Octavia Lee

Key discussions and actions for this meeting included presentations on Students of the Month and High School Academies. The agenda included reports from the Superintendent and various Board Committees (Policy & Curriculum, Finance & Physical Plant, Human Resources & Negotiation, Executive, Strategic Planning). Consent Agenda items involved the acceptance and approval of Business Office Reports (including Bill List and Treasurer Reports for December 2025), Enrollment, Fire & Safety Drills, Health Reports, and HIB/SSDS reports for January 2026. Policy and Curriculum actions approved the second reading of new Sexual Harassment policies, a revised policy on the Use of School Facilities, the 2026 Summer Program for the Palmyra Child Care Program (PCCP), approval for students to attend the BCSL Sportsmanship Summit, and the approval/acceptance of several fundraisers and field trips for the coming months. Business, Finance, and Operations items included certifications regarding account expenditures, acceptance of agreements with PSE&G and Univest Banking, approval for residency investigations, a major purchase to repave a parking lot, acceptance of homebound instruction extensions, awards for Professional Service contracts for the 2025-2026 year, and approval for a lease-to-purchase agreement for new technology hardware (Chromebooks and desktops). Personnel actions involved the approval of substitute staff, acceptance of a retirement notice, appointments for a Child Study Team Secretary and a part-time secretary, and approval for staff to attend training for the Audio-Visual Technician position.

The agenda for this board retreat focused primarily on the strategic planning process. Key discussion points included reviewing the draft Mission, Vision, and Beliefs, and examining proposed Strategic Focus areas. The board was scheduled to finalize the District Goals, refine the Measures of Success and Indicators, and provide direction to the Strategic Planning Committee regarding the drafting and timeline for the official Strategic Plan. A closed session was planned to discuss matters related to employment, appointment, termination, or evaluation of specific public officers or employees.

The primary focus of this Board Retreat agenda was the strategic planning process. Key discussion topics included reviewing the draft Mission, Vision, and Beliefs, examining proposed Strategic Focus areas, and the discussion and refinement of District Goals, ensuring alignment with District Priorities and Student Outcomes. The board also planned to finalize Indicators and Measures of Success and provide direction to the Strategic Planning Committee, authorizing them to begin drafting the Strategic Plan with established timelines. A portion of the meeting was allocated for public comments and a scheduled Closed Session to discuss matters related to the employment, appointment, termination, evaluation, promotion, or discipline of specific public officers or employees.

Key discussion topics during the executive session included the review of new proposed facility rates, a new proposed hourly rate for an audio visual technician, and an option available to the board concerning funds accrued from the recent bond sale interest. Other matters discussed were a secretary's retirement, the appointment of that secretary's replacement, a recent teacher resignation, scheduling the approval of Professional Services for the next Board of Education meeting, maintaining the allowance for 6th graders to participate in middle school sports, and restructuring the method of teaching Special Education at the Charles Street School. The Superintendent also received performance feedback from a board member.

The meeting agenda included presentations for Students of the Month and Teachers and Educational Services Professionals of the Year, followed by reports from the Superintendent and Board Committees (Policy & Curriculum, Finance & Physical Plant, Human Resources & Negotiation, Executive, Strategic Planning). Key actions under the Consent Agenda involved accepting various financial reports, enrollment data, and approving travel and professional development. Significant policy discussions included the second reading and approval of new policies related to Library Material, first readings of policies on Sexual Harassment, and revisions to existing policies. Business and Finance items covered the approval of large purchases for boiler replacement at Palmyra High School and a new Fire Alarm System for Delaware Avenue School. Personnel actions included accepting a retirement, approving substitute personnel, and approving additional instructional periods and compensation for existing staff members.