Anne Bowers

The meeting featured highlights of student and staff achievements across the district, including recognition for a teacher finalist in the Golden Apple Awards, successful student charity drives, and student athletic performances. The Board discussed school improvement goals, specifically focusing on the implementation of structured cooperative learning techniques to enhance student engagement and accountability. The superintendent and staff presented data on student reading growth and principal walkthroughs to assess the effectiveness of these pedagogical strategies. Additionally, the Board reviewed strategies for fostering a positive school culture, including mindfulness practices, positive communication with families, and student recognition programs.

The Board discussed various administrative and educational matters, including a review of personnel, financial, and budget-related topics. Key actions included the approval of the school calendar for the upcoming academic year, the purchase of curriculum materials for the English Language Development program, and a review of closed session minutes. The Board also discussed the Jefferson Gifted Science and Social Studies program, the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee, revenue assumptions, the fee schedule, employee benefits renewal, and the Capital Improvement Plan. Additionally, the Board received a school improvement update, reviewed Freedom of Information Act requests, and addressed the relocation of an election voting site.

The Board convened with a closed session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss confidential employee matters, returning to open session at 7:40 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by district kindergarten students, the consent agenda, including the Treasurer's Report for December 2025, was approved. The Superintendent provided a Mid-Year Academic Transformation Plan Update. A significant portion of the public comment period was dedicated to discussions regarding gifted science and social studies programs at Jefferson Junior High, concerns over raising identification cut scores, and general gifted program status. The February Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) report was presented.

The meeting included a closed session to discuss collective negotiating matters, salary schedules, potential litigation, and personnel matters, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by 8th-grade students. District highlights included administrators reading to elementary classrooms and a donation of coats and boots from the Roadrunners Soccer Club. Key action items involved the approval of several board policies, including those related to Attendance and Truancy (5200), Wellness (6130), and Acceptable Use Standards (6420). The Board also approved the E-Rate Purchase Plan and expenses from the 2025 Joint Conference. Discussion topics included the 2026-2027 budget timeline, the Five Year Financial Forecast, the Investment Program Review, the proposed 2026-2027 School Calendar, and the Superintendent Evaluation Process. Personnel actions included noting resignations and leaves of absence.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by introduced students. Key discussion points included District 68 highlights, such as a student winning the spelling bee championship. A major focus was on the School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals, particularly prioritizing retrieval practice with a target of 90% teacher utilization, showing current usage at 67%. Another SIP goal involved using the CLEAR protocol for planning Math and ELA units to ensure consistency, aiming for 50% unit completion by year-end. Updates on the school's targeted status involved data evaluation, drafting goals for the next school year, and implementing strategies to combat high absenteeism, like the 'digital power down' of Chromebooks. The board also reviewed a gifted audit, focusing on identification procedures and program recommendations, including building norms versus district norms.