Melissa Gallagher

The meeting included a public session followed by an executive session to discuss personnel, legal matters, and contractual items. Key topics during the board work session involved a presentation on the Mid-Year Progress on District Goals by the Superintendent, School Board Ethics Training, discussion of Policy 0167 regarding public participation, setting a proposed date for the Board Retreat, review of the February 10, 2026 draft agenda, tentative discussion of the Draft 2026-2027 District Calendar, and discussion of Transportation for the 2026-2027 School Year. Public comment periods were allocated for agenda items and general topics.

The meeting included an address from the newly elected board president emphasizing the importance of education for cultural survival and commitment to the community's needs. The Superintendent recognized January as School Board Recognition Month and thanked the board for their service. Discussions covered upcoming calendar changes, including an early dismissal day for students for professional development and school closure for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A reminder was issued regarding precautions against the seasonal flu. A resolution was approved recognizing the contributions of local school board members during School Board Recognition Month for January 2026. Presentations featured the acknowledgment of several "Student of the Month" award recipients from George J. Mitchell, Frog Pond Elementary, and other schools, based on the character trait of "caring." Additionally, a presentation was given on the Student Safety Data System (SSDS) submission for reporting period 1 (September 1st through December 31st), detailing investigations, discipline incidents like violence and vandalism, and the documentation of trainings related to harassment, bullying, and de-escalation techniques (CPI training) across the district schools.

The meeting commenced with the official announcement of election results for the board seats, followed by the administration of the oath of office to the newly elected members. A significant portion of the meeting involved the election of board officers, specifically the board president and vice president. Chris Vichello was nominated and elected as the board president. Following tie votes and subsequent procedural discussions regarding policy 0152, nominations for vice president (Laura Ber and Christine Snider) did not carry, leading to a recommendation to involve the county superintendent pending the next meeting. The board also adopted the code of ethics for school board members, which was read aloud by group consensus. Discussions then moved to the board work session concerning the proposal of 2026 board meeting dates, with a request to consistently start meetings at 6 p.m.

The agenda for the annual reorganization meeting included several administrative items. Key discussions and resolutions covered the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members (Chris Filiciello, Christine Snyder, and Tiffany Middlecoop following the November 4, 2025 election). The agenda also called for the election of a Board President and Vice President, the adoption of the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, and a Board Work Session to discuss 2026 Board Meeting Dates and Committee Sign Up. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the designation of official newspapers, parliamentary procedures (adopting Robert's Rules of Order), designation of banking depositories and authorized check signatories, approval of the travel and related expense reimbursement resolution, and district appointments for 2026, including the Business Administrator as Custodian of School Records and Public Agency Compliance Officer. Professional appointments for 2026, covering services like the Board Auditor and various insurance brokers, were also slated for approval.

The agenda for the meeting included an Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Legal Matters. Key public discussions involved a Public Hearing on Policy #2361 (Acceptable Use of Computer Network/Computers and Resources) and informational updates regarding correspondence, enrollment/suspension totals, and fire/emergency drill reports. The Board Work Session included an update from the Board President. The Superintendent's Report involved approving a School Board Recognition Resolution for January 2026 and presentations, including SSDS Reporting Period #1. Action items covered finance matters such as approving bills, monthly certifications for November 2025, and payroll for December 2025; facility requests; non-personnel actions including donations, travel reimbursement, and a transportation jointure. Personnel actions involved accepting retirements and resignations, and approving various appointments for stipend positions, LEHTEA positions, part-time paraprofessionals, bus drivers, bus aides, and a per diem administrator. Further non-personnel actions included accepting Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying reports, approving the Bi-Annual Statement of Assurance Regarding the Use of Paraprofessional Staff, the Health and Safety Evaluations Statement of Assurance, the SSDS submission for reporting period #1, and the approval of policies and regulations for first and second readings (including revisions to policies on Resource Materials, Library Material, and Public Complaints). The latter part of the agenda addressed a Board Member vacancy interview, nomination, and oath, followed by the nomination and vote for Board Vice President.