Monica Wells

The meeting began with the swearing-in of board members and officers, including the President, Deputy Clerk, Vice President, and Treasurer. Discussions followed regarding the procedures for public participation, emphasizing the 30-minute time limit for comments on items pertaining to education or district operation, and explicitly stating that administrative staff would not respond to questions and no votes would be taken on matters not specifically listed on the agenda. Multiple community members addressed the board, focusing heavily on praising the current high school administration for their involvement with students, staff, and parents, fostering a family atmosphere, and providing exceptional support. Specific positive examples included the administration assisting a former student to complete required credits to graduate and implementing programs like 'Breaking Down the Walls' to improve student relations.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included presentations and recognition for the IGA High School Jazz Band, which was celebrated as state champions. Following this, recognition was given to the school's Teacher of the Year nominees and the district Teacher of the Year. A presentation detailed the proposed Ula Public Schools' new teacher induction program, focusing on providing mentoring relationships, instructional coaching via the Jim Knight impact cycle structure, and support systems for first and second-year teachers. Financial discussions covered the presentation of cash balances and an overview of RCD bank accounts, noting that financial presentation methods will evolve over time.

The meeting included a detailed presentation and discussion of the 2022-2023 School Audit by Bloedorn CPA LLP. The auditors issued a qualified opinion on the regulatory basis of accounting and an adverse opinion on GAAP accounting, explaining these findings were due to adherence to state requirements rather than internal errors. The report on internal control and compliance showed no major findings. Financial discussions centered on the General Fund, noting actual revenues of $14,590,292 and expenditures of $14,228,194, resulting in an ending fund balance decrease. The Special Revenue (Building Fund) statement showed revenues of $888,000 and expenditures of $993,199, leading to a decrease in the ending balance. Significant focus was placed on investment earnings, projecting approximately $775,000 earned from smart management of funds awaiting expenditure, which could support planned salary increases for support staff. Furthermore, Child Nutrition financials were reviewed, showing an improvement from a $101,000 loss last year to an $87,000 increase this year so far. A major agenda item involved a presentation by high school student council members regarding their proposal for the first annual 'Strive To Achieve New Goals' (STANG) Week in March, a fundraising event themed around Disney, intended to raise money for a local Make-A-Wish child within the district.

The board meeting involved several reports and discussions. Key topics included the Treasurer's report detailing bank balance trends from July 2023 to August 2024, and introductions of new administrative and teaching staff across various grade levels. Discussions covered the presentation of the annual remediation report, noting a 2023 graduation rate of 96.5% and a 2024 rate of 97.8%, alongside efforts to support students who did not graduate in the standard timeframe. Furthermore, the board addressed the approval of technical classes for high school credit through Northeast Tech, which are necessary due to scheduling constraints with standard graduation requirements. The Assistant Superintendent reported on mandated professional development progress, federal program allocations (which were generally flat, though school security funding decreased slightly but arrived upfront this year), and planning for security expenditures prioritizing doors, cameras, and window coverings. The Superintendent also reported on a successful accreditation meeting with the new AEO, who provided positive feedback on the district's organization, and confirmed that Title 9 training for administrators was completed, with contingency plans in place for potential regulatory shifts following the November election. Financial sheets were presented showing increased revenue.

The meeting included a presentation on developing social media content showcasing monthly district activities. Discussions covered operations, safety, and security enhancements, including quotes for new magnetic locks, keyless entry systems, and GPS trackers for vehicles. Financial updates reviewed interest earned on money market accounts, noting a significant increase in the first payday payment compared to the previous year, while current fund balances were lower due to bond sales. Federal programs updates focused on completing the Consolidated Application, with assistance noted from support staff. The annual Title I meeting outcomes were reviewed. Teaching and learning discussions centered on analyzing end-of-year assessment data (NWEA and State Testing). Key concerns identified were the lack of a consistent data source across Pre-K through 12th grade, particularly between the middle and high school transitions, and stagnant overall student achievement growth year-over-year, despite generally acceptable NWEA growth metric attainment. State testing data analysis highlighted the inconsistency in defining proficiency levels annually and concerns about low student performance in ACT scores relative to college and career readiness benchmarks. To address these findings, approval was sought for purchasing Pre-ACT assessments for 8th and 9th grades. Literacy plans emphasized Tier 1 instruction focus for lower grades, RTI/Tier 2/Tier 3 intervention for struggling readers in upper elementary, and systematic focus on writing and academic vocabulary development across secondary levels, including developing a style guide for cross-curricular writing assessment.