Kelly Emerson

The Work Session agenda covered several administrative and operational topics. Key discussions included the adherence to the District Mission, Goals, and Core Values, along with protocol reminders for Board members. The agenda allotted time for public comment according to established policy. Business Department topics included a Quarterly BtA & Process Information review. The Superintendent's Report addressed Referendum Invoices, the CESA #11 2026-27 Shared Service Contract, a State Legislative Update, and a Leadership Cohort Update. The Consent Agenda items recommended for approval included Personnel Updates for general staff and Athletics/Activities staff, as well as an update on the Sick Bank.

Key discussions during the meeting included a Spartan Spotlight segment recognizing an Executive Assistant preparing for maternity leave and a report from the School Resource Officer detailing their duties and providing documentation on school calls. Reports covered the Listening Session summary (with no attendees present), a Superintendent Update addressing referendum invoices, financial reports, and enrollment reports, including planning for kindergarten enrollment increases and census work. Items for approval included the 2026-27 High School Course Offerings Update, WASB Resolutions (one concerning the decoupling of public and private school funding passed 6 to 1), Open Enrollment Space Determination, the 2026-27 District Calendar Final Draft, and 2027 Summer School Dates. The Consent Agenda covered personnel updates, board bills, and donations. General Information announced future meeting dates, with a motion carried to change the February 16 Regular Session start time to 5 PM and cancel the Listening Session, as the Superintendent would be virtual for safety training.

The work session addressed several key agenda items. Topics included reviewing information regarding a petition to alter school district boundaries, which will be revisited at the next meeting. A presentation was given by Baker Tilly covering the 2025 Financial Statement Highlights, General Fund details, Fund Balance, and a summary of the full audit. The board also discussed the 2026-27 budget update, focusing on revenue limits, CPI, and increasing costs across areas like health insurance, energy, and snow removal. A report was provided on the WASB Delegate Assembly, including feedback on various resolutions and sessions attended by delegates. Finally, the board conducted a first reading for NEOLA Policy Update #34.2, which included numerous policy definitions and revisions, and reviewed proposed adoptions for policies 5130 and 7455. The Superintendent's report covered referendum invoices, contract options, and a rounding update.

The regular session meeting included the call to order followed by the pledge of allegiance. A key agenda item, the Spartan Spotlight, featured a presentation by Brandon Barry regarding the virtual learning program. The presentation covered the history, current status (a 612 asynchronous program aligned with the district calendar but without snow days), and future vision for the program. Discussion points included flexible entry/exit policies (except for the last 20 days of the semester), maintaining academic progress standards by returning underperforming students to in-person instruction, alignment of core courses with in-person curriculum scope and sequence, and the use of Egenuity as the program provider. The board also discussed the enhancement of using district teachers as facilitators, which allows for greater flexibility in student entry mid-semester, contrasted with the limitations of using only Egenuity teachers. Enrollment history since the program's start in August 2020 was reviewed, noting a large cohort during COVID-19 and subsequent stabilization. Unique benefits discussed included rigorous grade and progress monitoring, and accommodations for AP/CIS courses and school-to-work programs, while generally prohibiting hybrid enrollment in specific core courses. The future vision entails aligning virtual and in-person courses to be the same, requiring increased staff support.

The meeting involved the approval of the agenda and a public comment period concerning a petition filed by Jacob and Molly Hows to detach property from the Somerset School District and attach it to the Hudson School District. The presenters discussed the geographical layout of the property and the petitioners' reasons, which centered on accommodating their son's visual impairment and connecting the family to Hudson community activities like sports. The board deferred action on the petition until the next meeting. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to a presentation by Baker Tilly regarding the fiscal 2025 audit. The audit resulted in an unmodified opinion, the highest possible rating for financial statements. However, two material weaknesses were noted: inadequate segregation of duties concerning payroll controls and the financial statement close process, as the district relies on external auditors for preparation. Two significant deficiencies were noted during the federal and state awards review, specifically related to inadequate review controls over quarterly financial reports for the Medicaid program (SPS monies) and the special education program.