2/25/19 School Board Meeting Guide

What happened at last night’s school board meeting, you ask? Here’s a guide to the highlights, along with links to video so you can watch yourself.

New Elementary School Report Cards: The district plans to go from quarterly to trimester grading periods for grades K-5, along with changing what is being reported on report cards and how teachers communicate with parents about their child’s progress more generally. Watch here.

The 2019-2020 Academic Calendar: The administration presented a draft schedule for the next school year. Board members offered lots of input, with the consensus being we needed to better address potential snow days. The board will vote on a revised final schedule next meeting. Watch here.

Technology Plan: Next year will be the third and final phase of implementing the district’s technology plan, bringing iPads or laptops to every student district wide. Watch here.

Budget Request for Instructional Tech Specialist: The administration outlined its rationale for requesting a new instructional technology specialist in next year’s budget. This is a teaching position and would be just the third such specialist in the district. A key rationale for the new hire is ensuring that the district’s substantial technology plan investment is well used and translates into improved student learning. The minimum cost of the position in salary and benefits is $90,000. Watch here.

Budget Request for New Elementary English Materials: The administration introduced its proposal to purchase a new reading and writing program, as well as new assessment system, for kindergarten, first, and second grades. The new system would provide more distinctions between student reading levels within each grade, more suggestions to teachers on how to address specific student needs, and better assessment of reading comprehension skills. The cost of the materials is $180,000. Watch here.

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