The presentation by students from School Three celebrating Women’s History Month was a highlight of the Winslow School Board meeting. The students each portrayed a historical figure, delivering speeches about their achievements and impact. The principal of School Three and a board member voiced their admiration for the students’ performance, drawing attention to the inspiration provided by their presentations. The support of the students’ parents was also acknowledged, with board members commending their role in the students’ accomplishments.

Following the presentations, the board announced the winners of the annual Young Chefs Competition, a moment of recognition for the culinary talents within the school district. These two instances of student recognition underscored a meeting focused on student achievements, providing a celebratory atmosphere for the attendees.

In addition to the celebrations, a portion of the meeting was dedicated to a board ethics training session. The presentation underscored the code of ethics that guides the behavior of board members to maintain public trust and confidence. Emphasized during the session was the importance for board members to focus on policy making, planning, and appraisal. The board discussed the need to consult with all stakeholders before framing policies and plans and the necessity of maintaining confidentiality.

Several ethics cases were presented, involving scenarios where board members could potentially compromise the board by taking private actions, conducting unauthorized investigations, or using their position for personal gain. The potential repercussions for violating the code of ethics, such as suspension and removal from the board, were also covered. Board members were reminded to consult with the board attorney to avoid compromising situations.

The meeting proceeded with committee reports that provided insight into the school district’s ongoing activities and concerns. The Education Committee reported on the recent school play, “Beauty and the Beast,” praising the professionalism of the students and noting the high attendance at the event. The Operations Committee discussed the capital projects at the high school, specifically pointing out the need to address the deteriorating condition of a door. The Policy Committee mentioned the rescheduling of its meetings due to the upcoming holidays.

The Superintendent’s report included a discussion on grants and additional funding received for the high school, emphasizing the importance of showing improvement to qualify for such funding. Additionally, the Business Administrative Board Secretary’s report listed donations received, extending gratitude to the donors, and the Personnel report was approved.

The board also touched upon the importance of completing financial reports and board self-evaluations before the end of the school year and discussed the upcoming spring break. During the public comments section, community members expressed their thoughts on the conduct of board meetings and the value of citizen input.

To conclude the meeting, the board voted to enter into an executive session to discuss matters related to attorney privilege and issues concerning the booster club. It was estimated that the session would last between 20 to 30 minutes, with the possibility of action being taken afterward.