Jean Briggs

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and the Pledge of Allegiance. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the 'Friend of Seafford' awards to Marshall Windley, and Julius and Natasha Mullen, recognizing their long-term contributions of gifts, financial support, and service to the district's students. Administrative updates included a report on the visit from the Secretary of Education and Governor to a school to demonstrate data-informed instruction. Board members shared updates regarding Veterans Day and participation in a webinar series on successful board and superintendent dynamics. Several policy reviews and updates were discussed, including revisions to regulations concerning public concerns and complaints, professional staff leaves and absences, and school board meeting regulations, particularly noting updates required by recent legislation concerning paid family leave and removing the requirement for leave to be consecutive. Public engagement sessions for the PEFC work were also discussed.

The meeting included an opening at 6:00 p.m. and the approval of the agenda. Presentations focused on the accomplishments of the middle school football team, which finished the season undefeated (7-0). The FFA program provided updates on several projects, including harvesting significant amounts of produce (cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins) from the Mr. Scott memorial garden and the successful landscape design and installation project at the middle school, involving student design work. The FFA program also detailed efforts in environmental conservation, such as managing a wood duck box program in Maryland (collecting 65 eggs across eight boxes) and collaborating with biologists from the Maryland DNR and Waterfall Biologist. Additionally, students earned Ducks Unlimited certifications, and the landscaping class assisted with tree planting at Jness. The hydroponic program, now in its third year, yielded over 30 pounds of lettuce, and students are enrolling in a new dual-credit hydroponics class. The archery program reported on student certifications and plans to utilize 3D targets from the Nashville Sportsman Club. A representative from Community Bank Del presented initiatives, including funding financial literacy training for Seaford School Districts using the Ramsey Solutions curriculum and establishing a program to donate funds to affiliated booster clubs that bank with them.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussion points included the superintendent's communications regarding the success of the new one-lunch schedule, which positively impacted student decompression and reduced discipline issues, as well as updates on curriculum purchases, DelTech classes, and recent donations for music, art supplies, and the senior lounge. Policy reviews were conducted for staff political activities regulation and personnel regulation, both presented for review with no immediate changes recommended, although revisions for the personnel regulation are anticipated next month. The board approved several action items, including school choice applications (approving applications 202655 through 202662 and denying 202663 through 202667), three field trips for NJROTC and social studies students, approval of a facility use request for a Hispanic Community Prayer event (with a date correction), the second reading of the communicable infectious disease policy, and the second reading of the district title nine policy, which included an address change due to the closure of the Philadelphia civil rights office. Finally, the board approved the FY26 PAR educator salary schedule after clarifying the structure for supplemental pay based on state code and local bargaining agreements.

The meeting included approval of the agenda and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussion points involved approving minutes from a prior meeting (July 15th) and the July 24, 2025 order. Committee appointments were made for the DSBA Board of Directors and the DSBA Legislative Committee. Discussions also covered board commitments and priorities, adding a fifth priority focused on clear and frequent communication with stakeholders. Several regulations for support staff salaries and absences (related to policy GDVA and Delaware paid family leave) were reviewed, along with regulations concerning student library material clearance prior to commencement. Action items included approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Support Staff Association, which involved adjusting bus driver salaries to meet state compliance, and approving the annual athletic ticket prices, which remained unchanged from the previous year.

The meeting covered multiple key areas including the approval of the agenda and the Pledge of Allegiance. Public comments focused on two main concerns: the timely reporting of student absences and the current capacity and effectiveness of the gifted and talented program, with a speaker questioning if the current model meets state standards and best practices, especially given concerns about student boredom and poverty levels. A principal provided an update on high school academic offerings, highlighting success in dual enrollment programs (with Deltech and University of Delaware) showing a 99% pass rate, and the introduction of on-site college acceptances by PSU State. Career readiness through CTE programs was also discussed, including student success in paraprofessional and CNA certification courses. Finally, the Superintendent reported on recent athletic achievements, including a Southern Division Championship and a Hen Conference Championship appearance, and celebrated two schools being named 2026 Schools of Continued Excellence. The Superintendent also shared positive takeaways from attending a national superintendent conference.