The curriculum review for the 2024-2025 academic year was a important topic. Dr. Barbara Gould, the Chief Academic Officer, presented significant curricular advancements, notably the introduction of Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies. In addition to AP African American Studies, a Dance 3 course was introduced, integrating technology with traditional dance instruction. These initiatives reflect the district’s focus on broadening the educational landscape to include varied and inclusive subjects.

She detailed the inclusion of equity statements across revised curriculum documents. The district revised 143 curriculum documents to align with new English language arts standards set for implementation in September 2024, with mathematics updates already underway. These revisions aim to facilitate educators’ access to new material, supported by targeted professional development sessions planned for the coming months.

A major segment of the meeting was dedicated to professional development, particularly the mandatory equity training for teachers involved in curriculum writing. This training ensures that curricula are inclusive and representative, with a focus on equitable assessment practices and resource selection. Additionally, Understanding by Design (UbD) training was highlighted, which guides educators in outlining essential questions, objectives, and assessments for their units of study.

The meeting also addressed new legislative mandates on literacy, requiring the district to implement assessments for K-3 students to identify reading challenges early. The district plans to introduce a secondary screener specifically for K-3 to ensure early intervention, a strategy believed to lead to better reading outcomes for students. This complements the ongoing training in the Orton-Gillingham approach for K-5 teachers, aimed at enhancing foundational literacy skills.

Infrastructure improvements were another focal point, with reports on the completion of referendum projects, including upgrades to media centers at Maurice Hawk and Village Elementary Schools. These enhancements are expected to be ready for occupancy by summer. The district nursing services plan for the 2024-2025 school year was reviewed, highlighting its importance in supporting student health services and emergency management.

The finance committee provided updates on construction projects, including water remediation efforts and enhancements to media centers and playgrounds, funded by local recreation grants. A discussion involved the Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP), with a proposed energy agreement that locks in a rate of 5.95 cents per kilowatt for 15 years. This initiative, presented by Dan Rigle from Snyder Electric, emphasizes cost coverage through utility savings, with contingencies outlined for potential project cancellations.

During the meeting, the board voted on several administrative, curriculum, and finance items. Notable approvals included professional development contracts and the disposal of 4,000 obsolete instructional materials from various media centers. Acknowledgments were made for the retirement of Norine West, a teacher resource specialist with over 30 years of service.