Crystal L. Martin

The document outlines the mission, vision, and values, emphasizing high-quality, relevant education based on state and national standards. It aims to develop thoughtful, curious, and resilient citizens prepared for a changing global community. Core values include student success, a positive learning environment, financial accountability, professional excellence, community partnerships, and mutual respect. Key principles focus on positive relationships with staff, comprehensive student growth, aligned instruction, and the value of arts education.

The Littleton School District's philosophy centers around fostering a passion for learning, developing self-directed and literate individuals, promoting continuous self-improvement, and preparing students to be responsible and contributing members of society. The district aims to cultivate informed decision-makers and lifelong learners through an educational process that integrates social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. The approach emphasizes sensitivity to transitions between schools and responsiveness to community values and needs. The district strives to provide comprehensive, flexible, and increasingly complex curricula.

The session focused on several key articles. Article 2, proposing a $36,238,179 bond for a new elementary school, was discussed extensively, including the number of classrooms, potential cost savings from selling the current building, and the tax impact. Amendments were made to include the location of the new school. Article 3, the operating budget, was also reviewed, addressing cost per student. Article 4, concerning a collective bargaining agreement with support staff, was presented, detailing salary and benefit increases and their tax implications. Articles 5 and 6, respectively addressing a special meeting for a defeated support agreement and a fund transfer for school facilities, were also approved.

The budget hearing focused on warrant article 2, a $36,238,179 bond proposal for constructing a new Lakeway Elementary School. A presentation detailed the project's need, including the school's outdated facilities and the benefits of a new building. Discussion covered the bond's cost, interest rate (estimated at 4.25%, potentially lower with a July sale), tax impact, and comparisons to alternative solutions like renovation. Other warrant articles addressed operating budgets, collective bargaining agreements, and fund transfers. The meeting also included a regular board meeting where the board voted on each warrant article.

The session focused on several key articles. Article 1 concerned the election of school district officials. Article 2 addressed the operating budget, including discussion of a teacher residency program, the allocation of funds for school board members, and concerns about student food and out-of-district tuition. Article 3 covered the collective bargaining agreement with the Littleton Teacher Association, outlining salary and benefit increases. Article 4 dealt with a special meeting to address the teacher agreement if Article 3 failed. Articles 5 and 6 proposed transferring funds from the fund balance to the district equipment and facilities maintenance capital reserve funds, respectively. Article 7 discussed extending the terms of the clerk, moderator, and treasurer positions from one to three years. A reconsideration of Article 2 was also conducted, with further discussion on the number of district vans and the use of Myers Transportation.