic system, particularly during large gatherings, which could lead to unpleasant conditions. Consequently, the board highlighted the request to withdraw $400,000 from capital reserves to fund the project, pending county approval.

Superintendent Neely Hackett presented her report, welcoming everyone back for the new school year under the theme “Building Pathways to Success.” She announced notable curriculum updates, including revisions to the English language arts and mathematics guides for grades K through 8 to comply with new standards. Although the state allowed a delay in implementing the math standards until 2025, the district chose to proceed this year. Additionally, a new financial literacy course for middle school students was introduced, along with curriculum mapping for middle school special programs set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year.

The establishment of a district code of conduct committee was also announced. This committee aims to revise disciplinary policies to ensure consistency across grade levels. The board discussed the implementation of a personalized instruction period for second-grade students, designed to address individual learning needs through small group instruction.

Hiring updates were shared, indicating significant efforts to fill vacancies, including a new middle school principal and various instructional staff, with a total of 19 teachers needed for the upcoming year. The board also mentioned the progress of the Early Childhood Development Center construction, providing regular updates and pictures on the district’s website.

Dr. Alria and Miss Ross presented an overview of the special education department’s progress and initiatives. They highlighted the creation of a special education handbook for the child study team and district employees, soon to be accessible on the district’s website. Efforts to improve family engagement through collaboration with the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (CPAC) were emphasized, particularly regarding transitional processes for students moving from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten and from fifth to sixth grade.

The presentation included information about the Spire training program, a research-based reading intervention for resource room teachers, which has shown promising results in student reading growth. The team also highlighted the establishment of focus groups among teachers to foster collaboration and problem-solving regarding the Spire program. An inclusion coach has been introduced to support teachers, and training sessions have been held for in-class support staff.

The special education annual report presented data from the fiscal year 2022, noting that the district met targets for placing students in the least restrictive environments, with over 80% in general education settings. However, areas needing improvement were identified, particularly regarding preschool programs. The report acknowledged consent issues with families that had contributed to the district not meeting compliance targets in certain areas.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Julie Lions on the ACCESS for ELLs assessment, measuring the English language proficiency of students in grades K-8 across four domains: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Lions shared that the percentage of students scoring at level four increased from 16% in the 2021-2022 school year to 32% in the 2022-2023 school year. However, she noted that a significant percentage of students, particularly those new to the country, scored at levels one and two, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and intervention strategies.

During the public comment segment, Eric Simin raised questions regarding the sewer main and septic systems, expressing concerns about capacity issues related to restroom facilities and the allocation of capital reserves. Another audience member sought clarification on the hiring of a new middle school principal and voiced concerns about the 45-day enrollment policy for transferring students.

Additional public comments addressed the need for schools to update cell phone policies and provide clear guidance on the use of artificial intelligence. The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude toward Miss Chris Calabria, the principal transitioning to a district coordinator role. Miss Calabria was recognized for her dedication and leadership, fostering an empathetic and compassionate school culture.