Christopher Butler

The strategic plan for Florence Township School District focuses on increasing student achievement and social-emotional well-being, promoting health and wellness for students, staff, and the community, cultivating stable funding for facilities and technology, embracing diversity and equity, and building strong partnerships through communication and community engagement. The plan aims to develop independent, creative, and successful individuals who are ethical and responsible members of society.

The board discussed the approval of the agenda and special meeting minutes, including the annual organization meeting, work session, and regular meeting. The student body representative highlighted student activities in February, such as service projects, spirit days, and kindness week. The board also discussed community forum guidelines, student achievements, and updates on COVID-19 cases in schools. The board considered updates to the reopening plan, enrollment statistics, suspension statistics, and the appointment of a new board member. Mask updates, contract administration, finance and budget, personnel administration, curriculum instruction, and policies and procedures were also reviewed.

The meeting included a pledge, approval of the agenda, and a review of student achievements, including musical performances and community service. There was a discussion regarding public comment on agenda items, recognition of students of the month, and highlights from third graders. The board also discussed a report, enrollment and suspension statistics, contract resolutions, finance resolutions, personnel administration, curriculum instruction, and policies and procedures. Additional topics included community forums, assistant principal and athletic director positions, mass mandates, board retreat dates, and filling a board vacancy.

The meeting included recognition of students of the month from the high school, riverfront, and roebling manor banner. The board discussed and accepted suspension statistics. Motions were passed for contracts, finance, personnel administration resolutions, curriculum instruction resolutions, and policy and procedures resolutions. There were discussions regarding the music program in schools, including the possibility of adding AP music theory and jazz band, and making the part-time music teacher position at Riverfront full-time. A community member expressed concerns about a fire drill that went forward as scheduled after the stressful week, and another community member mentioned about the minutes of board of education meetings.

The meeting agenda is different than in the past and is now very long. The new template is the result of the collective board's work at recent meetings and retreats. The goal is to streamline the process and maintain as much transparency as possible. The meeting included a presentation for the 22-23 budget, which was accepted through the county office as submitted. The goals for the year were to fully reopen the district and focus on social emotional learning and academics. The district also focused on strategic planning and facility upgrades, including roof replacement and flooring projects. Looking ahead to 2022-23, the focus will be on how students are managing and reacting to a new approach to the classroom setting based on social emotional learning and academic needs. The goal is to maintain class sizes and expand part-time positions to full-time in related arts classes. The meeting also recognized students of the month.